Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-07-06

enforced. 1t does not touch at all |
the question of total abstinence. or
of moderate indulgence; it has no
concern with either prohibition or IL
cense; 1t simply accepts the laws as
they are, and demands that thew be |
executed. The movement is support
ed by men of all shades of temper
ance sentiment. 1t unites them in
the belief that, when the laws are
broken, good citizens should COM
bine to prevent the violation, and to
punish the criminal. This attempt
as embodied in actual organizations
has usually received the name of the
ssCitizens' Law and Order League"
Societies of this general nature are
now formed and working in nearly
every large city, and in not a few
small towns. Among the first or
CARNATIONS of this character was one
instituted in Chicago soon after the
July liots of 1877. At the time of
it's formation, it is estimated that
fully thirty thousand boys and girls
were daily patrons of the saloons.
Crimes committed by children we're
many, and showed a constant and
alarming increase. The source of
these crimes could generally be trac-
ed to the use of liquor. In view of
these evils the "Citizens' League"
was formed, and its work has more
than justified its existence. 1t has
succeeded in prosecuting more than
1000 dealers for illegal sales. The
dealers have been taught, to great
er or less degree, to observe the pro-
| visions of their licenses. Hundreds
Of boys have been led to refrain from
drinking. A healthier public senti-
ment has been cultivated.
The Boston League had an origin
similar to that of Chicago. The Su-
perintendent of Newsboy's Home
was panied to see that many of the
lads were tippllng. He knew we'll
the evils of the habit. He also knew
that the statute made the sale of Ii
quor to minor crime. Investiga-
ton proved that many saloons
sought the trade of children, and of
very small children by means of
games and other attractions. He
therefore determined to execute the
law. To his aid he invited well-known
citizens. An incorporated associa-
ton was thus formed. This associ-
alton in eighteen months prosecuted
four hundred violators of the liquor
laws. 1t secured over three hundred
convictions. Its work was at least
one factor in lessening the number of
Sunday arrests for drunkenness in
one year from twenty-five hundred
and twenty-three to fifteen hundred
and seventy-fOur. Massachusetts
now contains near hundred leagues
Each is endeavoring to oblige dealers
to keep the laws. The city of Brook.
lyn likewise is at the present, under
an association of its citizens, doing
much to prevent sales to minors, te
those intoxicated and on Sunday
Wherever the attempt has been made
with wisdom and persistence to unite
citizens in an organization to secure
obedience to the law, the attempt ha:
succeeded.
The general question is indeed :
temperance question but it is mora
than a temperance question. 1t holds
relations most intimate to the wei
fare of our cities and of the who'll
nation. Shall the cities rule the sa
looms, or shall the saloons rule tn
cities? is the question. TIL
Leagues fund in the country ar
doing much good and should perse
we're in the work. christian at Work
e WASHINGTON LETTER.