The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-12-13

PEOPLE WHO DRINK.
OOsavaROns in First. Class Bar Room.
'Monsieur X" thus writes in the New

'Monsieur X" thus writes in the New
York Sun:
Physicians say that nearly two thirds
of their male patients suffer in one way
or another from alcoholic poison.
No close observer will be disposed to
doubt this.
From the low shops on South and West
streets, along the line of more fashiona-
BILE saloons on and near Broadway,in the
vicinity of the old Postoaice, in the gilded
retreats that grid the Astor House, in the
several places of note on Printing House
square, In the cozy boudors OF Union
SQUARE, and in the magnificent marble
palaces that fringe Madison square, not
omitting the frescoed club room and the
dingy slop shops of the extreme East Side
from the first to the last, and in them
all, the same story of intemperenCe may
be learned.
Iwent into the basement ofone of Go.
tham's greatest architectural piles this
morning, and stood at the end of the
counter half an hour to see what was
done,
There we're four bar.tenders, all busily
engaged.
In that brief time they sold to all sorts
and conditions of men 200 beers,32 whis.
kies, 10 lemonades, 2 plain seltzers and
3 gin cocktails.
It was an exceptionally busy half hour,
to be sure; but as took my seat at a little
table near the center, noticed in the
next half hour and made memorandum
TO guard against mistake, sale of l3O
beers, so whiskies and 6 gin cocktails.
The men who drank were not "bums."
Very many of them are known to the
world Of politics, several are noted wri-
ters, the City Hall furnished its quota,
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, equally well known, whose propri.
etors pay an annual rent of $4,000 for
the premises, which are kept open from
3 o'clock in the morning until 7 in the
evening.
Standing by little cigar case which is
placed at one side of the room, l devoted
half an hour to a close count of drinks
and drinkers.
There we're three barkeepers, and they
had all they could do to attend promptly
to the customers.
One company Of six young men drank
six times in less than fifteen minutes, and
each took his whisky straight.
In half an hours time that bar sold 98 |
Whiskies, four ginger ales, three elders,
and four gin cock tails.
As went out | said to one of the six |
young men who drank six times, What
are you drinking so much for todayP"
"0h nothing" he replied; II didn't
intend to. Charley and went in for an
oyster, and we're ordering when those
four fellows from Albany came along.
Charley asked 'em to drink, and one fol-
lowed the other"
That's the history of many spree.
The spreer doesn't intend to 60 of, but
meeting friend the one tempts the 9TH
er.
Returning to the saloon visited first,
I ordered lunch, and was soon joined
Il always am-by an acquaintance, who,
of course, said, "What'll you take?"
Being in taking mood, l said would
try q glass of rye. He took the same.
Having said, "Aow," and emptied our
glasses, said, Rute, what did you drink
that whiskie for2 Do you like it2"
mo, don't like it. Pm drinking too
much, too. Guess I'll pull up"
"Well, tell me, what did yon order it
for9"
"Why, for sociability's sake, suppose.
What did Won drink il for2"
Because wanted to ask Just this ques-
ton. I've been looking at the fellows
drink there, and l believe that eight out
of ten drink just because they don't like
to say 'noP"
"Does it make your head ache to drink
whisky"
ayes"
$50 it does mine. swore off whisky
and took to beer, but beer makes me bill
lious."
"Why drink anything2"
Hanged if l know, but we all do
drink"
We were joined by an actor. Being
an actor, and in the company Of news
paper man, there was, s,he thought, but one
thing to do.
Said he, "What'll you take2"
We took whisky.
So did he.
We each said, "How," and then said l,
"Dan, do you like whisky~
81 hate it."
"Why do you drink it2"
II don't often. generally take gin;
but they both upset me; give me fearful
headache. But what are you going to do2
Must drink something"
In that way 1 have spoken to not less
than twenty men this very day. OF the
twenty, fifteen said that drink always
gave them headache; one owned that
he "loved the taste," and one confessed
he was ION tear" and he didn't care
who knew it,"
II stands to reason that this sort Of
thing must produce some impression on
the human form divine.
The doctors say it induces paralysis, i'm
digestion, headache, rheumatism, and
weakness of many kinds.
Not being doctor, l don't attempt to |
indorse their opinion; but this l will say,
that among all the hundreds of drinkers |
regular topers, not drunkards-to be |
in the Arst-class saloons Of New York to-
day, it will be impossible to find dozen |
men who will say that they drink because |
they are fond Of liquor.
They drink because it seems TO be the |
thingto do.