Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-10-19

NOW HARD TIMES AFFECT THEM-solrE cLoeEI
AND OTHERS LOSING MoNEY-LIoENsEs NOT
| WORTH GETTING AND PROSECUTIONS NOT FEAR.
| I'D.
IL ls an Impression OH the minds of many per-
SONS that hard times and disappointment in bus.
iness lead to excessive intemperance. From
the large number OF persons seen intoxicated
upon the street, this view appears true, but a
| selves.
In conversation with some persons engaged
IN the busness Representative of tho CONNER
cIAL was Informed that when times were
good ordinary liquor saloons would net
from ~ to SO per day profit. the fact Of the sa-
looms being unlicensed making no difference in
the business, except that more care was required
20 Know the men to whom liquor was sold
Much more liquor would be drank if there were
more money TO spend for it. Tho scarcity of
money works hard upon the lower class OF ga
looms which are principally supported by what
are called &" bummers," both black and white.
This class of PERSONS when work is scarce il
lett without employment as no person would be
employed of this class while better hop can be
procured. This at once stops off great part Of
tho patronage OF the lower class OF saloons, none
OF which are licensed and ss consequence some
Of them are quitting the business, and many of
those holding on are losing money.
Hard times are also severe upon the taverns
and licensed saloons which are supposed to be
ter class OF people. Workmen who are patrons
Of these places have had their wages reduced,
and the ever recurring wants OF shoes stockings
and other clothing for the wife and
ohldren at home makes them hesitate
IN contributing the ten cent promise to pay, to
the landlords TILL Formerly when wages were
nigh, ten cents or more day could be spent
without making any apparent difference to the
FAMILY, but now when every cent is needed for
the necessares Of life, the expenditure for liquor
mt 10 mn do On cpua
ly is this loss felt by retailers that some of the
nnscrupulous resort to adulteration of liquors,
and mix it plentifully with water in order to
mako good the loss OF trade, and meet the high
taxes and heavy licenses imposed upon them.
One honest liquor seller Informed the Cont
MERcIAL representative that religious excite-
ments were sure thermometer OF the times,
for said he, whenever times are hard, people
leave the saloons and go to the church, but
whenever the times arc good the church is
forsaken and the saloons patronized This is
the reason he gives for the reviyals now in pro- |
gress, and the closing OF 30 many saloons for |
want OF patronage. but just wait, he said, till
good times spring up again. and the saloons will |
start again, and receive back the most OF their |
old customers.
In answer to a question as to why there were
30 few applying for license at the approaching |
term OF court. compared with the large number |
,t previous COURTS he said that the venders |
found there was in spending 70 much |
money for license, when thoy sre not inter- |
Tered with for selling without license.
In relation to the prosecutions pending and |
which will be brought before the court, one in |
!ormant stated that nothing was to be feared |
rom the class OF persons generally summoned /
IN such occasions as Witnesses; but few would /
% found when court meets, and many of those
Who would appear would not be believed upon
oath by jury. Exceptions were made in some |
ases where convictions might follow, but in |
sreat majority of cases there would be no convic-
ions. "You see public opinion is not educated
Up to the mark, yet" significantly and sarcastic
ally said our informant