The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-01-09
LIQUOR DRINKING ABROAD.

Brandy Drinking and Consequent Disease,
Want and Misery Constantly Increasing
in Switzerland.
+ The liquor traffic in the United States
is an unmitigated evil against which
every influence should be brought to
bear, but when it is compared to what
it is in some European countries, the
Nation may well congratulate itself
In Great Britain drunkenness among all
classes goes far beyond what it does
here, and especially is woman degraded
that way. With us it is comparatively
a rare thing to see one reeling along
the streets, but it common sight in
the large cities of that country. The
evil is, however, fully recognized, and
constant efforts are being made to sup
press it, and to limit the traffic which
makes it possible.
In Switzerland last summer most
curious thing occurred bearing upon
this subject. An official inquiry was
made into the liquor traffic and its re-
suits upon the people, prompted by
numerous petitions sent up from the
various environments for legislation
against the evil. Statistics were given
showing that more brandy was con sum
ed per capita in Switzerland than in
any other country in Europe, and that
this was constantly increasing. Core
spending with this increase, it was also
shown, was the growth of mental dis
eases, while want and misery among
the people were spreading RAPIDLY.
Strange to say, in the face of all the
facts given, the Federal Council, wise
and far-seeing as it has proved itself in
many directions, absolutely refused
even to recommend restrictive Iegisla-
ton. Worse than this, in its report to
the Assembly, it boldly defends social
drinking in the following words:
''The practice of the social drinking
of spirituous liquors brings a cheerful
temper into society, effaces the traces
of daily labor, opens the heart to other
impressions, and is intimately associated
with the development of public life.
The public house fosters intellectual
activity, and is a remedy against mis-
anthropy, egotism, vanity, narrowness
tion."
1t is said that the report took the
country by surprise, and it is not
strange There might have been rea-
although in the face of the terrible
facts given it is difficult to imagine
what they could be-why immediate
legislation in that direction would not
he thought wise, but to uphold the evil
in such an unqualified manner is a mat
ter for shocked establishment. The
only explanation is that a majority
of the Council must have a money
interest in the traffic which no
consideration Of public good will lead
them to imperil: The statement that
the public house is a remedy against
misanthrOpy, ETC., is such manifest
distortion Of truth as to require no at
tempt at .refutatiOn anywhere. 1t is
only matter of surprise that the
Council would permit such report to
be sent to the Assembly, and that so
many months have been allowed to pass
by since that time without anything
farther being heard upon the subject.
The agitation in our country is such
as to promise much for the future. The
same money getting influences must be
fought against, but the public attention
has been too thoroughly aroused to let
the matter rest, even though such legis-
lation as the repeal OF the Scott law
shows the power which has to be met
and overcome. Toledo Blade.