St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-01-30
Our Boston Letter.
A TEMPERANCE LETTER, MAINLY.
RnSTnN Ion Ok 1870


Editor of the Cdledonian Last eve
ming Mrs. Hunt of Hyde Park made a
most interesting address before the
| WOmen's Christian Temperance Union,
in the Methodist church on fremont
street. Less than IL months since, she
became especially interested in the
Temperance work, and already promises
to be one of their most talented speak
ers. Many now think she will surpass
Mrs. Livermore in the lecture field,
when she has had little more expert
ence in the work.
In the course of the lecture she made
some significant statements and quoted
some facts from State Reports, which
are well worth considering. In the 18th
Annual Report of this state, we find rs
thousand persons are wholly or partially
supported by public charity, or one in
fifty-nine a pauper; thus costing the
state one million five hundred and
ninety-six thousand dollars; and with
other expenses, much more. Do you
ask how can this be possible, in state
that has been a favored spot of the
world for so long time? The state
has asked two questions through her
State Board of Health, to ascertain
what proportion of her population are
paupers in consequence of intemper-
ance, and what proportion of her chill
dren. Take Boston first, and the
Overseers of the Poor report 80 per
cent. in answer to both questions, and
also state the great, almost only cause
of crime can be traced to either drunk
enness on the part of husband or wife,
or both.
Other reports from towns and cities
in the state range from 100 per cent.
to One-sixth. Perhaps the average
mean would give us nine-tenths of the
rs, 900 paupers. But you state there is
some gain or offset from the license law.
On the contrary we learn that there is
heavy loss, many thousand dollars
difference in the debt and credit ac-
count of what is received and what is
gained by pauperism in the state. This
is viewing it from commercial stand
point; but from moral one, are we
not far enough removed from barbarism
to feel that this Judas-like money is
any compensation for wrecked lives and
souls.
Last year this state spent fifty million
dollars for strong drink. 1t is princi
pie in Political Economy that intrinsic
value spent should bring intrinsic
value. What has it brought to us
Broken hearts, orphan children, terrible
gain in pauperism. In the Annual Re-
port of 1873, concerning the Reforma-
tory for Women, it is found the crimi-
nal increase is three times greater OF
more rapid than any other class.
When visiting this Reformatory some
time since, the Supt. stated they were
SO crowded that they had been obliged
aud use every available space, and then
were continually sending from to 20
away daily. If they would only shut
up the grOg-shOps, this would cease.
OF the 400 women in this home only
3 classes, (pick-pockets, shop-lifters
and counterfeiters) could not afford to
drink for they must keep their intel
lects sharp and keen to prosecute their
business. Think of it A millions of
persons, native born, not able to read,
and millions to write Can this nation
afford to SOW such seeds of ignorance
and raise such generation of paupers
to control the laws and politics of our
country Other nations and countries
are watching with great interest the
growth and prosperity of this Republic
can form of government and can fore
see the future riots and revolutions we
are fostering in our midst. Will the
results of pauperism, crime, sickness
and death pay us for retaining the Lii
cense Law?
The trial of Mr.. Charles Demond, for
merly treasurer of the Home MissiOna-
ry Society, is continued this week in
the Superior Criminal Court. His books
are considered correct until 1876, but
from that time to 1879, he cOnfesses to
having made false statements to the
Committee and Auditors about invest
ments. There is great division of
public feeling concerning the man and
his proceedings; some censuring him
and denouncing his course of conduct,
while others have their sympathy
strongly enlisted in his favor, and a
strong pressure will probably be
brought to bear to have him exonerat-
ed. q.