The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-16
TIE RAID ON RUM

Temperance Leaders-"H La.
dies Come to Knsel in Ny
Place III Knesl Them
0ut Of the Window"
PATCH0GUE, L. l., Feb. II, 1874.
who can possibly be ungaIlant enough to drink
Whiskeys declare 1t ia shame. l talked yester-
DAY and to-day with three most worthy ladies, and
shey all condemn wEiskey as beverage, and, am
sure, they must know best The war on rum In
Ohio has made giant stride and the sound of the
artillery Is now re-ecnoed from PatcnOgue, L. l.,
this lovely town Of capital Blue Point oysters, very
bad whiskey, Jolly fishermen and literary ladies.
Patchogue Is situated on the South Side Railroad,
and s but 1fty-tw0 miles from New York. and II
the movement spreads at the same rate at which
II fastened from Ohio to Long Island, you may,
perhaps hear the m0urnful prayers OF the ladies OF
Filth avenue tomorrow IN Atlantic Garden
As the reporter of the HERALD who was
detailed to chronicle the main incidents OF this
new raid on rum arrived at che Patchogue station
on Friday evening, he fully expected to catch
THE SOUND OF wOMEN's PRAYERS
carried On the decidedly close and muggy evening
air. Alas all was SILENT The only noise that
could be heard was the loud, heavy pattering of
the RAM which came down In the most exnarat-
ing, cheerful manner. Patchogue, in that light,
was flowing, il not with milk and honey, Mt all
events with mua and slush. The town was most
romantic to behold. There were no barriers OF
mountains to break the uninterrupted view OF the
leaden dun sky and the nat, picturesque country;
but dainty little hills Of slush rose grandy and
sOlemnly against the dark vault OF heaven. The
reporter scrambled into an Old wagon, dignified
by the name OF o ''stage," which took him to the
hotel 1t was the most remarkable vehicle which
in cd N ms
A low roof threatening to fall on ones very
head; no windows, except two lirue holes OF
the size OF good walnut, which seem TO have been
made to keep the light out; no air except what is
tainted with the faint 0d0r OF stale and bad to.
bacco, and impenetrable darkness. One does not
mind, after a while, the shock received every
minute by the Topping OF child into ones lap for
the 0Itng OF the vehicle s enough to jerk the dear
little infants out Of the arms OF their fond mothers
Gasping for breath the reporter alghted. he
Immediately treated himself to glass of Patchogue
water,
IN ORDER TO TEST ITS EXCELLENCE.
In any temperance movement q great deal must
necessarily depend on the quality Of the water. II
1t s to be substituted for wine and liquors it ought
certainly to be first rate Tho reporter took great
pains to ascertain the precise condition OF the
water which is drunk In Patchogue, and he Is
gratifed to be able to state that 1t is good,
and VIII not harm anybody. Mrs. Oaksmith,
the leader Of the temperance movement,
and Worthy Patriarch OF the ''Blue Point
Division OF the Sons and Daughters of
Temperance" stated in the interview which is
given below that it was principally used for
manufacturing purposes in Patchogue, and Mr..
Piummer VINO is also an influential member OF the
temperance organization, gave It as his opinion
that 1t was generally diluted with whisKey. The
reporter regrets to be compelled to declare that
these statements do not represent the actual con-
ditiOn OF things in Patchogue with that accuracy
and fidelity which could be expected from such ex-
celient authorities the subject OF water in gene.
eal and Long Island water in particular. 1t may
surprise some people who love to Willy the happy
halcyOn village of Patchogue, but the reporter
tainly saw, during his brief stay several glasses Of
water drunk by thirsty Patchogueans. Once, he
even observed lady, at the hotel at which he was
staying, drink three glasses OF Adams ale success
slvey, which was certainly great triumph
FOR THE CAUSE OF TEMPERANCE.
It is thousand pties that the authorities of
Patchogue have collected trustworthy statistics
showing the comparative consumption OF water
and distilled liquors The reporter endeavored to
ascertain these important figures, but found 1t i'm
possible to do so. 1t may be stated, however, on
the best authorities which he consulted, that the
consumption Of water is very much larger in
PatchOgue than is that OF ale lager. whiskey,
brandy, gin, rum, hook, champagne, &C., CON-
bined. There is no doubt about it, and any one
who goes to Patchogue and investigates all the
facts will come to similar conclusion. Another
important circumstance In this connection ia this
ENen In the rum shops Of Patchogue the consump-
fiokor water is large, many OF their patrons max
Ing ita rule to guip down some water after having
lndulged il the more stimulating drink Of whiskey
or gihl
Thus far the ladies' have not invaded the saloons
with their prayers, and the statement made by
Mrs. Oaksmith that there are not three ladies in
PatchOgue who would be willing to take this lauda
Bile step is certainly discouraglng. The reporter
tonnd only one lady-sltnough he conversed with
tnf69-wh6 was Ready to
BRAVE THE LION IN HIS DEN
and hallow the door OF gin shop with her
kneeliug and praying. It will be seen that
one OF the hotel proprietOrs Is cruel enough
to say that he will "kneel the good ladies' out
OF the window II they come to kneel and
pray at his place." and that another rumselier "a
druggist hints at the possibility OF strewing his
noor with cOwhage and burning red pepper on his
stove In order to drive them away. 1t is sad to
contemplate the depravity OF human nature, and
It is to be hoped that these gentlemen Will, when
Of that gallantry winch Is due to the fair SEX In
case such CONFLICT should actually occur there is
fecs the good ladies from pepper and all other
dangers.
Before giving the gist Of the interviews which
have had with prominent parties on both sides OF
the question will briefly review what the ladies
OF Patchogue, and Blue Point, Islip and Babylon,
which follow In its wake, have thus far done. The
FIRST step which they took was to request the
South Side Railway, on the part Of the Blue Point
Division, to refrain from carrying any more liquor
to these places. This request was, Of course, de.
MED, although Mrs. Oaksn,th made
AN ELOQUENT AND ELABORATE APPEAL
to Mr.. Carman, the superintendent. The West
Patchogue Division then adopted the following
resolution
Resolved That the West Patchogue Independent
Temperance Association endorses ana susAns the Blue
Point Division in ably directed effort against the
conveyance Of intoxicating liquors the lines Of the
South Side Railroad.