The Battle for Prescott’s Saloons
Prohibitionists face off against local business interests in the upcoming town election.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Much interest is being taken over the city election in Prescott, which will take place Monday, December 8. The main issue will be the saloon question. The advocates of prohibition have organized and are waging an active campaign. A majority of the business men are in favor of licensing saloons, believing that the money derived therefrom will be needed to carry out plans for improving the city. It is also true that since there have been two saloons in Prescott there has been less drunkenness than when there was no saloon in the town. The present license is $600 per year, which brings into the city $1,000 after deducting the portion that goes to the state. Added to the tax levy, it will provide funds for street improvements and new sidewalks.
“A majority of the business men are in favor of licensing saloons, believing that the money derived therefrom will be needed to carry out the plans of improving the city.”
This local debate over using 'sin taxes'—saloon licenses—to fund basic city infrastructure like sidewalks perfectly captures the fiscal tensions of small-town Washington before statewide prohibition took hold in 1916.
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