The New York herald., 1879-02-08
ABOLISH TREATING.
THE NEW TEMPERANCE SCHEME sPRINGING INTO
PoPULARITY-AN ECLECTIC PLAN OF REFoR-
NATION

PoPULARITY-AN ECLECTIC PLAN OF REFoR-
NATION
Treating" constitutes one of the chief perls at
taching to the custom of mbibing sprituous liquors.
and there are few persons who could not II free from
its sackles rescric the indulgence of their thirst to
decent moderation. man meeting group OF his
friends just as he is bent on obtaining his
afternoon allowance of SHERRY and bltters must if
he does not violate usage and he wishes to do what
is expected of him. ask them all to join him. Suppose
the whole party to number seven. Seven drinks are
poured down throats. willing or unwilling.
What is the immediate result of this hospitality?
Six other individuals feel themselves mortgaged with
obligation to equal it. There may be
little chat and then says :"Ah, let's have
another drink Then seven more drinks are poured
down seven throats. More talk. Another happy
thought by another member of the party. Seven
drinks descend the seven throats. More talk.
fourth inspiration by fourth participant. Some
who has done his fated duty tries to beg off;
has business to transact; ought not to drink
any more. His objection is vetoed by the asking
party, who is already slightly stimulated perhaps.
No shirking, ole feler come on! Repetition of the
gulping act by seven performers. Every one feels
the mellowing influence by this time. Charley"
says No. Six afectionately to the genius of
the bar, "Giv's mother! All hands round!"
drinks. No Seven's turn has arrived. The happy
relief is He happens to be the least experienced
of the party. He is already full of bliss. His
words are few but expressive. ''set EN- up again.
hcv' Up they go. und then down they go--seven
more drinks. Let us see Seven times seven are
forty-nine. And all because felt like taking
little "sherry and bitters" Perhaps he goes home
to his dinner afterward. Perhaps he don't Perhaps
he fails to his wife and nother-inlaw until the
next day. Such is life in country where treating"
is the custom
There are o hundred phases of the evil Not the
least ludicrous is the plight in which tppler finds
himself when he meets at the bar a number of ac-
quainanccs, and is doubly conscious that he has
enough money to go around and cannot get credit
for the requisite number of drinks.
THE NEW SCHEME
Remarks something like the above were addressed
to HERALD reporter by a gentleman who is an
thusiast in the temperance movement The
porter afterward paid visit to MT Henry d. Hadiey:
lawyer whose Office is in the Astor House, one of
the chief promoters of the Business Mems Society for
the Promotion and Encouragement of Moderation.
"Our idea, said Mr.. Hadley, had its origin in
1876 at a meeting Of the Congressional Temperance
Society shortly after the death of Henry Wilson.
That event it was said, Immediately caused by
the excess which he INDUCED in at the dinner
given him at Delmonlco's. 1t was suggested by
me that much more good might be done for the
moderate in their indulgence than by preaching the
doctrine of total abstinence We think it better you
path which he has chosen than to stop him at the
steep decvity where there is danger on either side
OF his falling to greater depths
''But your ultimate aim is to induce men to be
total abstainers?'
'Yes, where they cannot drink without getting
drunk. We have nothing to say against wine to such
control themselves in partaking of it. We
think that man is much more likely to keep the
pledge for fixed term than he would be for all his
life No man can look forward with confidence in his
ability to fulfil promise which covers all Of his fu
ture life"
''Is your society yet organizedY
There is nucleus Of five trustees whose number
may be increased to thirteen. Those that yet to
be added will be selected from the highest social.
business and public positions We are al
ready. assured that one or two Senators
and four Representatives will serve, but
not at liberty to mention their names. Our sys-
tenn of reform tends towdrd total abstinence but by
gradual progress and at the same time recognizes
rights of the manufacturers and sellers of intoxi-
eating beverages. We believe shall gain i'm
me mense following among young men; - was asked by
ETY. to perfect plan for this movement, and they
promised to cooperate with both by their advice
and their influence.
The blue pledge Of the society. which renounces
an emblem representing pelican brooding her
young and having the inscription:-'I live and die
for those love-" On the back of this and also of
the other two cards is the following hymn
Why should you delay any longer;
Turn ABOUT an reform while you can,
Each Gay is the appetite stronger
The chains of the tyraIt
The flames of destruction subdue,
To abstain from the wine cup forever,
Is NE n only sal says.ion sd h;,, ,nr g% or S,uo
In & the pledge 81 there ere .;s Is safety y for you
marraS! arr E?'S for iS the @ red M white and Iinei
And you who refuse to surrender
The pleasures in which you delight
oh list to our plea as We tender
The pledge yes ns s psase ,aa, white
When business attention demands.
For the sake of reputation
Let the glass not be seen in your hands
And though YOU strong. there's brother
Do not offer the glass to another,
Or drink at anothcr,s expense
Just think Of the good you can dol
H"d sais nas sSs Se pledge sh. ous
The white card has a cut of an aquatic scene, in
which several beavers industriously engaged in
building their houses. The pledge is worded so as
to renounce drinking during the hours of the day
which may be required for business. The red card
is intended for those who desire to promise total
abstinence for a certain period. 1t contains cut OF
the City Hall fountain in full play On all the cards
is the legend "A4rea medtoct1tus.
"Will there be any expense attached to member
ship?' asked the reporter.
Not to the signing of the pledge. The rules
of the subordinate ciubs will be framed by them
selves. There is already an organization in Philade
phia.'
part of our idea" continued Mr.. Hadley. lis to
make places of amusement cheap as possible and
to establish some nj which nothing Intoxicating is
sold We have already had from manufacturers
offers to loan more billiard tables than We can
THE PRAISE OF MODERATION.
care you teetotaller yourself y
''Yes: not because disapprove entirely of whis-
key but because it is better tor III some respects
Drinking would make too icshy. The fact s you
will find no two stomachs alike any more than you
will find two faces the same. What will do for
person will not do for another. We are trying to
meet this diversity of conditions. One thing we
would ask of the press and that is to deal with us
without prejudice.
THE prohibition of treating does not extend to
the hospitality which may teel like Offering III
his own house. does ity
"Oh no; that is excepted, of course.
ORGANIZING.
A meeting of the ncorporators and trustees of the
Business Mems Society OF Moderation was held ON
Friday evening at the residence Of Mr.. Elwood Il.
Tnorne. No. l3j West Twenty-sccond street. Plans
for permanent organization were agreed upon and
the names of several prominent business men were
suggested for ofhcers but owing to the absence OF
Mr. Thurlow Weed who was called upon to accept the
presidency of the association, no permanent
organization concluded. II was stated
at this meeting that Mr.. Weed would accept n vice
presidency, but though he was in full sympathy with
the movement his age and infrmities would deter