Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-28

own eyes in 1881. In Portland took
particular pains to find out the trath as
to unlawful sales Of intoxietnts. ] saw
no signs of the traffic excep. reports in
morning papers Of arrests OF persons
for attempting to sell liquor to summer
tourists, who were passing through the
city in large numbers.
Mr.. Fllyson says the method OF deal
ing with the rum power in the cities Is
high license. II is wonderful 10 note
how many plans are now suggested,
aud it is more wonderful to observe
that they were never seriously pro-
posed until the moment they could be
proposed in opposition to prohibition
by local option. Why haven't those
who are row in favor OF high license
BEEN working for it through the past
years as we who are in favor OF local
option have been working for that:
We can but feel little suspicious that
il local option were TO die high license
would die with it. and so would
many other propositions which
are brought forth at this par
ticnlsr iuncture for Graduating drunk
euDess and the miseries produced
by it. One might think that high Ii
cease works like charm in Illinois.
1t has diminished the number Of sa-
looms from 1900 to 9,000-tcompare
this with Kansas under prohibition.
where, as we have seen, there are IS
counties without single saloonl-and
increased the revenue from 500, 900 to
s4500, O0O." That is one side, the
side Of saloons and money. Look at
another side-the side OF morality and
good order. The Illinois high license
law was passed in 1888. In 1882 the
arrested for drunkenness in Chicago
we're 1905, in 1883 were q ,4lG, and in
1854 more than 23,000--a steady in
crease under the operation Of the en-
acinent Police Commissioners re-
ports. come now to notice a senti-
meDt advanced by our worthy Senator
that rather amaZes me "She tthe
State of Virginia. would IN few years
be able to build good school-house in
every neighborhood and employ teach
els for nine instead Of FIVE months in
the year; DO away with convict labor
Bs a source Of revenue pay the inter
est On her debt, and enter upon new
career of prosperity and progress"
What a magnificent prospect for the
dear old Commonwealth What JOY
cones 10 the soul Of every patriotic son
and daughter at the contemplation But
upon what basis is the realization to
rest Upon the diffusion Of the princi-
pies Of religion: No. Upon the worth
Of individual character, the peace and
punty Of our home-life, and the econo-
my Of our general resources? No. On
what then: "lf Virginia will abandon
prohibition and adopt high license"
says MIR. Ellyson. That is, this mag
rifctnt prospect for Virginia is to find
its tulflment in the liquor traffic,
vhich, according TO the testimony OF
The ages, has always and everywhere
produced waste, disorder, crime.
shame, misery, ruin, and death. Nir.
ginla's progress and prosperity will
sprIrg from this cause when the
blaokress OF midnight becomes the
source of the earth's midday glories.
To present such hopes TO Virginia seems
TO ne TO be cruel mockery Of oar
dear old mother in her prostration and
impoveTishment. But let us analyze
the Senator's beautiful picture a little
The liquor traffic under high license
would - DO away with convict labor rs
a source Of revenue" says be, which is
about the same as to say that what pro-
duces convict labor will DO away with
convict labor. Mr.. Ellyson may have
found out that this is good logic, but ]
must admit nv inability TO compre-
bend it. ! know there is q doctrine
in medicine that what will cause
will cure a disease. !, has found some
advocates. but as principle Of social
science did not know before tina. it
could boast single sdberent. !, too,
am opposed to convict labor. Let the
labor Of the country be done by hands
free, honest, and unstained by crime.
But Just in proportion to my hostility
10 convict labor is my hostility to
that which produces convict labor.
Let Us snalyze little further. Under
high license Virginia would soon lie
able to build a schOOl.hOuse in every
ueiehboIhood." 1t has been generally
supposed that the lJlor traffic Is
IN enemy to the sch0ol-hOuse.
One Of the great temperance or
CARNATIONS Of this country has
for d motto, a school house on
every hilltop and no saloon in the val
ley and the State Of Tennessee has
statute which ioTbidS the sale Of
liquor within four miles Of a school.
house. But Our respected representa-
tive in the Virginia Senate has discover
ID that lie liquor traffic and the school
can lie made friends and should be
linked together in lasting union. But
really, could any union be more M.
natural: The Mosaic law forbade the
Jobing Of an OK and 40 ass together.
But that yoking was not half SO incon-
eiuous as this. The school-tolse llts
Up. tic rum shop pulls down: the one
holps. tie o,hcI binders; the one
d,fluses knowledge, the other foster.
ignorance ihe one makes home brighter
and happier, the other casts it dark.
deep shadow over the domestic circle
The one is our country's strength AMI
glory. Tic other is our coun'ry's lunacy.
paupen.m. and crime. Why should
they be joined Why should ire in
nocent. beautiful maiden be forced into
The embrace OF Shiny, bideous mon
ster? protest against the unholy al
lance. The temperance people Of Viz
eiIia rise Up with one consent and for.
bad The ceremony 10 proceed. But look
further into this proposal IL would
make The public-schooi system largely
dependent on revenues received from
the liquor business, and thus rcake
every boy and girl that is educated
beneficiary Of The traffic, and 50 give
the traffic o mortgage on The talents Of
every graduate. to lie paid OF in ser
vices rendered. or else stsmD the gradu-