The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-03-10
Abolish Treating.
The New Temperance scheme sprinaipr
into Popularity-An Eclectic Plan of
Reformation.
New York Heraldl

NEW lOrk deId01
Treating constitutes one of the chief perils
attaching to the custom of imbibng sprituots
liquors, and there are few persons who could
not, if free from its shackles, restrict the ill.,
diligence of their thirst to decent moderation,
A man meeting a group of his friends just Tvs
he is bent on obtaining his afternoon allowance
of 'sherry and bitters" must, if he does. not
violate usage and if he wishes to do v, LAT is ex.
pected of him, ask them all to iiOi., him. Sup-
pose the whole party to numh..er sevep. Seven
drinks are poured down Sven threats. willing
or unwilling. What il the immediate result of
this hospitality? SIX other individuals feel
themselves mort, aged with an obligation to
equal 1t. There may be little chat and then
some one says: "Ah, let's have another
drnk!. Then seven more drinks are poured
down seven throats. More talk. Another
happy thought by another memb sr of the party.
Seven more drinks descend the seven throats
More talk. A fourth inspiration by fourth
participant. Some one 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 sinking
old teller, come upw Repetition of the gulp-
ing act by seven performers. Every one feels
the mellowing influence by this time "Char-
ley, says No. Six affectonately to the genius
Of the bar, "Giv's mother! All hands round !"
Encore the feat of seven men swallowing seven
drinks. No. SeveD's turn has arrived. The
happy relief is near He happens to be the
least experienced of The party. He is already
full of bliss. HIS WORDS are few but expressive.
"Set 'em up again, hicw Up thew 60, and then
down they go-seven more drinks. Let us see.
Seven times seven are forty-nine. And all re.
cause one man felt like taking a little SHERRY
end bitters." Perhaps be goes home to his
dinner afterward. Perhaps be don't. Perhaps
he fails TO see bis wife aid mother.iu-law until
the next day. Such is life in country where
Treating" is the custom.
There are hundred phases of the evil, Not
the least ludicrous il the plight in which tin.
pier finds himself when he meets at the bar a
number of acquaintance, and is doubly con-
scious that he has not enough money to 20
around and cannot get credit for the requisite
number of drinks.
Remarks something like the above were adj
dressed to Herald reporter by gentleman
who is an enthusiast In the new temperance
movement. The reporter afterward paid Wis
it to Mr.. Henry H Hadly, lawyer whose of
nee is In the Astor House, one of the chief pro-
motors of the Business Mems Society for the
Promotion and Encouragement of Moderation.
sour idea," said Mr.. Hadey, had its origin
in 1876 at meeting of the Congressional Tenn.
perance Society shortly after the death of g. en-.
~ Wilson. That event, it was said was imtue.
diately caused by the excess which he induced
In at the dinner given him at Delmonico's. II
was suggested by me that much more good
might be done for the temperance cause by la.
boring to Induce men to be moderate in their
INDULGENCE than by preaching the doctrine of
total abstinence. We think it better you know
to 90 along with a man little way on the path
which be has chosen than to stop him at the
steep declivity where there is danger on either
side of bis falling 10 greater depths"
"But your ultimate aim is to induce men to
be total sbstainers."
"Yes, where they cannot driok without get.
ting drunk. We have nothing to say against
wine to such as can c0Dtro! themselves 10 par
taking of it, We think that man is much
more likely to keep the pledge for fixed t.rr,
than be would be for all bis life. No man ~" I'm
look forward with confidence in bis ability IN
fnl6l promise which covers all of his future
life."
us your society yet rgapized?"
"There is nucleus of five trustees whose
number may be Increased TO thirteen Those
that are yet to b. added will bs selected fom
the highest sociAi" business and public no i ions
We are already assured that one Or two Sepa.
tors and four Representatives will serve, but L
am not ct liberty 10 mention their names Oar
system OF reform tends toward total abstinence.
but by gradual progress, aud &C the same time
~ recognizes rights of the manu- cturers and
sellers 81 intoxicating beverages We b,lieye
we email gain an immense following among
young men, 1 was ssked by the members of
the Congressional Temperance Society IN No.
feet plan for this move mt Mt, and inv 80,
Used to Cooperate with US. both by their adv g.
and IL fuence." ou' 10
TbeIblue pledge of the society which re,or,
ces only the practice of "treating," is emhaI-
lisbed with an emblem, representing a pelican
brooding her young, and having the inscription
III live aud die for those love-"
The white card has cut of an aquatic scene,
In which several beavers are iDdustricusly en-
gagged 10 building their houses. The pledge is
worded so IS to rep ounc. drinking during the
h"nrs of the day which may be required for |
business.
The red card is intended for those who desire
to promise total abstinence for certain period. |
1t Contains cut of the City Hall fountain in
1nI play 90 al the cards is the legend: "Aa-
req n,ediocritus"
WI to-r- be any expense attached to mp M
Dars9'pI ask tho r. porter.
Nos 70 the mere signing of the pledge. The
rules OF the subordinate clubs will be fia,oed bv
In Philadelphia - h"- i1a'ion
=. Part OF our idea," continued Mr.. Brad,ev
lis to maze places of amusement as cbean az