The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-03
Temperance In Boston.

AOupDEhuCO !" DOotOhs
II any shortcomings or any delfnquencies
are permitted to endure In human nature
the moral responsibility can never be
charged to the account OF q Massachusetts,
Legislature. Every session OF that great
lawmaking body Of enlightened statesmen
IL devoted to the passage OF laws shrewdly
designed to put erring humanity on its feet,
and 10 give righteousness fresh start, The
latest Of these IL one which strikes hard
blow At the dragon Of intemperance; and
all Boston, from Marginal street to
Forest Hill. has been greatly stirred up since
Thursday. The law dates back to the year
1875, when thoughtful Massachusetts, Leg
islature made 1t o condition OF lquor licenses
that the dealer "shall not keep public
bar" This regulation was In line with the
notion OF distinguished Governor Of the
Bay State, who, In the hortd language Of
sentiment as that quality is understood
in the country east OF the Berkshire Hills,
wrote to the Legislature In support Of the
proposed restriction:
"Your regulation Of the retail trade will then securely
reposo the clear right to maintain good order and
publio deoorum. endangered BY barroonns and uppng
| shopA where danEerOuh ana seductive beverages arc
offered neither m medicine nor % diet to the chance
crowd Of tho hour, tempted BY each other 10 drink
without appetite to nser without motive and to reVSl
without enjoyment
"whsrs laughing 10 not irth nor thought the mind,
Nor words 4 language; nor even men mankind"
On this polite suggestion the law doing
away with public bars was duly passed; but,
like good many other laws passed by New
England Legislatures. 1t was not enforced.
On the contrary, As one Of the Boston papers
now declares, IL proved to be "a roaring
farce" It became the custom Of the grog-
shop keeper to evade 1t by pretending to be
yiotualler. All he had to do was Ito put
few crackers and a cold boiled egg
or bologna sausage on his counter, and
they would license him as q victualler."
This edifylng Observance has continued for
fifteen years, but now the Boston authori-
ties have risen to the requirements Of the
occasion and sent forth abulletin notifying
liquor dealers that this ancient statute is to
be enforced and that ell public bars must be
withdrawn, demolished, and forsworn on or
before May 20 instant.
Meanwhile the Back Bay reformers, who
indulge their taste for ardent drink at their |
homes. are in great distress OF mind lest the |
Commissioners should fall TO do their whole !
duty. and one Of them Is quoted as declaring |
that they are not obliged to waitfor convio- |
ton In court. They can revoke o dealers |
license ct once, and that is the end OF his |
right to keep or sell liquor. There Is no ap- |
peal from their decision. II they revoke q
grog-shop license. that is the end Of 1t.
The dealers money Is gone. his stock IL
liable to seizure and he may DO fined
or locked up" It becomes evident, accord
ingly, that In its legal aspect the position
Of the Boston victualler or publican is
not ono likely to inspire the envy OF those
who are engaged In other lines Of business.
II the Commissioners once swoop down upon
him under the law OF 1875, he Is lucky indeed
to escape with his life. Meanwhile public
feeling IL aroused In that city In support
OF strong measures and there is loud out
cry that in the interest Of the good name
Of Massachusetts, the regulation OF fifteen
years ago must now be enforced.
It lie, however, somewhat Encouraging to
observe that against liquor selling at tables,
the sale Of liquor In clubs, and Its consump-
ton secretly, ct residences or behind
screens. no objection appears to be made.
The opposition Of the reiormers Is not 90
much 10 drinking as It Is to publicity in
drinking. What they want il not to abolish
i
ness, but 10 prevent those who do not drink
from seeing those who do. and those who
drink from seeing each other.
The enforcement Of this law has already
cot In. It seems, upon q number Of the BOs-
ton vietuallefs who have not taken Advan-
tAgs Of the twenty days limit for making
the necessary alterations In their shops. The
Of bars requires tho serving
Of liquor 20 customers % tables. and an
added outlay Tor the employment OF walters.
" In my opinion" says Boetonian philoso-
pher IN the Boston Herald tho serving
Of liquor ct tables instead OF over
. bar. will b anything but In the line Of
Temperance measure. II two men enter |
saloon where there is q bar. they usually
make but Q brief stay. They name their
poison. drink n. and pass out Let the came
two men seat themselves In comfortable
chairs before q neat table. and the chances
are that they will remain foT considerable
tiDs and StiI imbibe rounds Of dTiniLs"
The identity u this particular philosopher
u shr0udod 10 OhsevI1iy. but be II. evidently,
y sanaibls aud GARaelOus man. with very
llttle bYp0eFiSY 10 hls mental composition,
ND . Dsoh D0Eo siDesrS TaaJsei for lSs.
ordsS, 01e S0bSisty than n possAassd by the
Bd,haSY Massachusetts, TsfofDr. But VII
10 b. listsnsd tOf u II No pfOlasLas, Cor
he giSsS hSs 10 SoBhls uttb tlls ststyls
glIiah. eftaT GflaaB yeaT6. n BOs 10 prevail
IhS lei Soy ~ pf0D1OtiaH s0lgiety ~
1AnnaahassllS s0aIs ~ fo5 tie tnhsbitsbis Z
" oaAss IaaallS lsss sDe st0D dlnl.hE
bvt d'St y 40 slisDis iSsib0o fo5 then.