New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-24

.NEW-YOKF
there had been another person to assist him, or
il there had been another wire so that he could
have sent his messages through promptly, the
accident could not have happened.
The news that tho Grand Shcrcef OF Mecca
has been deposed indicates that Abdul liamid
is taking vigorous measures to retain his posi-
tion rs the head of Islam. The last Grand
Sherecf was murdered because he resisted
the Sultans authority and was favorable to the
British. His successor has been suspected OF
being too kindly disposed toward the scheme
of AL Arabian Klaifate. 1t is q matter OF Lille
and death for the Sultan to hold his authority
over the Arabs, and he will hesitate at no eX-
treme measures to do this He has failed 10
pose before the Mussulman world as the arbiter
of Egypt and this has increased the feeling
of distrust among the Faithful. Therefore,
lie must DO something else TO strengthen hlm-
self and the removal of the Grand 5hereei is
probably the first open step in this dlrcct on
According TO some prophecies, the Messiah,
FL Mehdi, whose coming is looked for by many
Mahomctans, is due Nov, wber II. As FL
supersede him for a time, the Sultan will
doubtless be relieved when that date Is passed.
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SIZE or TIE TEMPERANCE QUESTION
1t does no good for men to snecr at the
agitation in regard to the liquor traffic. The
subject is too important to be laughed down.
1t may be that prohibition is not the right
way to settle it, or that license Is not, or that
taxation is not; these are fair questions upon
which a difference of opinion between SINCERE
and candid men is possible. But the subject
has become altogether too important to he
ignored, or passed over without any serious
attempt to settle it. Aside from the law
defying spirit which it has elected, aside from
all its moral and religious aspects, the question
considered purely as one of dollars and cents,
in its effect upon the National prosperity and
wealth, Is one of the most important that
can lie named
Directly and indirectly, this country spends
in the liquor traffic every year sum exceed
ing half the National debt. The cost of that
traffic to the country, direct and Indirect Is
greater than the profits of all its capital not
in, ested in real estate. 1t costs every year
more than our whole Civil Service, our Army,
our Navy, our Congress, including the River
and Harbor and the Pension bills, our wastcful
local governments, and all National, State,
county ard local debts, besides all the schools
in the country. In fact, this Nation pays
more for liquor than for every function Of
every kind of government. How is ques-
ton of that size to be put aside with sheer
As these statements may seem surprising 10
those who have not looked into the matter,
a few figures may he of service. A glass of
beer costs the consumer cents, and there
are at least twenty i'll the gallon. and Gao IN
the barrel, SO that beer Tetalls at about 80
a barrel, while ale costs still more he con-
SUMPTION of beer and ale last year was
about 1j,00O,O0O barrels cost to consumers
about $lSO,COO,O00. The cheapest kind of
liquor used, ordinary whiskey, is rarely sold
at cents, and averages at least cents
drink; at half gill to the horn" this makes
81 IS per gallon. The consumption last year
was about 100000 900 gallons cost to con-
sumeIs about $3l3,OO00OO. Adding wines,
there is certainly spent for drink more than
$500. 100000, and the entire sum raised 10y
taxes of all kinds, National State, county,
city, town and school district, is stated on
authority of the Census Bureau to be not more
than about 500, COO
But the cost of the liquor drunk is not by
any means the whole cost Of the liquor traffic.
An official report, prepared with much labor
by the Bureau of Statistics OF Massachusetts,
under authority from the Legislature, states
that 81 per cent Of all the crime and criminal
expenses in that state comes directly from
the abuse Of liquor. There are at least one
in twenty of the abe-bodi2d men i'll this
county who are rendered idle by their habits
or incapactated for work, and these persons
at the ordinary wages of wUrkngnen, would
earn, if industrious and fairly employed, over
$500, 100000 yearly. The proportion OF
persons in hospitals who reach them be-
cause OF excess il drink is very large, but
cannot be definitely asceItained
4 traffic that costs in actual payment and
in los, of productive labor more than half
the National debt every year Is not to be
ignored by the economist 1t may be assumed
that the entire wealth Of the country has risen
from $30.OOO,O 100000 in 1870 TO
SO. OOO, 900, 900 in 1850, about onc-half
being in real estate. Probably it does not
average profits exceeding per cent yearly,
taking bad investments with good, but at
that rate the yearly interest on all personal
property of ali kinds is only %l,OOO,OOO, 900,
and the dlect or indirect cost of the liquor
traffic must be greater.
These comparisons do not constitute reasons
for doing any UNJUST or unwse thing. What
ought to be done about the liquor traffic is
not to be decided hastily OF without due
regard ;Or the rights OF all classes OF citizens.
But the time has gone by in this country