From Wealth to Poverty; Or, the Tricks of the Traffic. A Story of the Drink CursePotter, Austin
General
From Wealth to Poverty; Or, the Tricks of the Traffic. A Story of the Drink Curse
Potter, Austin
Temperance -- Fiction
"The next thing to do," said Capt. Flannigan, "is to hire all the
busses in the town; and all the rigs that can be secured in the
county, then run them on the day of the election. We must spare no
expense, for we will get all the backing we want. This is a test
county, and the eyes of the whole of Canada are upon us, and the
association knows it will pay to spend money here, for if we
succeed in carrying the repeal in this place it will deter other
counties from trying it, thus it will save thousands of dollars in
the end."
"I am instructed by the president of the association," said Rivers,
"to say that we need not spare expense for either speakers, horse
hire, or liquor, if the money is judiciously distributed. So you
see we need not be afraid to go ahead, as we shall have good
backing."
"I move a vote of thanks to the association for its generous
offer," said Joe Porter.
"I second the motion," said Michael Maloney, the keeper of a low
groggery in the purlieus of the town.
The others present, who held both the mover and seconder in
contempt, would much rather the initiative had been taken in this
matter by men of little more respectability--for there is such a
thing as caste even among grog-sellers--but as Porter and Maloney
had taken the matter into their own hands, the others, though with
bad grace, had to accept the situation, and it was put and carried
unanimously.
That night the whole scheme was mapped out. What men could be
approached, and who could best influence certain voters. They also
decided how much each would be called upon to sacrifice, that the
necessary ammunition might be furnished to carry on the campaign,
and how much would be required from the funds of the "association."
Captain McWriggler, the expected M.P., announced that a celebrated
speaker from the west who, like himself, was a candidate for
parliamentary honors, had intimated to him his willingness to assist
them in the campaign, if his services were required. This announcement
was received with uproarious applause, and it was moved, seconded,
and unanimously carried, that this magnanimous offer be accepted
with thanks.
That night the usual banquet was held, and all those who were
present in the afternoon, and a great many invited guests who, of
course, were sympathizers, were also present. Among others Judge
McGullett was toasted because of his fearless, upright, and
impartial decisions, and Captain Flannigan sang, "He's a jolly
good fellow," etc., the others joining in the chorus.
Their drunken orgies were continued into the small hours the
following morning. It is not, I suppose, necessary to state that
during this period there were numerous songs sung--some of which,
to say the least, were not of a high moral order--and speeches
were delivered whose senselessness were only equalled by their
blatant untruthfulness, when attacking men and women who were
working and suffering for the welfare of their fellow-men, and the
honor and glory of God.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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