The Monitor., 1885-05-01
A Useful bureau.

One of the most abused and ridieuled
state departments is the Bureau of sta
tistics of Labor and Industries. Its last
report, however, is one of the strongest
temperance lectures we have read in many
years. In the statistics it has collected il
over the State what are the principal evils
from which they suffer and what is needed
to better the condition of working men.
From the replies we quote:
4 Millville glassblower writes Form
erly the blowers were addicted to drink.
but at present the majority are total alb
stainerS Their condition. moral, social
and intellectual. is generally good.
Another writes-''Laws prohibiting the
manufacture and sale of liquor would inn
prove the workingmans condition.
Another-''Localo option has improved our
condition. \ Clayton glassworker writes
a prohibitory liquor law would de
much for our improvement. Williams
town-"Whiskey and beer are the great
obstacles here From Salem-'lutem-
perance is the cause of very much wretch
edness in our families From Glassboro
THE entire prohibition of the liquor
traffic would improve our circumstances
very much The greatest evil in our
midst is strong drink, writes another,
\ Bridgeton glass worker SayS-'Our
morals are low here, on account of rum.
From Woodbury-'Our condition would
be greatly improved by doing away with
beer Camden-''A majority are moral.
but many drink. Many of the hands driul,
to excess. From Wilton comeS-"The
liquor traffic has had bad effect un our
trade: prohibition would do good. Wins
law-''Strong drink injuries great many
of us. Other workers in glass from these
and many other towns III South Jersey
send replies of a similar tenor. Nearly
every one mentions drink as one of the
banes Of the glass workers life.
The silk workers of Wortendyke say,
Proper encouragement of temperance and
rigid enforcement of the excise laws would
raise us to higher level.
Newark hat makers write: 'iutemper-
ance is losing its hold upon oar working
mem The prohibition of beer in the fac
tories is blessing Men should not
spend So much time in saloons From
Orange-"Drink is the workingman' :
curse. From Springfield" Enforce laws
in aid of morality and sobriety
\ Camden shoemaker writes: "lotym-
perance is fearful curse and we must have
prohbitory law before our condition is
much improved. Yneland - Tobacco
and liquor are a great injury, and working
men would I've better off without them.
BHrlmgton--''E Except for beer and whisky.
we are very moral.
The iron workers Of Trenton write
Too many drink great deal. Rum
does much to lower them. Paterson
Better education and legal prohibition ot
the sale Of liquor
4 Trenton machinist writes: DO not
believe in prohibition entirely, but think
that many workmcn would he better oH
If We had it Another says-''W orking
men drink too much beer for their owl
good.
\ Paterson carpenter says Prohibl
ton of the sale of Intoxicating liquors
would tend to lessen accidents. make bet
ter workmen, and elevate them generally.
These are but a few of the hundreds o
testimonials but they show the sentiment
tlat peryades the entire state And ye
our Legislature refuses to grant the soyer
eign people even the opportunity to decid'
by ballot whether or not the accurse'
traffic in liquor shall continue Asj0.
PtrL JoVaai.