The Evening critic., 1884-03-17
The Liquor Sellers, the Police ana
the Temperance Organizations.

LOWe EuttV " We EUcNWv OTHC.
The Order of Good Templars is under great
obligations to THE CRITIC for the many cour-
tesies In the past, aud especially for calling
attention to-day editorially to tho damnable
practices, go prevalent In this city, of selling
liquor to minors; and we fully believe, as you,
that "the scoundrels who, for the sake OF y few
dollare, sell them the liquor, should BIO pun
fehed 10 the farthest extent OF the law" That
Judge Smell Will do all he can TO stop this lu-
famous business we are certain, but without
the cooperation OF the police we cannot hope
that even this courageous and humane Judge
Will accomplish much. We're 1t not for the
minors nearly all the bar-rooms In this city
would do very much reduced business. The
police force Is perfectly aware Of this fact, and
1t is perhaps for this reason that no
effort Is made by tho police to arrest tho pro.
prletors, who, from their bar and pool.rooms,
staggering TO their homes.
One OF the District Commissioners recently,
before Congressional committee, referred
with pride to the fact that during last year
there had not been single conviction for sell
Ing liquore 10 minors In this District. The
Commissioners cannot be ignorant of the fact,
known to every other resident In this District,
that liquors are sold at almost every ru shop
TO minore. The Good Templars are anxious to
act upon your suggestion that the temperance
organizations should see that Judge Smell Is
supported and sustained In his efforts; but
they are not yet ready to perform the duties
for which q police force is paid and main.
rooms must be as apparent to tho CHIEF and
the Commissioners as It Is to the people gen.
orally, and the responsibility for the constant
Aand fragrant violations OF the law, In not only
selling liquor TO minors, but without license,
on Sundays, during hours prohibited by law,
TO soldiers, to drunkards and Intoxicated per.
cons, must and will be placed where 1t bo
longs.
The Good Tomplars agree with THE CRITIC
"that 1t is one OF the hardest things In the
world to conquer the appetite for drink, after
IL has been once formed, and IL the temperance
cause Is TO be successful, II must BIO by educat-
Ing the rising generation. The boys must be
taught that 1t is crime to drink" and
therefore, the order has established and Is
fostering q number OF juvenile temples where
tho children are receiving temperance edu
cation, and permission has also been secured
from the School Trustees to place total abstl-
nence.pledges In the several schools OF this
District, whereby IL Is hoped TO lay fOunda-
ton for sober and useful life for the rising
generation and secure to the community tho
full benefit of tho care and expense incurred
in training the children, that they might be.
come useful members OF society.
AS an organization our every effort is direct
ed to give practical direction to tho temper
ance reformation, and we hope that the re-
suits OF our labors are, and Will continue to be,
such as to carry conviction TO the people that
our methods are correct, as we'll as that wo
are thoroughly In earnest.
You are pleased to say that the temperance
organizations should ferret out the places
where the law is violated and bring the law
breakers TO justice. Permit me TO say that the
taxpayers of this District and Congress keep u
police force In pay for that very purpose and
II the present force is unwilling to deal with
these Offenders, as is clearly evident, Congress
should see that the proper remedy be applied.
You Will remember that not long since tho
Good TemplarB presented 10 the District Com.
missioners such evidence from the court rec
orde as would, according TO the Commits
sioners' own ruling, deprive about 300 bar
rooms OF license, and that licenses were,
nevertheless, granted for these, although tho
Commissioners had perfect power TO refuse.
When the barroom interests are thus backed
lehp by the District Commissioners, and are let
severely alone by tho police, 1t is not to be won.
dered at that the temperance organizations
are called upon TO come TO the rescue and pro.
tect the community against the terrible raw
ages OF the saloon. To the police and the
courts belong the detection and punishment
OF crime. II 10 the duty OF the Commission.
ers TO provide an efficient corps OF police. To
educate the people, shield and protect the
young, rescue the fallen and secure better
| laws are the works that at present claim the
attention OF the temperance organizations. Let
every man work In his station, and as God has
given him ability.
on behalf OF our order thank THE CRITIC
| for its able and manly defense OF our young
against the dreadful influences of the bar-roOm,
| and beg TO assure you and your readers that
| In this warfare there Is enlisted no more
| earnest and determined agency than the Good
| Templars, and that every practical measure
| for the promotion OF temperance and the sup
| preston OF the liquor tranlc iinds In our
| order champion
Very respectfully,
| A. KALsTRoaG,
G. W. Ohief remplAr.
| WASHINGTON, d. o., March IA, 1884.