West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-02-23

OOUDy reason OF the premature uedCl
Of each incorporate man. Political
econimists tell us this is not mere
speculation, but is an actual loss to
the State. We have no means of
knowing, but do not one hundred
of these men die in West Virginia
every year? If so the loss is ST.
100000. Suppose by prohibition
you could reduce this loss one-half,
it would be saving Of $4,000.
These are not mere speculative
figures. Could all the loss occasioned
by the woe and misery and debauch-
cry be told, the figures would be
greatly enlarged. ..,...--
Again, the State paid last year
for criminal charges s65, 900. For
the support of convicts, pay of
guards, &c, &c, at Penitentiary,
$4,000 An expense Of putting
people in the Penitentiary and keek-
ing them there of s74,50O. The
counties have probably paid out as
much more for the punishment of
misdemeanors. Grand total $780,
900. Now does any body doubt
from what source comes all this
flood of crime which costs the State
so much? 1t is the universal con-
clusion of all observers that three
fourths of it is caused either direct
ly or indirectly by the drink traffic.
But we need not speculate. Of the
1914 prisoners received at the West
Virginia Penitentiary during the
two years ending Sept. Both 1880,
there came from eleven counties
that have granted license for years
past 119; and these counties have
but little over one third the popu-
lation of the State.
Take the ten largest counties
that adhere to the license policy,
viz: Berkeley, Cabell, Harrison,
Jefferson, Kanawha, Mason, Marion,
Ohio, Wetzel and Wood, which have
an aggregate population of 214,618,
and they sont up ninety-six con-
victs, or one to every 2235 inhabi-
tants, while the ten largest coun-
ties that grant no license viz:
Barbour, Jackson, Marshall, Preston,
.Greenbrier, Richie, Roane, Taylor,
Tyler and Upshur, with an aggre-
gate population of 1855, sent up
nineteen convicts, or one to every
7345 of the population. The ratio
is more than three times as large in
the license counties. 1t is fair to
conclude then that hree-fourths of
the s150,O00 criminal expenses are
chargeable to the license counties.
What a saving there would be to
the people if there were no license
counties.
1t cost the State last year about
100000 for the transportation and
support of the insane. 1t will not
be denied that the predisposing
cause Of three-fourths of the insani-
ty is drunkenness. In years to
come the State would save much in
this item of annual expense.
We have no means of knowing
what the counties pay for support
of paupers. Probably not less than
$4,000. This is nearly all occa-
stoned by inebriety either directly
or Indirectly. We pay then,
In criminal charges and support of 800
supper. Of Insane, 5000
support of paupers, 5000
Total, s2s5,OOo
Add to this, numerous other
charges for extra police and criminal
Courts &C., in our cities at least $780,
600 more. Then add our share Of
not less than s60,OOO,OOO the United
States is spending for drink annu-
ally-and our share is not less than
$4,000, for which outlay our peo-
pie get no manner of return'-and
we have a grand total of not less
than s1.085.0OO per annum, three
fourths of which amount the
liquor traffic is costing West
Virginia, and yet men will
stop and stumble and bubble
over the loss of a few thou
sand dollars blood money that some
body will lose if by a Prohibition
Amendment the distilleries and
breweries must be converted into
something useful. Well may Coon
sistency" say, 'Let our legislation
be so shaped as to benefit the whole