The Signs of the Times
December 4, 1907
Drunkenness and Crime
(Concluded.)
The man who has a vicious beast and who, knowing its disposition, allows it liberty is by the laws of the land held accountable for the evil the beast may do. In the laws given to Israel the Lord directed that when a beast known to be vicious caused the death of a human being, the life of the owner should pay the price of his carelessness or malignity. On the same principle the government that licenses the liquor-seller should be held responsible for the results of his traffic. And if it is a crime worthy of death to give liberty to a vicious beast, how much greater is the crime of sanctioning the work of the liquor-seller! ST December 4, 1907, par. 1
The Liquor Traffic in San Francisco
For a time after the great earthquake along the coast of California, the authorities in San Francisco and in some of the smaller cities and towns ordered the closing of all liquor saloons. So marked were the effects of this strictly-enforced ordinance that the attention of thinking men throughout America, and notably on the Pacific Coast, was directed to the advantages that would result from a permanent closing of all saloons. ST December 4, 1907, par. 2
During many weeks following the earthquake in San Francisco, very little drunkenness was seen. No intoxicating drinks were sold. The disorganized and unsettled state of affairs gave the city officials reason to expect an abnormal increase of disorder and crime, and they were greatly surprised to find the opposite true. Those from whom was expected much trouble, gave but little. This remarkable freedom from violence and crime was largely traceable to the disuse of intoxicants. ST December 4, 1907, par. 3
The editors of some of the leading dailies took the position that it would be for the permanent betterment of society and for the upbuilding of the best interests of the city, were the saloons forever to remain closed. But wise counsel was swept aside, and within a few short weeks permission was given the liquor-dealers to reopen their places of business upon the payment into the city treasury of a license-tax considerably higher than had formerly been paid. ST December 4, 1907, par. 4
In the Outlook of November 3, 1906, the situation is thus described: ST December 4, 1907, par. 5
“During the two months and a half after April 18, San Francisco was probably the most orderly large city in the United States. Violence and crime were practically unknown. During that time the saloons and liquor-stores of the city were closed tight. About the middle of July the saloons were permitted to open again. This action of the city government was accompanied by the expectation on the part of many citizens of an outbreak of violence and disorder. Clergymen, and it is said even the police, advised men and women to carry firearms for their own protection. For the past three months San Francisco has been living under a reign of terror. In eighty days eighty-three murders, robberies, and assaults were registered on the police records. A despatch to “Ridgeway's,” a new weekly periodical, reports the sale in San Francisco during one week in October of over six thousand revolvers. The police have been, and are, powerless to preserve order and protect the city—in the opinion of the best citizens of San Francisco because the heads of the force are corrupt and are doing the will of a corrupt government.” ST December 4, 1907, par. 6
In the calamity that befell San Francisco the Lord designed to wipe out the liquor-saloons that have been the cause of so much evil, so much misery and crime. In legalizing the sale of liquor, the guardians of the public welfare proved unfaithful to their trust. Those who were placed in positions of official responsibility were given opportunity to become thoroughly familiar with the advantages of the closed saloon, but they deliberately chose to enact laws sanctioning the carrying on of the liquor traffic. Did they not know that in doing this they were virtually licensing the commission of crime? ST December 4, 1907, par. 7
Every kind of wickedness continues to be practised in San Francisco. What a record of dishonesty and conniving has been brought to light in the investigations of the action of men in official positions! Are we not almost led to inquire, Whom can we trust? Where can we find men of honor? ST December 4, 1907, par. 8
Thru the liquor traffic Satan is at work to corrupt with his deceiving policies the rulers and the people. As this work is carried on from city to city, the guilt of the whole world will be made manifest, and it will be plainly seen why God permits His judgments to fall on the earth. Because of the pride of the heart, the falsehood, the dishonesty, the profanity that is manifest, the Lord will soon come “out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” ST December 4, 1907, par. 9
The people of San Francisco must answer at the judgment bar of God for the reopening of the liquor saloons in that city. O that our cities might reform! In places where the judgments of heaven have fallen, God is now proving those whose lives He has spared as to whether they will continue to allow health and reason to be destroyed by the sale of maddening drink. Today, in many places, men are being tried in courts of justice, because, under the influence of drugged liquor, they have committed all manner of crime. Satan looks on, highly gratified over the persistent determination of men to sell and use these poisonous drinks. ST December 4, 1907, par. 10