Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-03-16
CONGRESS AND THE TEMPER
ANCE QUESTION.

dllCt NuGoblDu litlo SttliiObt ShO DJSNS III
to congress, and the senate has already
passed bill, which carried into effect
will furnish information which we trust,
will lead the legislative body of the ma
ton to pass laws, that will annihilate
the whole liquor business. This would
be putting the matter just where it be-
longs, for no state legislation can COM
pletcly prevent the sale or use of liquors
so long as their manufacture and impor-
tation is permitted in the country. 1t
ought to take sensible congressman no
great length Of time to decide what his
course should be, when the subject of tenn
perance legislation is brought before con-
gress. If he seeks, according to the pre-
amble of the Constitution, ''tO promote
the welfare of the people" he will de-
stroy that article which is robbing the
people of the nation of a thousand mil
lion of dollars annually, and giving in
return for all this, nothing but perverted
appetites, ruined fortunes, desolate homes
and broken hearts. If that legislator
would ameliorate the condition of his
race, he will put beyond the reach of
unfortunate men and women, the vile
poison that fires their passions and lifts
their arms to deeds of blood and wrong
if he would carry joy to the hearts Of
millions of his fellows, he will be instru-
mental in putting an end to the manu-
facture of liquor in his country. 1t is a
very encouraging sign that good ma
iority could be found in the senate for a
bill of the character which is printed
herewith. 1t is step in the right di-
rection. Now let the people do their
part toward the great movement, and
sooner or later we shall obtain favora-
bic national legislation.
The bill as passed reads as follows
BE 1t enacted, &c., That there shall be
appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate, q
commission of five persons, neither Of
whom shall be the holder of any office
of profit or trust in the general or State
Government. The said Commissioners
shall be selected solely with reference t.
personal fitness and capacity for an hon
est, impartial and thorough investiga
ton, and shall hold office until their du
ties shall be accomplished, but not tt
exceed one year. 1t shall be their dut,
to investigate the alcoholic and ferment-
ed liquor traffic and manufacture hav
ing special reference to revenue and tax
alton, Distinguishing as far as possibl
In the conclusions they arrive at betwee
the effects produced by the use of dis
titled or spirituous as distinguished fror
the use of fermented or malt liquors, i
their economic, criminal, moral and sci
entific aspects in connection with pau
perism, crime, vice, the public healt
and the general welfare of the people
also to inquire and take testimony as t
the practical results of license and re
strlctive Legislation for the prevention {
intemperance in the several States an
the effect produced by such leglslatio
upon the consumption of distilled {
spirituous liquors, and of fermented {
malt liquors, and also ascertain whetht
the evil of drunkenness has been increa
ed or decreased thereby, whether the u;
of opium as stimulant and substitu
for alcoholic drink has become more GEL
eral In consequence of such Legislation
and whether the public morals hay
been improved thereby. 1t shall also
the duty of said commission to gath,
information and take testimony as
whether the evil of drunkenness exis
to the same extent or more so in 9th
civilized countries, and whether tho
foreign nations that are considered> Il
most temperate in the use of stimufan
are so through prohibitory laws also
what degree prohibitory legislation. h
affected the consumption and manufa
ture of malt and spirituous liquors
this country.
SEC. 2. That the Commissioners, q
of whom shall not be advocates of pr
hibltory legislation or total abstinen
in relation to alcoholic or fermented
quors, shall serve without salary al
shall have authority to employ Secl
tary at reasonable compensation, n
to exceed $4,000 per annum, whic
with the necessary expenses incident
to such investigation, not exceeding SlC
900 for both the Secretary and Comm
sIoners, shall be paid out of any mon
in the Treasury not otherwise approp
ated, upon vouchers to be approved
the Secretary of the Treasury, and /
this purpose the sum of $40, 900 is hel
by appropriated 1t shall be the fl
ther duty of said Commissioners to
port the result of their investigation a
the expenses attending the same to t
President, to be by him transmitted
Congress.
The bill before the New York Leg
lature making the Intentional circulate
nE Enl.o NAM e.. -r..,.... L. L..