Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
May 15, 1922
Americus Times Recorder
Americus, Sumter County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Editorial defends prohibition by recounting Pussyfoot Johnson's career, highlighting ironic contributions from drunkards and a reduced number of illegal drinking spots in Chicago compared to pre-prohibition era, mocking critics' exaggerations.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
PUSSYFOOT JOHNSON.
PUSSYFOOT Johnson says that years ago, when he started his prohibition career in a little Ohio town, the "professional prominent citizen" refused to help him. Pussyfoot began his war against Demon Rum with a committee recruited from the town's drunkards.
You have heard of similar cases powerful speeches against booze, made by lecturers so drunk they could hardly stand up.
Hypocrisy? No. It takes a drunkard to talk sensibly on the whisky question, just as Jim the Penman was the greatest authority on the foolishness of being a forger.
Drunkards did more than abstainers, to make America dry.
A Chicago reporter, trying to convince Pussyfoot Johnson that prohibition is a joke, says: "I can show you 500 places right here in the heart of Chicago where you can buy a drink as easily as you could in the old days."
Pussyfoot answers: "There were 7500 in the old days, so things must be somewhat better than they were."
In a desert, a small pond looks as big as a lake.
Incidentally. Pussyfoot and the reporter combed Chicago for two and a half hours, in a taxi, and found only one place where they could buy whisky. Exaggeration is a national trait.
PUSSYFOOT Johnson says that years ago, when he started his prohibition career in a little Ohio town, the "professional prominent citizen" refused to help him. Pussyfoot began his war against Demon Rum with a committee recruited from the town's drunkards.
You have heard of similar cases powerful speeches against booze, made by lecturers so drunk they could hardly stand up.
Hypocrisy? No. It takes a drunkard to talk sensibly on the whisky question, just as Jim the Penman was the greatest authority on the foolishness of being a forger.
Drunkards did more than abstainers, to make America dry.
A Chicago reporter, trying to convince Pussyfoot Johnson that prohibition is a joke, says: "I can show you 500 places right here in the heart of Chicago where you can buy a drink as easily as you could in the old days."
Pussyfoot answers: "There were 7500 in the old days, so things must be somewhat better than they were."
In a desert, a small pond looks as big as a lake.
Incidentally. Pussyfoot and the reporter combed Chicago for two and a half hours, in a taxi, and found only one place where they could buy whisky. Exaggeration is a national trait.
What sub-type of article is it?
Temperance
Satire
What keywords are associated?
Prohibition
Pussyfoot Johnson
Temperance
Drunkards
Chicago Saloons
Exaggeration
What entities or persons were involved?
Pussyfoot Johnson
Chicago Reporter
Drunkards
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Prohibition Via Pussyfoot Johnson's Anecdotes
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Prohibition With Satirical Mockery Of Critics
Key Figures
Pussyfoot Johnson
Chicago Reporter
Drunkards
Key Arguments
Drunkards Contributed More To Prohibition Than Abstainers
Prohibition Reduced Saloons From 7500 To Fewer In Chicago
Critics Exaggerate The Ease Of Obtaining Alcohol
Hypocrisy In Anti Alcohol Advocacy By Reformed Drunkards Is Effective