The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-01-27

being the headquarters for political dis.
custom and the formation of political
plans.
After the meetings Mr.. Graham gave
the following statement concerning the
formation and plans Of the society
which he represents, which is practically
synopsis OF the matter mentioned and
dealt with at the three meetings.
THE CHURCH SOCIETY. .5sa
"In 1870, a commission was appointed
by the Church Of England to investigate
tho extent and nature Of intemperance
in England, and the remedies which
such IN investigation would suggest.
In two years the commission presented
report 10 the convoeation. That 70.
port was accepted, and on the general
lines laid down by 1t, tho Church OF
England Temperance Society was
formed. ~ y
81 WIS its first secretary and had
charge OF the work in the Northern Pro.
vinces, which included all that part oil
England lying north Of Birmingham.
That society differed from societies
which had preceded it, in that it laid
down that there is legitimate use for
intoxicants, as well as that their use has
becomes great National evil and abuse.
Membership in the society was open not
only to those who were total abstaine,s,
but to temperate users OF intoxicants MS
we'll. The society had wonderful sue
cess; the Queen became its patron, and
all the bishops OF the church were made
active Vice Presidents, and to-day it is
organized in every diocese, and has Il
membership OF over 700, 1000. .-r.-sa..-. 4,
"Ninc years ago came to the United
States to establish societies on the same
basis, the working operations to bs
changed, OF course, to suit the changed
conditions Of the people OF this country.
The society has no part in common with
pal ties or politics, but deals with the
temperance question solely from cili-
zen's standpoint. Itgiyes no life pledge,
but limits it to the time during which
the membership card is retained. It has
an order for young men between four
teen and twenty'one years known US the
knights OF Temperance ~ ~.
1t has brought the word "Temper-
ance" back to its original meaning-self-
control-and the three great national
dangers which it prohibits by its pledge
are drunkenness, social impurity and ir-
reverence. Up to twenty,one years old,
which is the limit OF the junior organiza.
ton, there is no alternative pledge, total
abstinence being imposed upon oil mem.
bera. tt' 8, M Ia, ms
VIEWS ON LEGISLATION.
"ln the matter Of temperance legisla.
ton the society holds that prohibition,
SO persistently urged as the only
panacea, is and has been a failure in
every large city where it has been tried.
No legislation should be largely in ad.
vance OF public opinion, and all legisla-
ton Should adapt itself to the different
conditions in cities and small towns.
The general policy Of the society has
always been in favor OF restriction rather
than prohibition. 1t has been one OF
the chief opponents Of high license,
which, combined with local option, it
believes adequate to meet all the needs
Of the case so far as legislation can
remedy it. Practically the limit laid
down by tho society has been covered
by three points. First-limit tho num-
Der OF saloons to one for every 500 pop
ulation; second-charge a license fee Or
tax of 81 900 per year, and third, local
option section in the law to be applied
to counties or other reasonable areas.
couNTERAcrlvE AGENCIES.
1.-THE society believes that the liquor
saloon exists because it meets the need
for warmth and companionship, and that
the overwhelming number Of saloons
be most etiectually reduced by counter.
acting agencies. One of these plans,
devised by tho society and meeting
with wonderful success, is the Coffee
Tavern" which provides all tho liquor
saloons has except liquor.
I'm England these cstIee tayerns have
been great financial successes, and hayo
done wonderful good for the intem.
perate by keeping them from the saloons.
Sixty.4hree Of them ere in operation in
Liverpool, seventy In London, twenty
IN Birmingham, and some OF them paid
less than ton per cent on the investment
to the proprietors. t.95l 0-7s'
This | believe CAP DO done equally
well in the United States, and Bishop
Peterkin and other gentlemen in Parkers,
burg have formed joint stock company
with $1,000 capita, divided into abares Of
s. each, to see if such n scheme can not
DO carried on successfully in 80 small A
city. ] would suggest that the plan be J
tried in Wheeling. With 10000 people |
to patronize it, one house OF the Kind
located in a'good quarter ought to nav
and DO much good.
81 TIE RE:acUE woRS.
"rhe real basis upon which true tenn.
perance work should rest is prevention
forthe young, aud rescue forthose Who
arc in danger Of falling Into the tssil
habit. have had, for i've yrsrs, OF
Annex hall in New York city, a work Of
this kind. The congregation which as
sembles there consists OF from three to
four hundred men, large proportion Of
whom + have history. I will give |
IN III nfo Snf hnw ua ly,rorapar - S.Itt