The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-02-04
IN. Y. Independent.l
The Senate on Temperance.

The Independent, or Mory Glenn
mer as its Washington correspondent,
were found fault with few years ago
for what was said in our columns
about drunkenness in night sessions
of the United States Senate. We
only had to wait to have all we said
and more repeated in plain words on
the floor of the Senate itself.
The matter came up on the discus
sion of the proposed rules of the SEN
ate introduced by Senator Frye, of
Maine. The rules previously have
forbidden the restaurant-keepers in
the Capitol to keep any liquors on
sale. The new rules extended the
prohibition to the committee rooms as
well, and imposed a penalty for diso-
bedience. Thereupon arose an edify-
ing discussion. Mr.. ingalls,, of Kan
sas, sent up to the desk. and had read
the list of liquors offered at the Sem
ate restaurant, kept by Maine man.
1t includes ales, wines, brandies, abb
sinthe, and other liquors without re-
serve. Senator Cockrell declared that
it was farcical to propose to punish an
employe who kept liquors for sale, and
say not word to the Senators who
kept it in their committee rooms. He
proposed to punish any member with
expulsion who did such a thing. He
declared that he had seen several Sen
ators at time on the floor too intoxi-
Gated to attend to their business, and
had known an adjournment made to
prevent their disgracing themselves
with their maudlin talk. Other Sen
ators were startled at that, and told of
the great improvement in this respect
during the past twenty years. AS a
result the strong rule was passed, and
all the penalties left out. The Senate
is in favor of the law, but agfn its
execution"
As we understand the facts there is
no general public sentiment in either
House of Congress against the use OF
intoxicating liquors. Congress is
made up in large part of men whose
political career has brought them into
frequent relations with the drinking
class of the community. The proper
tion of total abstainers among them
is below the average of the country.
There are Senate committee rooms
where choice stocks of liquors are pro-
vided and freely offered. Neverthe-
less the tone of Congress on this SUBJ
ject is constantly rising, and there are
very few men in the Senate or the
House would ever be seen conspicu-
ously under the influence of liquor
Both Houses are quite willing to for
bid the presence of liquor, and to de.
clare it disgrace and shame, but nei.
ther House is willing to stop it. AND
SO the disgrace continues, and public
bar-rooms exist in the Capitol itself
shamelessly soliciting the gaze and
patronage of any visitor who passe;
through the corridors, while dozer
convenient and quiet snuggeries, called
committee rooms, provide retirement
for the Senator who does not wish tc
take his brandy in public. They say
it ought to be stopped, will not stol
it. Then let the public stop it. Pub
lie sentiment must stop it. We thank
Senator Frye for his zeal in the mat
ter. He is one of the few Senators
who understand that temperance is {
serious and rising issue. Senator
Colquitt is another. They represent
North and South, and both parties
The people are behind them, and will
support them if they will press thi:
matter until they succeed. We call OF
Congress to give us prohibition by law
imposed on the District of Columbia
and by their own local option in the
Capitol.