Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-03-14
Price on Prohibition.
The Scnatar from jackson ReuisCs
the Rum Trafic-A Remarkably
Concise, Lucid aud FOrcibLe Argu-
mcnt an FAVOR Of ats Prohibition.

C0n"aSc, Lucid aud F'Orct6te Arglt-
0ent an FAVOR Of ats Prohibition
Early in the present session of the
legislature, Senator VIM. I Price Of
Jackson comfy introduced a joint re-
solution providing for a constitutional
forever prohibiting the
traffic in Intoxicating liquors in this
state; the resolution was referred to
him, as committee Of one On
Friday last, he offered the following
report, favorlng the passage of the re-
solution; it is an unusually interesting
and forcible argument for liquor pro-
hibition, and deserves a careful and
respectful perusal by both the friends
and the opponents of the proposed
legislation:
The select committee, to whom was
referred jnint resolution No Is, s.,
in relation to an amendment to the
constitution of this state. begs leave to
report the same back with the recon
mendation that it do pass and would
respectfully submit the following as "a
few of the reasons why that recon-
mendation should be concurred in:
The right to restrict the traffic in
Intoxicating liquors in the state is now
quite generally admitted, on the
ground that government is the crea-
tion Of society; established to guard
the inalienable rights Of the individual
and to promote the general welfare.
and to etfectually protect the individu.
Il in the enjoyment OF his right, tie
state must have power to protect
itself
Whatever destroys or weakens the
moral, intellectual or physical powers
of the individual, Injuries the state, as
the state is bnt aggregation OF in
dividuals, and should be restrained or
prohibited by law.
A wise and good government seeks
continually the greatest good to the
greatest nvmber Of It's citizens, and
anything that is undeniably, newt
ably and essentially injurious to large
majority of the people, is a proper
subject Tor Legislation, even though Its
use, in a few instances, may seem
to be beneficial
The use Of alcoho!;c beverages is
undeniably and inevitably injurious to
an overwhelmingly large majority Of
our fellow citizens who use it.
The traffic in Intoxicating liquors is
destructive Of the general welfare. 1t
increases taxes, it fills our land with
criminals, it cndangers lite, it endang-
ers property, it lowers the standard Of
public morals, it is an evil which d.
rectly or indirectly reaches every
family, every social circle, and stalks
forth, reproach to the civilization of
the nineteenth century. all over our
state.
1t hangs like an incubus on labor,
and robs industry of it's just reward:
it is the great source of pauperism;
the great foundation of crime. 1t fills
the poor-houses and peoples our jails.
1t is Il pr6iic evil, affecting every
community and every citizen, interior
ing with every mans happiness, and
coming squarely in collision with
every mans rights.
These propositions, your committee
believe to be true, and in support OF
them We would call your attention to
the following facts ond figures:
In 1876, the tax collected by the
internal revenue department was upon
II, 425;353 gallons OF proof spirits
and 6,0o1, $40 barrels Of fermentea
liquors.
In 1869, commissioner Delano esti-
mated the consumption of distilled
spirits at 50, 600, W gallons.
BY the census returns of 1860 there
were produced in the United States,
80, Az, SOL gallons of domestic spirits.
In 1877, the internal revenue de-
partment received S57 ,469. 429 as tax
on distilled spirits, and upwards OF
5000, 600 on termented liquors.
The estimated retail cost of alcoholic
drinks in 1872 was $735, 72O, 04S; and
from 1860 to 1o72-thirteen years
! ,, 1852, 926, O66 gallons were consumed,
at cost of $3.50, 161, sos, besides
large amounts sold illegally, Of which
there is no account.
The annual consumption Of distilled
spirits is not less than 100, 900, U0U
gallons.
DIR. Young estimates the cost Of al
coholic drinks in this country at
$500, 600. 00U annually, or in sixteen
years So, 900, 0UO,00O or about five
times the whole amount of the national
debt.
The average annual cost of intoxi-
eating liquors, as drink, since 1872,
exceeds 1000, 900, 600. AZ, 600. QUO,
600 bushels of grain are annually con-
summed in the manufacture of liquors.
The loss OF time and industry fl ON
this traffic IS probably equal to S566,
Sol, 592
There are GOO, 600 habitual drunk
ards in the United States.
There are $4,000 persons in this
country constantly disabled from the
use OF strong dring.
1855 persons arc annually made in
sane by this evil.
The nation loses annually after de-
Quoting all amounts paid Tor revenue
tax, and for licenses, S1,315. 229,