The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-05-02

What proportion of the money spent in dram
shops ever comes back to bless the men who
spend it or the community in which they
live?
1t may be said the dramseler spends his
money for the support of his family. 1T we
admit this why should man be permitted
to wreck twenty Or thirty families that he
may support his own?
Again, why may not the rumseller engage
in some other business that will bring a
blessing rather than curse to the com
munity?
In considering the cost of the liquor traffic
to our state we must remember that there are
5000 dramsellers and probably 1000 other
persons engaged in the business. 1T these
people were to earn only one dollar day that
would make three million dollars year.
Then we are to consider the time lost by
drinking men which would probably amount
to three millions more. We must also calcu-
late, if possible the amount of money lost by
the destruction of property through drunken
men. Railroad trains have been wrecked,
buildings have been burned, and property OF
various kinds has been ruined, the value OF
which no one can accurately estimate.
Not long since we passed a glass establish
ment that was unoccupied and on inquirlng
the cause we were told that dram-shop had
been opened near by and the workmen be-
came frequently intoxicated which led to the
destruction of pots of glass This SO discour-
aged the manufacturer that he closed his bust
ness.
Railroad companies will not employ drink
ing men for the reason that they dare not en-
trust them with the care of human life or
property. We must also take into account
the cost of prosecuting and Furnishing GRIM
inals All our judges agree that at least three
fourths of the crime committed in our state is
direct result of rumselling Ninety per
cent of our paupers come from the dram
shops that exist in our midst.
In addition to all this we must take into
consideration $2s, 900, 900 that pass over the
bars in our state directly for the liquor that
men purchase.
Altogether the direct and indirect cost of
the liquor traffic amounts to more than $780,,
900, 600 year in New Jersey. Suppose we
tax every dram-shop an average license fee
of 800 year, that will amount to 5000, 900;
and the average of 800 would make some
fees at least $500, as many dram-shops only
pay from $40 to 800 year. According to
these figures the state would lose annually
$49, 100000. Why should we foster bust
ness that entails such frightful loss on the
state? Who pays these bills? Dramselers
pay but very small percentage of our tax
and aside from the tax, sober people engaged
in other business are the losers.
How long do good men intend to permit
this horrible evil to remain in our midst? No
one can show any good reason why dram
shops should be licensed and we invite any
one to confute, if they can, the charges that
we prefer against this all pervading and all
comprehending crime. Reputable men ought
to be ashamed to talk of the amount of license
fees that may be collected for the privilege of
running men and destroying property. We
believe that an outraged people will soon rise
up against the political parties that have adj
mitted dramsellers to full membership in
their political family
When Christ and Belial are united then the
dram-shop may be Endorsed by good men.
How long will good citizens pay tribute to
this Moloch of hell Temperance Gazette.