The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-06
GROCERY GRoCERs.
The Element with Which Washington Gro
GERS Have to Contend.

The Element with Which Washington Gro
GERS Have to Contend.
Washington Special.
The bitter feeling between the advocates Of
liquor and the apostles of prohibition is being
worked ND to a white heat The liquor inter-
ests are excited by the plain speaking OF several
Senators and the jubiiant assertion or prohibi-
tionists that there il certain majority of the
Senate opposed to the sale OF Intoxicating bev-
erages in the District. es
The old liquor organization, which had
dropped into innocuous desuetude because
liquor interests did not need defense or pro:ec-
ton, is reorganizng. Agents are to DO ap-
pointed to look after Congressman and to work
up sentiment against prohibition among citi-
Zens. Wild notes of alarm are struck in re-
gard to trade leaving Washington and going to
Baltimore, and the consequent wrecking OF
prominent individuals and lucrative establish
ments in this city. @
An old Southern custom is yet in vogue here
which has not been known in Pennsylvania for
long years. Almost every grocer keeps wines
and liquors. The custom began when every
family kept their liquor as they did their
bread. and bought it of their grocer as they did
all other table necessities Consequently, pro-
hibition means much moro here than the mere
abolition of saloons, where intoxicants are sold
at retail, and where drunkards are made at
wholesale. The grocery interests are far more
influential than the saloon interests for with
them are connected old and wealthy families,
and to the sale of liquor by grocers attach
memories dear to the Southern hearts. which
seem always to find more pleasure in tradition
than In romance.
Even the straightest going virginians aud
Marylanders are rarely found who believe there
toxicating liquors. It is easy to understand.
therefore, with what Indignation q large element
of the city population looks upon the prohibition
bill introduced by Senator Platt. They honestly
believe it to be an outrageous interference with
their civil and commercial rights that is not to
be endured. and the enforcement of which would
justify forcible, desperate resistance
The bill was drafted by Mr. H. b. Moulton,
the president of the District Temperance AL
lance, at the request of Senators who favor
prohibition. In brief, it prohibits the sale of
liquor by all persons except druggists, who may
sell prescription affidavit for medical or
scientific purposes. and to churches for sacra-
mental purposes, but in the latter case, only to
the pastor of the church, the delivery to be
made to him in person. The penalty for false
affidavit Is that now in operation for perjury
and the penalty for the illegal sale of liquor is
fixed by the bill. at fine of not less than 800
nor more thon $500. and Imprisonment for not
more than six months.
The question of the sale of liquor by druggists
is ono with which the promoters of the anti
liquor movement have had much trouble. They
know that under the operation OF this bill un-
scrupulous druggists would multiply, and that
the sale of liquor at soda fountain would be-
come hardly less productive OF harm than its
sale in saloons. Already the drug stores
selling long list of intoxicants of the vlest de-
scrption, in the form of patent medicines and
s'tonics." Mixed drinks of dozen different
kinds, in which whisky, brandy, rum or wine is
an important element. are sold at every soda
!ounIaln. anu many Cases OF lnIoAlcatioh nave
been traced to this once harmless machine for
the cooling of thirsty outlets. The busin ess of
the soda fountain is no more confined to sum-
mer, but runs prosperousy all the year around.
But Zone thing at time." say the temper
ance leaders. eff we can uproot the open sale
of liquors as beverage, we will take up the
covert traffic when reach it."
The fight promises to be one of the most in
teresting of the session. Before the discussion
of the Senate bill comes up all the great tenn
perance evangelists of the country expected
to be here and speak. The revival spirit will
permeate the whole atmosphere. The temper
ance people seem to have determined to concen-
trate on Congress and the District, believing
that the example of prohibition here will be of
greater benefit than if whole State several
States were captured. It would be national
of the high morality of the move
ment and practical benefits to society that
would arise from abstemious condition.