DESPERATE MEASURES

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 1, 1881

DESPERATE MEASURES.

The liquor dealers are in a desperate strait, and are about to resort to desperate measures to accomplish their ends. The Michigan Liquor Dealers' Protective Association, organized with such profound secrecy, but subsequently heralded with flourish of trumpets, having utterly failed of its purpose, is now regarded with suspicion by many of its members. The sum of $16,000 was raised in the State for “protective” purposes; local organizations were perfected in almost every town; bulldozers, lobbyists, and solicitors were employed, committees appointed, and regular meetings held, but thus far all to no purpose. The fight began long before last election, and in a few districts resulted in victory for whisky, but in most districts in the State the temperance people laid out the whisky candidates. As a result, the legislature is composed largely of temperance men who, during the session have fought the liquor men might and main, and if not exactly conquering have more than held their own. The “protective association” adopted every means to protect its members, and used money unsparingly. Of the $16,000 raised, less than $2,000 now remains in the treasury, and no satisfactory results having been accomplished, some of the members are moved with a spirit of inquiry as to where the money went.

The association having failed in its objects, the more prominent liquor dealers, disgruntled at the old association, are now engaged in organizing a society to be known as the “Brewers’ and Saloon Keepers’ Nihilist Confederation,” and the proposition is to resort to the most desperate measures for the preservation of their “rights.” Incredulous readers may smile at this, but the News is in possession of indisputable proof of their intentions. Meetings are now held almost daily, and names are being enrolled as fast as the examining committee can satisfy themselves of the trustworthiness and pluck of members. The greatest precaution is used in approaching saloonists and unfolding the scheme, for men are not naturally desperadoes because they sell whisky, and all are not quite prepared to burn the property of, or inflict personal injury upon prohibitionists or those who oppose them. The greatest circumspection, therefore, is exercised by the committee in the selection of members. However, some of the most prominent liquor men of the city are enrolled and will soon be sworn in, and the organization is being extended throughout the State and country. Money is being subscribed and will be paid to the treasurer as soon as the formal organization takes place and that official is elected, which will be in a few days. Proceedings of the “confederation” will be secret, and members will be bound by a solemn oath to annihilate any “brother” who breaks his oath and divulges any of the secrets of the order. Stubborn legislative “temperenzlers” will be summarily dealt with. They will be warned, and if the warning is not heeded the nihilists will act. Their property will be destroyed as a hint of what will follow.—Lever.