Headline: Alberta T. and M. R. League
To the Editor of The Mirror
Dear Sir: - I was pleased to see the letter from Mr. Coone in your issue dated 11th instant, saying that the Alberta Temperance and Moral Reform League had authorized no persons to lecture in the this district on their behalf.
I strongly object to every Tom, Dick or Harry, who wishes to bring himself before the lime-light, demanding the use of the school-house, calling for a good collection, and leaving without offering to pay expenses, notwithstanding that extra cost is entailed on the taxpayer for light, heat and cleaning.
Personally, I am against the "Boy and the Bottle movement." It may work in big cities, but I have my doubts. It is all very well to say if stimulants are neccessary they can be obtained from a druggist, but, in a country like this, where the majority of the inhabitants live miles away from any place where there is a druggist it would, I consider, be a positive crime to pass a total prohibition act.
All kinds of extra expenses would be entailed to be added to the already heavy taxes, for the upkeep of officials to kill "blind pigs", and there would be more crime. Remember the proverb - "Stolen fruit is always the sweetest."
Our forefathers drank beer with every meal and it's a pity we don't. They were a hardier and better race than the present one, and there was not nearly so much drunkenness then.
Yours for free rights,
Alfred E.S. Edmonds
High Vale, 19 March, 1915.
