The Question of the Hour.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 34, 18 November 1899, Page 2

The Question of the Hour.

“ NO LICENSE ” IN UNITED STATES.

an important letter from KANSAS.

Mr Charles H. St. John, Th. 8.M.D., son of J. P. St. John, a former governor of Kansas, under date July 31st, "writes to the United Kingdom Alliance News : —“I am just in receipt of Mr T. P. Whittaker’s reply, and also reply to a rejoinder of Messrs Rowntree and Sberwell’a attack on Prohibition in the U.S.A. I appreciate the same, because it is a refutation of the sophistry and dishonesty of men who •advocate the liquor oligarchy. These gentlemen attempt to prove what no •naan in America who has any standing for truth and fairness would have the temerity to do, that is to say, that Prohibition does not reduce •crime, reduce the number of criminals, murders, thefts, arsons, and crimes generally. It has been my privilege to speak in nearly every State in the Union, and do sonsecutive work in Prohibition as well as no-Prohibition States, and I have found that all classes of moral and intellectual work are more easily accomplished in the States where Prohibition exists either in local or statutory form. “ In Kansas, where I have had my home for more than fifteen years, crime has annually lessened, and it would be impossible to repeal the law after nineteen years’ trial. True some o the larger cities have not obeyed the law, and do not to-day, but the rural and small cities and towns are loyal. Taxes have rapidly decreased, crimes and criminals are oach year less than the previous year. Every argument and money without measure almost has been used to defeat the law, or bring it into bad repute, but our last Legislature sat down on every proposition harder than before. Taxpayers are looking into the problem as never before. The sentiment among the people becomes stronger each year that th© manufacture and sale of strong drink should cease.’