Temperance | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 28, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 33.

Temperance.

Prohibition in Iowa.

A CLERGYMAN of Fairfield, Iowa, sends to the Independent a report of the working of the new prohibitory law in Iowa, from which we take the following:—

“So far as can be learned, about five-sixths of the saloons and liquor-houses in the State have been closed up. Probably eight-ninths of the population of the State have no open saloon or other drinking-place within easy reach. There are no open saloons, in fact, except in some of the larger cities, such as Burlington, Davenport, Dubuque, and Council Bluffs. And very many of the saloons even in these places are closed. Prosecutions are being brought against those which are open. Liquors are, no doubt, still sold secretly in many places, and will be, most likely, for a while, though the vigilance of the Law and Order Leagues will gradually hunt them out. In a few places there has been turbulent opposition to the enforcement of the law, but not to the extent of loss of life, or even of the serious injury of any one. The most serious demonstrations have occurred at Marshalltown and at Iowa City, though in each case the law has been vindicated completely. But there is no doubt that, in a few places at least, an organized resistance will be made to the enforcement of the law. Liquor men are organizing and raising money for this purpose, and are expecting financial help from their friends outside the State. But the struggle must be a hopeless one. All the better elements of the State are rallying around the law. The churches, the newspapers, the business men, the farmers, the professional men, as a class, are all working for the supremacy of law and order. There will be all due forbearance on their part, even to the extent of long-suffering, but the liquor traffic in Iowa is doomed beyond remedy.”