The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-07-17
THE coNsuMPrIoN OF LIQuoR.

The Bureau of Statistics of the Treasu-
ry Department at Washington has made
an interesting report on the production
and consumption of wines and spirituous
and malt liquors In the United States and
the leading countries of Europe. IL shows
decrease for this country OF more than
so per cent. per capita in the consump-
tion of distilled spirits since 1S40, an in
crease of almost exactly 100 per cent. 10
the consumption of wines and an increase
of 900 per cent. in the consumption of
malt liquors. It is probable chat the de-
crease in the consumption of spirituous
liquors per capita is much greater than is
here indicated, as large quantities were
distilled and consumed at home fifty years
ago Of which no returns were made TO the
authorities.
When compared with the leading ma
tions of Europe the United States offers
no Encouragement to those who believe
liquor drinking an evil aud desire to see
Il diminished. In 1910 the consumption
of distilled spirits per capita in this coun;
try was 2.52 gallons, while in 1887 1t was
only 1.18 gallons, as compared with con-
sumption In Great Britain of OBS of a
gallon per capita, 100 gallons In Germany
and of "a gallons in France in 1885. In
wines the United States showed. In 1887,
consumption Of 0.54 Of o gallon, Great
Britain OBS Of a gallon and France 26.74
gallons In 1885. But 1t is 10 the consump-
tion of malt liquors that the United
States falls far behind the great European
nations. The malt liquor drank per capita
In this country In 1887 was II SO gallons,
a. compared with 82.S8 gallons in Great
Britain and 24.99 gallons 10 Germany.
Those who believe in looking at the
temperance question In a practical light
and of taking human nature into account
in dealing with it will find much to en-
courage them in these statistics. They
prove that the use of ardent spirits has
fallen off 10 remarkable degree until
now there Is very little more consumed
per capita In this country than there is
among the European nations, and that
while wines and malt liquors have been
substituted In large degree they are yet
not consumed in any such quantities, and
are not likely to be, as they are 10 older
countries. This certainly shows progress.
The advance made 10 temperance reform
during century past Is but family real
lied by the present generation. 1t would
shock the moral sense OF the people Of to-
day 10 have true representation given Of
the abuses of liquor in the times OF the
Revolutionary Fathers. Even the Puri-
tan youths were so addicted to tie use OF
ardent spirits and the consequent dis
graceful carousals that the Massachusetts
Legislature strove to check it and pass ed,
in 1850, n Law ito encourage the manu-
facture and consumption of beer aud ale i"
To-day any State would be dsgraoed
the Legislature of which was compelled
TO pass an act saying: "Mynisters shall
not give themselves to excess in drinkinge
or fiott, spendinge their tyne idellye by
day or night" as the. Virginia Legisla
tnre once had to. The Pennsy lvania
Legislature also ia order to lessen the
drinking Of rum passed bill "for en-
couraging the making Of good beer" but
IL does not seem to have had much effect,
aud the famous Rush temperance move
inent was begun afterwards to stop the
enormous consumption Of rum in the ru
raj districts of this State. Much yet needs
to be done to educate public opinion up
TO the necessity of restricting and lessen
ing the well-known evils springing from
an indiscriminate use of liquors, bat those
who cite the accurate statistics gathered
by the well equipped bureaus of the pres
ent day as proofs that we are worse than
our fathers 10 this respect simply argue
their own lack OF information.