Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-29
Correspondence of the Boston Journal.
f EFFECTS OFALCHOLIC LIQUORS

WASHINGTON, jan %, 1876
The Senate passed to-day bill similar to that
which it passed last year, authorizing the appoint
ment of commission Of five to investigate the
traffic in alcoholic and fermented beverages and
the consequent effects, but to quiet the scruples OF
believers in State rights its operations are to lie
limited to this District, to the Territories and to
Alaska. 1t is provided that neither of the Com
missioners shall be the holder any office of profit
or trust in the General or State Government, and
that all of them shall not be advocates of prohibto
~ legislation total abstinence, in relation to al
coholc or fermented liquors. They are to have
their expenaes paid, and a Secretary at a salary
of $4,000 per annum, the whole cost of the COM
limited service. The duties of the Commissioners
are thus prescribed:
1t shall be their duty to investigate the alcohol
ic and fermented liquor traffic and manufacture,
having special reference to revenue and taxation,
distinguishing as far as possible, in the conclu-
sons they arrive at, between the effects produced
by the use of distilled spurious liquors and the
use of fermented or malt liquors, Or in their eco
nomic, criminal, moral and scientific aspects in
connection with paupersm, crime, social vice, the
public health. and geneeal welfare Of the people;
and also inquire and take testimony as to the prac
tcal results Of license and restrictive legislation
for the prevention of intemperance in the several
States and the effect produced by such legislation
upon the consumption of distilled or spurious
liquors and fermented or malt liquors; also to
certain whether the evils of drunkenness have
been increased OF decreased, and whether public
morals have been improved thereby. 1t shall also
be the duty Of said commissioners to gather infor
nation and take testimony as to whether the evil
of drunkenness exists to the same extent, or more
so, in other civilized countries, and whether those
foreign nations that are considered the most tenn
perate in the use of stimulants through pro-
hhtory laws and also to what degree prohibitory
legislation las affected the consumption and man
ufacture Of malt and spirituous liquors in this
country.
The passage Of this bill, clrcumscrbed as its
operations are was due to an argument by Sena-
ter Morrill, of Maine, who took the ground that as
this country derives revenue Of seventy millions
of dollars upon distilled and imported spirits, it is
the duty Of Congress to inquire into the effect
morally, socially and economically-oftbata action.
He took the ground SO long as Government lends
its moral countenance to and encourages the i'm
portation and the production of distilled spirits,
intemperancc will increase. Then, after stating
the annual amount of dst;llaton, he said:
"Now lust think of O,OOO, 900 gallons of dis
SPINS III PcOPiC Vi 1Vo'pbSoos III
to all that is imported from abroad. What be.
comes of it 7 Ii is doctored and medicated rect-
fed and refined, into all the shapes that human
ingenuity can conceive and the people doc
tored with it, and poisoned with it, the effect of
all which is pauperism, crime destutiop, beggary,
want. DEATH The statistics show beyond all con-
troversy, if anything has ever been made clear by
statistics, that three -fourths of the paupersm is
attributable directly and indirectly to Intoxicating
drinks and three -tourhs of the CRIME to the same
cause. just contemplate that statement, and then
see whether the Government of country that
raises its revenues by the encouragement Of the
distllation Of such an agency as that has no con-
necton with it, and no right to inquire into it,
and no interest to inquire into it, Why, sir more
than all other agencies combined is the terrible
effect of alcoholic drinks upon the health and
ais and prosperity of this people. 1t is the ggan
tic crime OF crimes in this age, and particularly in
this country.
Mr. President, it were not possible, know, that
we should collect this amount Of our revenues by
levying it on the property of the people directly.
do not suppose that it would be considered a rea-
sonable matter of finance; but have never seen
the time since have been in the Senate that
would not have voted this amount of revenue
either upon the polls or estate, or upon the To-
comes of the people to raise this much money, and
put the whole business of retailing alcoholic
drinks or intoxicating liquors under the ban of
the nation. | can have no doubt myself that it Is
entirely legitimate, that it is entirely constitution
al, to raise this commission and that, if it should
turn out that it makes thorough investigation in
TO the whole question, 1t cannot in the future but
be benehcent to the country.
Whether the democrats in the House ill agree
with the Senate and establish the commission, re-
mains to be seen. Generally speaking, that party
has been in favor Of free trade in liquor, and OPP
posed to restraining the abuse of it.