The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-27

know that more is paid in one year forintoxicat-
ing drinks. tobacco, fash literature and de-
moralizing amusements than would be required
to pay the national debit And as far as that
money Is contributed by the laboring classes so
far II inipoverishes them, and increases that
aristocracy of wealth." and were 1t used for the
actual needs or these classes 1t would 80 far
lessen The cry of ''hard times" and which cry so
.stirs mp DIR. Georges unselfish (2) heart. While
such mon % perambulating over the country
melting thu laboring classes to greater unrest;
and In such proportion endangering the indus
tries that are so necessary for their comfortable
living, he cannot be ignorant of the fact that the
history of our country is full of instances of men
who, from the very lowest walks OF life, have
risen to the very head of political as well as
financial positions; and which is proof positive
that If some are enjoying these places OF wealth
and influence, while others are In ablect power
ty, 1t Is largely their fault; and, but for
their recklessness and improvidence the wealth
of the country would be more evenly distributed,
less want and moro happiness and comfort with
the masses. Its. equally true that many OF the
now innumerable multitude of women who are
forced to the washtub or other mental labor to
earn living for themselves and the "little
children in the moan" were once the wives or
daughters of men in comfortable circumstances,
or, OF the "merciless aristocracy," but whose
fathers or husbands have sunk their fortunes in
riotous living for strong drink and tobacco. and
from that 'arlstocracy," or the workshop, from
influences. or the babbiing Georges, they are
now filling the roads with tramps
and seeking a degrading charity" to keerthem-
selves from starvation. TOur government rop-
bing the people," eh; when it ia giving every
one who will accept one hundred and sixty acres
OF land, and another one hundred and sixty acres
II he Will plant some trees upon it. 1.-The will only
make it comfortable for himself and family, he
can have three hundred and twenty acres of our
broad domain.
Who ever heard one of those land or labor
reform blataerskites advise their followers to
look well to their. 0utgoes-that penny saved is
penny earned-"to take care of the nickels
and the dollars will take care of themselves"
drunkards life-that to be safe
they should avold their first drink
While there are men who take an occasional
drink and 60 through the world without-wreck-
ing health, morals, or fortune, yet, as SO many
do fall by it's use, it becomes fact beyond dis
pute that no one is safe who thus INDUCES in a
single glass. And what is true of strong drink
is equally SO In regard to the use4of tobacco, al
though it does not make q brute demon of
man as does the other; yet in proportion as it is
used it destroys the energy and nerve Of its vie
tim, and that which is necessary to carry man
through the world successfully in a business
point of view. Men and women are seen OH the
streets and in the various occupations of life
who are mentally and physically wrecked by
Its use as are the victims OF strong drink Nor is
this practice confined to the father and mother
alone. The boys are fast falling into line with
them, and there is more injury being done to
the minor to-day by its use than by the use of
strong drink While the law debars them from
entering She saloonsto obtain liquor, 1t does
not prevent their buying the cigarette, cigar or
tobacco, and which is fast preparing them to
take the place of their father at the saloons.
And while they are being thus educated in their
present filthy habit they become loathing
spectacle to behold.
Nor is it necessary to view these filthy and de-
moralizing habits in the moral and physical
wrecking of their victims, alone Leaving those
consequences out of mind, it is enough for the
laborer or man of small MEANS in any business
occupation to know that those small sums
often drawn from their earnings are wasted to
them, and. whatever they be, leaves SO much
less for the actual necessare5 of life, with
which to increase their business. or to lay away
for the misfortuues of lfe which are liable to
come upon ALL alike The glaring show-bills
seen and renewed every day, reveal the great
draft such amusements make upon
the purses of SO many who need all they can pos
slbly earn for their neccessaries, and to place
them in position of ease and comfort later in
life. Just now in this city thousands may be
seen any day thronging the streets emerging
from one place of amusement alone; and, multi
plying those thousands by ahalf score that rep
resent other such places it can thus be seen
how much the laboriug classes and citizens
OF small means spend at those
and children of those husbands who '.1nd it
difficult to assert their right to earn a living"
and, who, later in life, often 'have to accept a
degrading charity or lstarve." And largely
those are of the class who complain of '''merci-
less aristocracy,,' but to which they are con
stantly contributing their little MEANS as we'll
as complaining that the governments roBbing
the people," all of which they learn to ''prate,"
after hearing the babblings of the GEORGES.
The ly-developed habit of the gentler sex
in attempting to initiate their fathers and big
brothers by masticating their chewing gum,
would seem to deserve q passing notice. but it
looks much like an attempt to rob Mamie
goat and her kid of their prerogative. after hay
ing taken into their stomachs their rations of
straw, to recline upon the front steps and chew
thcir cuds, the soul sickens at the thought Of
failure in, attempting to do the subject justice.
A. S. KINGSLEY.