West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-09-29

- NeNo ~ A'ot W. Litn ~ Su66I
at the agitation in regard to the
liquor Traffic. The subject is too
important to be laughed down.
Aside from the law-deiying spirit
which 1t has ELECTED, aside from all
its moral and religious aspects, the
question considered purely as one OF
dollars and cents. in lite effect upon
the National prosperity and wealth,
Is one OF the most important that
can be named.
Directly and indirectly, this
country spends in the liquor traffic
every year asum exceeding bali the
National debt. The cost Of that
traffic to the county, direct aud in
direct, Is greater tnan the profits OF
all its capital not invested in real
estate. 1t COSTS every year more
than our whole Civil Service, our
Army, our Navy, our Congress, in
Guiding the River and Harbor and
the Pension bills, our wasteiul looal
! governments, aud all National, State,
county and local debts, besides all
the schools in the country. In fact,
this Nation pays more for liquor han
for every function OF every kind OF
government. How is a question of
that size to be put aside with a
sneel?
AS these statements may seem
surprising to hose who have not
looked into the matter, few figures
may be OF service. A glass of
beer costs the consumer cents, and
there are at least twenty in the gal
lon, auc GAO in barrel, so that beer
reiaiIs at about $50 barrel, while
ale costs still more The consume
ton Of beer and ale last year was
about 100000 barrels: cost tocon =
sumers about $3.50 100000. The
cheapest kind Of liquor used, ordi-
nary whiskey, is rarely sold at 5
cents, and averages ut least 7 cents
a drink; at half glll to the horn
this makes 81 48 per gallon. Tho
consumption last year was about TO-
OOO0O0 gallon; cost to consumers
about 1913, 100000 Adding wines.
there is certainly spent for drink
more than $8OO.OO0,OOO, aud the en-
tire sum raised by taxes OF all kinds,
National, State, county, city, town
and school district, is stated on an
tbority Of the Census Bureau to be
not more than about 100000.
But the cost Of the liquor drunk
IS not by any mems the Wbo cost
OF the liquor traffic. An official re-
port, prepared with much labor by
the Bureau Of SDatistca Of Massachu.
sets, under authority from the Leg
isIature, states that 48 per cent oil
all the crimes and criminal expenses
In that State comes directly from
the abuse Of liquor. There are at
least one in twenty ofthe able bod.
led men in this country who are
rendered idle by their habits or in
capacitated for work, and these Der
sons, at the ordinary wages OF work
ingmen, would earn, if industrious
end fairly employed, over 100000
900 yearly.
a traffic that costs in actual pay -
ment and in loss Of productive labor
more than half the National debt
every year is not to be ignored
What ought to be done about the
liquor traffic - not 10 be decided
hastily or without due regard for the
| rights Of all classes Of citizens. But
the time bss gone by 10 this country
whsn serious discussion OF a ques-
ton that involves such vast ex-
pens8 70 the NdtIoh can De proven TO-
ted by bullying, Intolerance, insol
ence or ridicuIe. The very prscti-
cal people, having begun to think
about the matter in earnest, per
ceives that it is much too important
to be put aside at the diotat.on Of
saloon keepers. IF soy just and rea
sonsb.e proposition can be made that
viii add oue-hsllto The savings and
she prosperity OF The Nation, IL will
not be pat down by a sheer, nor
defeated by a law breaking mob.
on Wednesday Of asst week Er.
CONKLISG went down TO the depot at