The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-03-21
Sensible View of the Temperance
} Question.

In the n. Y. Mail and Express, staunch
supporter of temperance, is found one of
the most practical ideas the writer has seen
on the subject. 1t treats the subject from
a reasonable basis, and suggests the cree
ton of coffee houses as substitute for the
saloon. 1t also particularly demands that
these places, if erected, shall be managed
on business principles. and for profit; and
not to have any connection whatever with
any charitable association. The main idea
is to give men the social pleasure and
amusement which the saloon affords. with
out stealing away their brains and senses.
1t is fact worthy of notice. that whisky is
not the most important adjunct of the Sa-
loon. This is proved by the strong efforts
being made at the present time to legislate
the billiard table out OF these places. The
majority of young men, when they enter
saloon, do not give moments thought to
whisky, but they anticipate with great zest
the pleasure they will derive from a we'll
contested game of billiards or pool with
good jolly company. Of course the inevita-
BILE result, in great many cases, is to make
drunken sOtS of these seekers after recrea-
tion. If the beverages supplied were of a
different nature, do not believe any harm
would result from the company that con-
gregates in these places.
1.-THE saloon is the poor mans club" and
it, or a substitute similar in nearly every re-
spect. will probably always remain his place
of enjoyment. In England. coffee houses
have been erected in nearly all the large
cities; but they are, comparatively
Speaking, failures, because managed by
charitable institutions. l can fully under
stand why they are not success, if they
were run on the same principles as one
know of. In this one you could not turn
your head without striking framed set Of
rules informing you how you must demean
yourself in order to be allowed to spend
your money there. The place was clean
and cOzy in every respect, but these rules
made you feel about as comfortable as a
man with bad attack of the gOut. A sa-
soon as he would post up such rules in his
establishment.
And again, man, as rule. does not care
to be found in places known to be under the
auspices of charitable societies, at least, not
when he is in quest of his own pleasure and
amusement. At those times-as the saloon
keeper well knOws-he is only too glad to
pay we'll for what he receives.
l cannot see any reason why these coffee
houses, or whatever they may be termed,
should not be success. If they have all
the amusements connected with a saloon,
they will draw as much patronage.
The prohibition movement is worthy of
the highest commentator, but it is peril
nent question if they are not attempting to
make too clean sweep at once. The chance
of their ever gaining political power
through third party is not one in ten
thousand. The chain of intemperance has
been strongly forged and is not easily bro
ken. Why they do not join with either of
the two great political parties is not clear to
the writer. But am glad to admit that
there are number of smart men in this
movement. who undoubtedly know the best
means of reaching the end they have in
view. am not temperate myself, but like
great many others. am fond of the
amusements generally found in a saloon,
yet would not feel the least down hearted
if never again should see glass of beer
or whisky. RONDA.
Explanatory.