National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-07
THE TRAFFIC IN ALCOHOL
REPORT OF HON. LUKE p. POLAND
ON THE COMMISSION.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE
GIVES REASONS IN FAVOR OF THE COM
MISSION OF INQUIRY-THE PETITIONERS
ENTITLED TO BE HEARD, AND ARE OF A
CHARACTER TO INSPIRE BELIEF IN THEIR
SINCERITY AND ZEAL.
The Judiciary Committee, to whom was re-
ferred large number ofpetitions from churches
and religious bodies, as well as from indiyid-
uals from different States, praying for the ap-
pointmeut of commission to inquire and report
as to the results of the traffic In alcoholic hq-
uors in connection with crime, pauperism, the
public health, the moral, social, and intellec-
tual well-being Of the people; secondly, con-
corning prohibitory legislation in Maine, Mas
sachusetts, and other States of the Union; and,
thirdly, to recommend what additional legisla-
ton, If any, would be beneficial on the part of
Congress to suppress in the sphere of national
authority the traffic in alcoholic liquors, have
given such consideration to the subject as
seemed proper, not only by its intrinsic gravity
and Importance, but also from the high char
acter and great number of the petitioners. Upon
and as the result of this consideration, the COM
mittee herewith report q bill in substantial con-
formity to the prayers Of the petitioners, and
recommend its passage.
The committee also beg leave to submit, in
the form of report, short statement of the
reasons which have induced their recommends
ton. - - >"
And, first, II Is proper to inquire whether
Congress has any proper Jurisdiction &c. author
ize such investigation. Investigations, under
the authority of Congress, whether by COM
mittee consisting of its own members or by q
commission composed of other persons, are
usually made into the conduct of some officer
or department of the Government, or are of a
general nature, with view to furnish proper
information TO aid and guide future legislation.
The Jurisdiction hero must be supported, If
at all, upon the latter. of these grounds. It
was not claimed before the committee by the
gentlemen who appeared on behalf of these
petitions that Congress possesses the power to
regulate the traffic of intoxicating liquors
within the States. We understand them to
concede that such power and Jurisdiction rest
solely in the State Legislatures.
But they do claim that within the District of
Columbia and within all the Territories under
the jurisdiction of tine National Government
gress does possess full and ample power to
regulate and restrain or prohibit the traffic.
As question of Jurisdiction, the committee do
not see how this claim can be denied or
doubted.
Whether it will ever be thought advisable or
expedient for Congress to exercise such power,
it is not now necessary to determine. The fact
that the District of Columbia and each of the
organized Territories have local legislation
of their own, who also have power to create
such legislation, if sufficiently strong local
sentiment can be created in its favor, will, of
course be a consideration Of weight when the
question arises. The results Of this inquiry
may largely affect the judgment of Congress as
to whether they ought to exercise their legisla-
tive Jurisdiction over this subject within the
limits where they confessedly have the power.
But, if the facts ascertained and reported by
this commission shall not induce Congress to
legislate, they may have such animportant and
controlling influence upon the public sentiment
and Judgment within the national domain out
side the States as to induce restraining and
preventive legislation against intemperance BY
the local legislatures. These quasi-goTern-
mcnts are legally considered as but agencies
and instrumentalities of the General Govern
ment; and, If improved legislation by them
shall result from the information thus gained,
It may properly be regarded as of national
benefit.
The nation now derives q very large revenue
by the taxation of the manufacturer, the i'm
porter, and the seller OF intoxicating liquors.
Can it be said that our national laws on this
subject may not properly and constitutionally
be affected by the consideration whether the
subject-matter of all those laws be benefit
and blessing to the nation and all the people
thereof, so that its manufacture, sale, and use
ought to be encouraged in all lawful ways, or
whether, on the other hand, 1t is an evil demon,
every way hurtfIl to the nation and people,
and which should be restrained and circum-
1,oI IN, fnff
The committee believe that the results of
this commission may justly and constitutionally
affect national legislation upon this subject,
and that Incidental projection may thus be al
forded to the cause Of temperance and So
briefly.
So, too, II the information thus obtained,
covering broader field, clothed with a robe OF
more official authority, commanding more re-
spect, and less liable to challenge or
contradiction than the Individual efforts
and statements of private philantbro-
pists have hitherto attained, shall
have the effect to produce better State laws, or
the better enforcement of State laws for the re-
straint of the sale and use of intoxicating
liquors, It is consideration not to be lost sight
of. Though this is not, perhaps, sufficient
ground to uphold the jurisdiction, yet if the
Jurisdiction is clear on other grounds, it fur
nishes additional reasons for its exercise.
With this short statement of the views of the
committee as to the Jurisdiction of Congress, is
it expedient to order this commission and in
quirya
That the evils of intemperance are enormous,
and that the increasing use of Intoxicating
drinks is one of the dangers which seriously
threaten our national prosperity as well as ma
tional reputation, are facts which are very gen.
orally conceded. Every good citizen will give
his countenance and aid 10 any measure which
will Limit and restrain these evils.
For a considerable number of years the gene
raj opinion of those most interested to break
up and suppress the use of Intoxicating drinks
| has been that the only sure and efIectual mode
was by prohibiting their manufacture and sale,
and thus cut off the means of supply of those
disposed to drink. In many of the States such
| laws have been passed, and more or less rigidly
enforced. That they have ever been or ever
will be enforced so strictly that no Intoxicating
liquors will be used probably no one believes Oh
expects; but that their effect has been greatly
to lessen the consumptionin all the States hav.
ing such laws the committee believe will
be conceded by every candid man living in
such States. 1t is often asserted that the use
of liquors has increased in such States, but the
allegation is uniformly found to come from
persons who are hostile to prohibitory law.
| The petitioners are believers in and sup
porters Of prohibitory legislation, and they de
sire to extend and strengthen it in every way
/ a. sASh POUOA" AAOy OSAAStS Suob q SohSoAiNto
ton and aggregation of all the terrible evil:
growing out of the use Of intoxicating liquors
will make o picture so dark and fearful that
many who are now unbelieVers will be con
WINGED of the efficacy and necessity of making
the traffic contraband.
The committee believe that such q body Of
petitioners deserve the respectful attention Of
Congress. They belong TO the most intelligent
and respectable classes of our citizens; they
are men long identified with the best interests
of society; they are members of various re-
ligious organizations without distinction of de-
nomination. They represent, too, vast mum.
bers of others who believe in common with
them, and who will look to our action on this
subject with interest and anxiety equally as
great as that of those who represent them
The class Represented by these petitioners arc
engaged in q department of philanthropic eff
fort which has long commanded the exertions
of some of the noblest and most gifted OF
American citizens as wen as of all other civil
1 lied nations. -
But there are many people in the country
who, while they depiore the evils of intemper-
ance, and believe in the efficacy Of legislation
as remedy, do not agree with the petitioners
in the propriety or policy Of purely prohibi-
tory law. They believe that all that can
be accomplished of good by legislation must
be gained by stringent system of license and
regulation.
There Is still another class, (and doubtless
amonu them MANY who would gladly soc the