Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-08-28
IN SCANDINAVIA.
THE GoTHENeURG LICENSING SYS-
TEN OF PROMOTING TEMPERANCE
Chat with the Originator of the New
Laws-For the Good of the Working
Glasses Some Surprising
Results
Robert Porter's Go,henburg Letter.l

Glasses Surprising
Results
Robert Pcrter's Gothenburg Letter.l
Through the foi:eness Of Capt G. W.
Schroeder. our vice consul, was introduced
to S. a Hedlund, proprietor AMI editor OF
The Gothenburg Commercial and Shipping
Journal and Mauritz Rubenson, associate
editor Of the same journal Under tho per-
sonal guidance OK these gentlemen was en-
abled to learn many interesting facts relat-
ing TO the several peculiar institutions o:
Gothenburg. Mr.. Hsdlund. who is well
known throughout the United States. is the
father OF the Gothenburg licensing system,
which, from the beginning Of this town, has
spread throughout Scandinavia. and at the
present moment is being studied by the So
cisl scientists of many other countries
In reply to Mr.. Hediund's earnest request
to know what he could do for me, I said:
"Tell me all about the Gothenburg licensing
| system. its origin, its object and the degree
Of success attending it
SWELL" said he, "ths Swedes, as you
doubtless know, drink good deal OF brandy.
With the exception OF Denmark AMI per-
haps the Netherlands, we consume per capita
greater quantity Of spirits than any other
country in the world. 1t is needless for me
to discuss the craving for brandy and its
immoderate consumption in Sws len Unt
within comparatively recent time every
land owner in Sweden possessed the right to
distili Swedish brandy, spirit made from
grain or potatoes, containing Sd per cent. OF
alcohol. Tie country was on the verge OF
ruin from the deluge Of spirits pouring
forth from myriads OF small distilieries.
There was uell-nigh public house to every
cottage"
NEW SYSTEM.
what was the first step TO remedy this
condition of affairs.'
"In 1855 new laws for regulating the d IS
tilling and sale of spirits came into force.
The object was TO increase the difficulty OF
procuring intoxicating drinks. By this law
1T wa, left to the communes to decide not
only in what manner and within what
limits it should be carried on, but even
whether it might take place at all within
their jurisdiction. This paved the way for
the Gothenburg system, as it Is termed
How did that originated
"Tbe laws OF 1855 did not reach the core
of the question, especially in the towns.
The rural districts were, undoubtedly, benz
flied Drink threatened to sap tie life
blood of the towns. On holidays and Sun
days troops of drunken people might have
been seen reeiing about the streets OF this
very town, while within the saloons the
most deplorable and scandalous scenes were
enactej. With n population of about 81, 900
nearly ) 800 persons were annually arrested
and finei for drunkenness-10 per cent. OF
the population arrested But these figures
do not give an adequate idea Of the evils
arising from immoierate brandy drinking.
They must be looked for in the nature and
extent OF pauperism; in the deplorabls phys
ical, moral and economic condition into
which greater part of the poorer popula-
ton not only Of Gothenburg, but all tho
towns Of Sweden had been plunged Con-
scious Of this condition of affairs, and being
at the SANE time member of the munic-
ipaI council of Gotherburg introduced a
resolution March 81, 1864 proposing to ap-
point committee for investigating the
actual condition of pauparism in the town.
a year later tie committee presented with
it. report plan of "A new system for or
ganizing the liquor traffic in Gothenb1rg.'
THE POORER CLASSES.
AT the time OF your investigation and re-
port, what was the condition Of the working
classes of Gothenburg31
We satisfied ourselves that intemperance
is not eau Ell by the cravings OF a coarse
sensuality alone. That the trsacherons
quality IF brandy to warm. il but for n
time, tho shivering and thiniy clad FRAME
10 asSuage the gnawiaSs If hunger. 10 slim
uiate the failing strength of the Over-workel
and poverty-Striczen, are reasons both FIR
its Use AMI GbU~e too often overloosel bv
temperance reformers. Squalid. unhealthy
dwellings. wretched clothing. poor and in
sufficient football these combined produce
ii state f detection and debility, moral and
ply -icai. which persons who have inves.i-
gated tie subject consider leading cause
of drunkenness among the poorer classes,
suffering n they do from want and man.
fold pIivation."
How did the idea that the town should
undertake the sale of liquor first occur to
the commit.ee!"
.Iu the first place we had little faith in
tie variou' plans proposed, which, as you
know, vary from high license and limiting
the hours OF sale to prohibition. One Of the
strongest arguments for keeping up public
houses, at least TO certain amount, was
that there NUT be sufficient number OF
places uhere worSingmen can purchase
food Til was likewis, brought forward
a. weighty objection to Sunday or holiday
closing This undoubtedly suggested the
idea OF turning tie saloons into eating
houses ana making the sale Of drink incl
dental
"How was this donef-
by transferring the saloon licenses to a
company, consisting Of persons who engage
in tie undertaking, not for the sake OF profit,
hut solely for the good of the workiny
classes. TIE members of the company can
not lay claim to any profits, which, as soon
ali expenses IF management, "a well as o
per cent. annual interest on the capital in
vested in it by the shareholders. have been
paid. shall be annually made over 10 the
town treasury"
"What has ieen tine effect OF the system,'
1t has reduced the number Of public
houses from about sixty t. twenty five. AMI
these de facto eating houses are healthy,
light and roomy. Relatively speaking, the
annual arrests for drunkenness have de-
clinei more than half In 1876 the sale
of spirits reached their greatest height, and
since has steadily declined No one the least
intoxicated can procure spirituous drink
in Gothenburg-no youth under IS years:
nor is it sold On SUNDAY, except the usual
dram before dinner.
FOOD AND DRINK.