River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-08-28
Washington Letter.

From our regular correspondent
The ''0riginal package" act, as it
became law last week was the origi
nal Senate bill, and relates only to in
toxicating liquors. Its adoption gave
great pleasure to everyone interested
in breaking down one of the greatest
curses of our age---the human consum-
ton of Intoxicating liquors. Any
law is welcome that will make it Im-
possible for even one man to get the
wherewith to satisfy an unatural and
depraved appetite and this law will
undoubtedly prevent thousands of
young and promising men filling
drunkards' graves. by removing the
temptation from their sight and
reach.
Visiting temperance people are con-
tinually expressing their surprise and
qualification at the flourishing condi-
ton of the various organizations in
this city and the large attendance they
The reason is not far to seek or diff
cult to find. The ladies and gentle
men at the head of our most success
full temperance organizations long ago
realized that it was necessary to make
it pleasant for those who attended the
meetings, if they wished them to
come again, and the consequence is,
that every meeting held is an enter
tainment consisting of music, vocal
and instrumental, recitations, etc, in
terspersed with the real business of
the organizations, which is not neg
lected or forgotten for a moment;
and in addition very often there is
some light refreshment provided for
the visitors. All of these things CON-
bined have attracted many young men
whose natural inclinations were to go
to the saloons for their recreation and
there are very few who become regu-
lar attendants at these meetings that
do not eventually take the pledge and
become earnest workers in the cause.
In no one thing has the National
Capital made greater progress during
the last decade than in temperance.
1t can be noticed nearly everywhere
| and among all classes of people.
There was time when drunken men,
bers of congress were so common that
| they scarcely excited comment and
the liquor habit seemed in no way to
injure the standing of the member
with the general public; all that is
now changed. A drinking member is
the exception and an intoxicated one
rarity and disgrace in the eyes of all
reputable folks is the penalty which
any public man has to pay for making
a beast of himself by getting intoxi
| Gated.
| There was time also when active
temperance workers were looked on
with suspicion by the general public
anu WHICH ~ W 40 AAAob pIOpOot0 W pun
chase tent to be used to hold TEN.
perance meetings under during the
warm weather in different sections oil
the city, the idea was hooted at as be.
ing "too much on the circus style,
but the tent was bought and for sew.
al years the meetings have been held
under it, and they have been ATTENDED
by large crowds, while the platform
has been occupied by cabinet officers
members of congress, ministers of tn,
gospel aud prominent people, and now
everybody admits that much good ha,
been thereby accomplished. and many
hundreds of signers of the pledge OBJ
tanned.
| What has brought about thii
changei The answer is easy Organ
ization, earnestness and hard and con