New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-13
STRONG FOR HIGH LICENSE
ACTION OF THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB.
PROHIBITION CONDEMNED AS INCREASING THA
RUMEVIL - THE REPORT AND
RESOLUTION,

hibition. The meeting was well attended, and
was presided by Chauncey NJ. Depew, the
president of the club. The proceedings were
marked by unanmity and did not last long.
The question Of High License was presented 10
the club in report and resolution by the Com
mittee Political Reform, of which f.. b. Hins
dale is chairman and Clarence c. Buel is secretary
Fhe other members of the committee T. A.
Paddock, J. X Ciley, Cephas Brainerd John Jay
Knox, NJ. NJ. Budlong, Edward II. Ammidown,
r. NJ. Galloway, D. B. st. John Roosa and S. V. x,
Cruger.
The club, as recommended, adopted the report
and resolution, which ran as follows:
No question within the Of legislation has received
much attention during the last fifty that OF
the OF sprtuous liquors beverage, II we except
the slavery question Like the latter question, has
been considered from the religious the moral and the
political standpoint. At first It treated mainly a.
religious and moral question or late the political aspect
OF the subject received wide and exhaustive dis
cusslon
whole the progress OF the reform has not been
satisfactory its friends The weakness Of human nature
in appetite and the cupdy OF in their desire for
money rooted the evil in the body polite 20 deeply
the greatest anxiety in the minds OF all thought
ful persons That moral suason and religious consider
aons have worked nightly upon vast boiy OF citizens
saved them from destruction must be conceded
the other hand the number Of persons who are the
thoughtless helpless victims OF the vice Of drinking
great that they to the good of society,"
eating much Of manhood to cripple the State and
casting upon the sober and industrious burdens they ought
bear. The constantly recurring questions, what
can be done what ought be doncl will up for
In replying 10 these questions must consider
what is practicable and possible What the State wants.
what society wants Is relief from this great evil.
No relief from attempting the impossible One
question may be considered settled by the discussions OF
the last fifty years and that Is. that question OF
power the State interfere and 10 any length thai
Is necessary out this evil. The friends and de-
fendeys liquor traffic undertake defend the busi
because 1t is business in which large investments
have made, and invade curtail this traffic
would be abdge Individual rights and assail the SAFE
guards OF private property This is entirely fallacious
The always exercised control individuals and
property when highest good OF the State has required
it, 1t has prohibited gambling and passed laws for the
seizure OF the implements gambling and the punishment
Of those engaged Now It may be pausbly reasoned
that gambling individual matter that who
has money perfect do what he pleases with
it, either give IL or gamble it away II he WILL
With reference lotteries, there is constitutional
prohibition against them, and yet why should not person
spend his money that he has earned In lottery thkes
II he desires to do SOL owners OF agricultural lands
prohibited by the Constitution from leasing the for
more than twelve years. Now why should not agr
landlord and be liberty TO make any
bargain they please1 The is that II left 10 them
they would, by long leases be likely to bring about
state things that aiicts Ireland Numerous other
illustrations might be given where the State has nerfeed
with personal rights and property for the general good
The policy OF the State Is protect itself from anything
that puts m jeopardy the general good 1t is the
science intelligence and the integrity Of the people that
chiefly Until scheme OF self
prove failure damage result from
exercise this power protection by the State Those
liquor trac concede the propety Of State
control OF their traffic but they camor for what tey call
and equal laws which means do mater
ally affect limit thelr business. This is precisely
what the good OF the State does not require. Ii tn"
business OF the liquor dealers is harmless selling
potatoes then there occasion State inter-
ference and business should be free the other.
The concession by the liquor dealers that the State should
in limit and regulate the traffic is
ces,ion that in and TO extent the traiio
menaces the good of the State That brings US to the
questions, how serious is the traffic and who
shall determine the extent Of the State control that Is
necessary to protect the Stltel
The of the remedy should bear proportion
to magnitude OF the evil II the evil is slight the
remedy should be moderate If the evil is great and
threatening the remedy should be the radical. TIC
dwell upon the evils OF ntemperance is To dwell upon
subject, and yet few suggestions at this time
Will point the argument in favor OF strong and
radical limit and the evil 1t is stated
upon good authority number OF saloons this
city is about 1900 and In Brooklyn about 1000
total about r. 500 saloons and drinking places. 1t Is
estimated that the income OF these places is no,
S4 900 per each. This reasonable
consider that attendance, light,
fuel. liquors. etc, have be paid for to carry the
business this estimated income there is taken
Of the people in these cities for this traffic the
sum Of s50,000,o00 annually if say nothing OF the
balance of the State. II such a extOrted from
the class Of people by tax, it would produce
eyolution in Government To tU people who drink.
this money is wasted 1t is taken from families homes
mOtheb and children What $50 900 900 would purchase
comforts such improved homes, clothing. food edu
cation ETC., is the major part It lost the innocent and
helpless Nor this all it destroys the ability u
money in untold thousands Of its vctms promotes crime
haAa ~
seeking the religious and moral elevation of the human
family; IL llls State PRISONS iss and all charitable
1t increases the burdens Of the State for
the industrious and sober that every one who pays
pays very considerable portion OF them to support
saloons 1t unnecessarily burdens the charitable for all
who have had experience a large Icr cent Of
he demands chality would exist except for
This trane
In two cities there would be but little poverty
md want II this 900 coo could be diverted from the
saloons and turned towards families and homes Taxes
would be reduced, crime would be diminished religion
md morality would be promoted and the clamoous
icmand Of charity be greatly reduced.
Surely here is an evil OF sufficient magnitude for the
state seek remedy, and shall this remedy be only
such those engaged in the traffic approve, such
he good State demands The failure at the lats
Election carry twO-thds Of both branchs Of theIegs
aure, that expected Executive could oven
dden, will be likely TO produce dscou sge nent in the
minds OF many friends OF high license and induce them
o accept halfway measures compromises that will
acceptable those engaged in the traffic. This we
ieem will be abandonment Of all the benefits OF high
license. High license should DC OF such character a.
bring the narrowest practicable volume smoun,
Il the business, and compel II 70 bear much possible
II the burdens that that traffic casts uniusty upon
he sober and charitable part Of the community
Recent events have established that for the present al
least Prohibition In this country be obtained IL
equally we'll esabshe that high license laws do re-
strain and limit the traffic. In it is deemed the great
st oly 10 risk general without reasonans
grounds TO expect victory and TO risk general engage.
nent with defeat madness. In 1is Is 'ns
mistake OF the Prohibitionsts. Important ou'po>S r
often be taken when the citadel cannot be csptored ihs
Prohbltlonists are ehaTgeable with refusing 70 soe
which can be- secured which experience mas sno" "a 49,
10 increase temperance aud morality WINE ", s.,s,.
a ,ner mower the swelling tide OF ntemper'
lnce crime and poverty ,,on nv t,,. .uh -