Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-01-03
Congress and Alcoholism.

BY Don-partisan vote the House of
Representatives recently authorized the
appointment of select committee on
the alcoholic liquor traffic. The purpose
to be subserved in the appointment of
this committee was thorough investl-
cation of this particular business; to
examine its effects upon the public NOR
ais, to ascertain it's cost to both drinkers
and taxpayers, and to collect such other
information as would warrant Congress
in mitigating some of the evils resulting
from intemperance. The appointment
of this committee lay in the hands of
Speaker Carlisle, whose devotion to the
Kentucky distilling interest is known
far and wide. Mr.. Carlisle, whUse De-
mocracy is of the rankest growth, has
performed his duty, but in a way and
manner calculated to nullify the inten-
tions of those who we're successful in
raising the committee. Of the nine
members constituting the committee,
six voted against its formation and
three in favor. Thus two-thirds of the
committee are opposed to any investiga-
tion, and will do whatever lies in their
power to shield the alcoholic liquor
traffic from the assaults of temper.
ance fanatics as Democrats delight tO
call the opponents of inebriety. The
election of this hostile committee, two
thirds being Democrats, is distinct no
ti6catiOn to the friends of temperance
that no regard will be paid to theiI
wishes. Their petitions will be disre.
garded, and all their efforts to place the
liquor business before the country in its
true character will signally fail. This
is the reward which the temperance ele-
ment receives for having helped the
Democrats to majority in the present
House of Representatives. A year agC
last fall the teetotalers of Ohio and 9th
or States practically allied themselves
with the Democracy, and put forth theil
best efforts. as some of them openly de
clared, for the ruin of the Republican
party. In this Congressional district i
Republican, who ought to have beer
elected by two or three thousand ma
jority was defeated, and the Democrati,
attorney of the Liquor Dealers Associa
tion elected. Prohibitionists Joined will
rumsellers in producing this result. AM
precisely what took place here occurred
other districts and other States. Th
majority which the Prohibitionists help
ed to place in the lower branch of Con
gress has taken an early opportunity t,
give them the grand bounce" The,
have been snubbed through the Demo
cratic Speaker, who has put complet
extinguisher upon their hopes and plans
They may get down on their knees an,
shed tears of entreaty, but the fiat ha
gone forth to kick them out and kee
them out. In this particular case, a
IN many others, the advocates of tn
rum interest have triumphed. Perhap
the Chic Prohibitionists will have bet
ter luck with the Democratic Legisla
ture they helped to elect last fall. 1t
them try it on. They have a mortgag
on that body. and therefore are entitle
to expect something at its hands. L,
them demand, as they did of the recer
Republican Legislature, the submissio
of prohibiCory constitutional amend
,, ment to the people. Let them go
their Democratic allies with hamme
and tongs and insist upon the righ