I mean that Sykes persided an' Billy wrote it down
When motions was perpounded on how to run the town.
"Bat" Blarcum broached the idee, supported by a speech,
That the closin' of the thirst-joints was the only thing would reach,
Since liquor bred dissension which only blood could stop
As he knew from observation, though he "never touched a drop!"
Then Pierpont Robyn Stebbins arose an' begged to say.
That the road to civic virtue lay quite another way:
To punish weepon toters would be the proper feat—
Jest confiscate their weepons an' make 'em clean the street.