Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-09-22
VOLUME Is.
For the Telegraph.
Facts for The people.


In most matters it may be improper TO
speak Of Americans, Germans or Irish
among US distinctively, as class, but
there are cases which seem to require it.
Some facts are known by common obser-
1t is fact known by observation that
the amount of liquor drinking in this
city, during the past few months has been
unusually large men staggering under
the influence of strong drink is no uncom-
mon sight.
From an examination recently made
by authority in this city, there We're found
to bc twcnty-ninc places within the city
limits where Intoxicating liquors were
sold. Taking the number of legal voters
in this city to be five hundred, and it gives
one liquor shop for every serenteen voters.
Assuming that one third of the legal vo-
tiers in the city abstain from the use of
spirituous liquors, (Which for the honor
of the city it is hoped is too low an esti-
mate, then we have one liquor shop to
every eLeren voters. Can such condi-
ton of things produce a healthy state of
public morals?
Again, it was found that of the TWEEN
ty-ninc liquor establishments in this city,
tlrelre of the number were Irish, nine
German, one English, four American and
three not definitely stated. If the num-
Der of irish families in this city be put
down at one hundred then it will give
this class of population one liquor shop
to every s l-2 families. The proportion
of German drinking places, to the num-
Der Of German families, is also large, but
this class of population are mostly beer
drinkers, and indulge less in whiskey.
Beer drinking however, has its evil con-
sequences. 1t will Of course be under
stood that the liquor sellers in this city,
do not rely wholly on the city for GUS
toner's; the surrounding country aids in
their support.
Now the mere fact that so large pro-
portion of our Irish population are en-
gagged in the liquor traffic, is of itself not
so important, were there no consequence
es attached to it. The statistics of pau
pcrism and crime in this city, have never
been SO distinctly placed before the pub
lie as they might have been. 1t must be
an admitted fact, that that class Of the
population, whose propensities lead the m
most freely to engage i'll the liquor trade,
are the greatest loycrs5of liquor, and i'm
b be it most freely /; that paupcrism and
crime are the fruits of liquor drinking,
has been demonstrated so often, as to be-
come 4 self evident fact. There are now
in our city poor house ten paupcrs; OF
this number seven are Irish, one German
and two Americans. Six of the seven
Irish inmates Of the poor house, are the
victims Of poverty. caused directly by
liquor drinking. There are also eight
persons, who receive temporary support
from the city outside of the poor h@;;sy
four of whom are Irish and four German;
the four Irish are paupers because of in
temperance. If it be said that these are
extreme cases. which exist only for the
time being then let the record be pro
duced, covering each year since our city
organization-nameS, nativity and accom-
pany ing facts can be furnished. Does any
one inyits the criminal statistics of our
city; they too can be produced, and will
be found of a like character.
These statements arc not given in this
public manner, with the view of injuring
or exciting prejudices against our fellow
citizens of foreign birth; nor are they in
tended to screen or excuse our American
born citizens from like faults. But ii
would seem that our Irish population
from a sense Of self respect would not
allow from year to year such statistics
as are here mentioned to stand against
them. The burdens of taxation arising.
from pauperism and crime, have been
long and patiently borne, and it. is not
surprising that tax payers should COM
plain and inquire as to what class of per
sons, are chiefly instrumental in produc-
ing such state Of things. Instead of a
general rushfor "Whiskcy and Nebraska y
how much better for themselves their
children and the land of their adoption
would it be to strive for sobrictv and
frugality, and for the prevention of pau
perism and public burdens. Father Tier
ney, the catholic pastor IN this city, has
recently appealed with great faithrulncss
to his fellow countrylnen engaged in the
liquor business, to desist from the traffic;
what blessed results would follow, if his
timely admonition were needed.
Sept. Is 1854. ore.
THE STATE AGRrCULrURAL FAIR is TO
be held ON Spring st. Hill, on the grounds