The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-06-11
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.

-Edavala CarsweH, II, Youths Banner.
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.
The committee of the Presbyterian Cen
eral Assembly at Saratoga appointed to pre-.
pare a memorial to Congress- in regard to
the liqour traffic, through its Chairman, !. N.
Hays, presented the following report:
Your committee met at Harrisburg,
Penn. on February IA, 1890, all being present
but one, and with great deliberation and care
prepared the accompanying memorial, and
directed its Chairman, either in person or by
his representative, to present it to both
houses of Congress. Your committee was
most hearty and unanimous in the action
taken, and Joined in the earnest hope and
prayer that it might result in great good to
both the church and nation. 1t was thought
best to present this memorial through the
agency of the Hon. John A. Anderson, of
Kansas, who was not only member of the
committee having charge Of this matter,
but is also q minister of Christ in our own
denomination, and thoroughly interested in
the success of the movement, and he promised
to do all he could to care for the matter in
trusted To his management
Your committee is happy to report that
the Committee of Congress has reported q
BILL with but one dissenting voice, which is
sired. 1t provides for the appointment Of a
Commission, which shall consist of five per-
sons, to be appointed by the President, who
shall investigate the alcoholic, fcrmented
and vinous liquor trade in all its phases, its
relation to revenue and taxation, its effect
upon labor, agriculture, manufacturing and
other industries, and its general economic,
criminal, moral and scientific aspects, its
connection with pauperism, crime, social
80 {bo, 1io nd fn
into the practical result Of license. prohibi-
tory legislation and the various methods Of
restraint and taxation relied upon for the
| prevention of intemperance. The truth is
| that the most ardent friends of temperance
| could not wish for more and It's bltterest
| enemies should not be satisfied with less 1t
is Just as fair to one side as it is to the other.
What is wanted is 10 have the full light of
day thrown upon this whole subject-facts
and statistics which do not lie-to which all
must appeal and before which all must bow.
THE great danger now is that, in the
hurry of business and through the adverse
influence constantly at work at Washington
this admirable bill so favorably reported by
the committee, may not be acted OH by Con
gress, OF, if acted on, defeated through the
apathy of its friends.
Your committee would, therefore, recon-
mend that the Assembly would, in some
suitable way, express its hearty appreciation
of the work done by this committee in
I Washington, and urge upon Congress the
Importance of speedy and favorable action
upon this great question, which so deeply
concerns the welfare Of this whole country
II is believed that prompt and earnest action
on the part of this Assembly, just at this
moment, will have great weight in deciding
| this matter"
| The memorial to Congress referred to II
the report Of the committee was appended
| The report and memorial were received
and the motion then being on the adoption
of the report and memorial, the Rev. DR.. NJ
Patterson said:
Il move that the Assembly express it
hearty appreciation Of what has been dom
by the committee, and refer these papers K
the Committee on Temperance. with instruc
tions to prepare some paper. to be sent from
this Assembly to Congress in accordance
with the request Of the committee"
The report and the memorial wer'
adopted, after which the motion Of Dr.. Pat
terson was carried. The report Of the Com
mittee on Temperance was next in order
and Elder Robert E. Flickinger, Of the For
Dodge Presbytery, offered the following res
olution:
WHEREAS, The recent decision Of the Su
preme Court of the United States reversing
the judgment of the Iowa State Court
and known as the Original Package Decis
ion,' has made it apparent that the severa
States, in the exercise Of their police powers
are crippled and greatly hindered in thei
effort to control the sale or prohibit the traf
fc in intoxicating liquors, therefore,
"Resolved, That this Assembly, in the in
terest of temperance, morality and religion,
does hereby respectfully and earnestly peti
tion the Congress of the United State
speedily to enact law or an amendment t
the Interstate Commerce law that will ALLOW
the States and Territories to prohibit the i'm
portation Of Intoxicating liquors"
On motion of the Rev. Herrick johnson
the resolution was referred 10 the Standing
Committee on TEMPERANCE