Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-05-24

Hence, we may saIely set. down Z,UOO
barrels as the amount ofintoxicating liquor
consumed annually in Pomeroy and its
suburbs. And that, too, beside the amount
used for medicinal and mechanical pur-
poses, for, we have not included wines,
brandy, ETC., which will more than make
up for the amount of whisky used for
useful purposes. Neither do 1 include
beer, ale and porter, the statistics of which
l have not got at present. But leaving all
these out, it is bad enough.
Two thousand barrels per annum! This
will give, according to our estimate, thir-
teen gallons and one third for every man,
woman and child in the place--oyer one
quart per week. ;srra -Tr'
Now at twenty-five cents per gallon,
which is about the wholesale price, this
will amount to $50 900, which is paid out
from our town, and for which we receive
nothing-tOorSe than nothing.
But these figures do not show the ex-
tent of the traffic for it is all retailed at a
much higher price-from thirty-fve cents
to upward of two dollars per gallon. Set
ting the average retail price at fifty cents
per gallon, which is the lowest possible
estimate, we find that the traffic in Pome-
roy and its suburbs will amount to at least
$40, 900. This will give an average of
over six dollars for every man, woman and
child. -....
Our whole county raised last year for
common schools, including teachers sala-
ries, building and repairing school houses,
etc, 81 l4O &c; not quite half as much
As Pomefoy and its suburbs paid for
whisky.
If the amount paid out annually for
liquor for fifteen years were saved, it would
buy home worth $500, Cor every family
in the place.
But we have not yet estimated the
whole cost of intemperance among us. 1t
is generally admitted that at least three
fourths of the COST Of crime and pauperism
is chargable to intemperance. Seven of
the eight prisoners in our Jail few weeks
ago acknowledged that intemperance had
brought them there. Crime and pauper-
Ism costs the sober and industrious portion
of our community thousands of dollars
annually. eh
Thus far, we have only looked at the pc
cupiary aspect of this great evil. This is
bad enough, but not the worst, by any
means. Could we see the moral influence
of the traffic, in statistical form, it would |
be terrific. This we cannot do, but what
we can see should arouse us to action.
In the corporation of Pomeroy there
are about twenty-five places where the sale
Of liquor is made a prominent part Of bu-
siness, and in portion of these the en-
tire business. In Coalport there are about
ten, and in Minersville about six, in all
upward of forty. How awful the infiu
ence that these places are eXerting! Drink
ing liquor is rot the only evil connected
with them, for there are cursing, swearing,
sabbath breaking, quarreling, fighting,
gambling, prostitution, etc., all OF which
are generally connected, more or less, with
There men are prepared
tor any and every evil deed.
But these forty-one are not the only
places among US where liquor is sold,
given away and drank, and where these
evils are TO be found. Our
present liquor law, instead of suppress
ng rippling- houses" has a tendency to
Increase them. Its title, according to its
practical working, should be, can act to
every moderate drinker to set
Up a Lippling shop in his own house,
The sale Of liquor to be drank on the
premises is forbidden by the law, but it
nay be bought in any quantity, taken
lome and there drank. Hence there are
many private houses in our town where
liquor is bought by the jug and occasion
lly by the barrel, and sold privately. The
lumber of these places cannot give, but
heir name is Legion-they are many.
Is it not high time for us to wake up
o sense of our danger? Are we will
ing that this state of affairs shall continue,
'erilIng the prosperity OF our place, and
he best interests of our children and
riends? S. NJ. BRIGHT.
For the Meigs County Telegraph.