Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-04
PEOPLE WHO DRINK.


First-Class Bnr-rOOms.
Monsieur X. writes thus IN the
New York Sun:
Physicians say that two-thirds of
their male patients suffer in one
way or another from alcoholic poi
son. No close observer will be dis
posed to doubt this. From the low
shops on South and West streets,
along the line of the more fashion
ionable saloons on and near Broad
way, in the vicinity Of the old post
office and the gilded retreats that
grid the Astor House, in the several
places Of note on Printing House
Square, and in the magnificent
marble palaces that fringe Madison
Square, not omitting the frescoed
club room and the dingy slop-shops
Of the east side-from the first to
the last, and in them all, the same
story Of intemperance may be
learned.
went into the basement of one
of Gotham's greatest architectural
piles this morning, and stood at
the end of the connter, half an
hour, to see what was done. There
were four bar-tenders all busily
engaged. In that brief time they
sold to all sorts and conditions of
men two hundred beers, thirty-two
whiskies, ten lemonades, two plain
settlers, and three gin cocktails. 1t
was an exceptionally busy half
hour, to be sure; but as / took my
seat at a little table near the coun-
ter, noticed in the next half hour,
and made a memorandum to guard
against mistakes, a sale of one hun
dred and thirty beers, fifty whiskies
and six gin cocktails. The men
who drank them were not " buns"
Very many cf them are known to
the world Of politics, several are
noted writers, the city hall furn.
ished its quote, some do business in
the swamp, and not one seemed in
the least degree affected by what he
drank.
Leaving this place we went to
another saloon e0ually well known.
whose proprietors pay an annual
rent of $50, 900 for the premises,
which are kept open from s O'Clock
in the morning until 7 in the even
ing. Standing by little oigai
case which is placed on one side Of
! the room, l devoted half an hour tc
the close count of the drinks and
drinkers. There were three bar
keepers, and they had all they could
DO 70 attend promptly to the Gus
toners. One company of SIX young
men drank six times in less than
fifteen minutes, aud each took hi
whisky straight. In half an hour.
time that bar sold ninety-eighi
whiskies, four ginger ales, three ci
ders and fourteen ginger cocktails
AS went out ! asked one of the
six young men who drank six times
"What are you drinking so mucl
for today" "0h, nothing" HI
replied; 81 didn't intend to
Charley and | went in for an oys
ter, and were ordering when thos
fonr fellows from Alb2py cam
along. Charley asked 'em to drink
and one followed another" That
the history Of manya spree. Tn
spreer doesn't intend 70 go off
meeting . friend the one tempt
the other.
Returning to the saloon | yisitel
! first, | ordered a lunch, and wa
r soon joined-l always am-by al
acquaintance, who, of course, said
DWbatll you take P" Being in
taking mood ] said | would try
glass of rye. He took the sam,
Having said How" and empae
our glasses, said I" Rufe, what q
y you drink thai whisky for? D
/, you like it?"
'No. ] don't like it. Pm drink
ing too much, too, Guess I'll pu
up"
/ Well, tell me what did yoa oi
!, der it for?"
I" why, for sociability's sake,
suppose. What did you drink,
ls io2p
Because J wanted to just as
this question. Pye been lookin