The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-16

DR.. Henry A. Hartt. in the May arena.
contributes Another view Of the Rum
Problem, " In which he takes issue both
against prohibition and high license. and
With some force, or Ut least with some in
genuisy. claims to have discovered better
method than either for dealing with the
great evil Of intemperance. He would
treat drunkenness rs crime and make it
subject to heavy penalties, fully equal TO
those inflicted for THEFT. burglary. arson
and the like. The unreasonable use Of in
toxi.nnts he regards as a disease. to be
treated accordingly. but when il leads to
drunkenness Of such proportions as to
make its victim a nuisance or disiurber OF
the peace or comfort OF society. he would
subject the offender to the vigors of wig
orons penal statute.
This idea Is based on the direct opposite
OF the hitherto existing theory that the
manufacturers and dealers are the only of
tenders In this connection. The falsity OF
this theory has won general recognition. II
Is true that bat for the manufacture of
liquor il could he neither bough, nor sold.
aud that unless there were seller none
could he bought, hut it l. equally true that
with few exceptions the manufacturers and
sellers would prefer that the use should not
be carried TO the extreme OF producing
drunkenness. This may sound paradoxi.
cal. but il is true. The natural desire TO
get all they can oft Of their business is
checked and counteracted by ihe-knowl-
edge that the prevalence of drunkenness
tends 10 strengthen the opposition to their
business and To promote radical legislation
for Is suppression. The druggist has a
natural desire 10 convert into cash as much
a. possible Of every article he has in stock.
bat he does not wish 10 see his patrons
take ovcrdeses OF morphine or other deadly
drug.
|, would seem more sensible for Dr.
Hartt's method 10 supplement- or form an
alliance with one or both ef the Others
than To servo as substitute for either. In
fact. there seems no reaSoa shy The three
systems should net. bust a very good rea-
son why they should work in harmony.
Prohibition where IL caa be enfosced-~that
i 10 say, Ia districts. where by the option
az the residents OF the locality IL has been
adopted--ts the most conclusive and eff
iectnal way TO dispose OF the whole sub
iees. Bsi; where ruhllc opinion does not
sustain that plan. ard prohibition would
therefore he impossible OF enforcement.
high license ard Strict rcgalativs exact
meats would certainly serve better pur-
pose than nnentorelhle proaihli;on. and
sae sac sad use Of liquor ~ishess license
and in defiance cf law, with she additional
deuosalsssng effect OF Impossible connee-
sson on proven case Of ylolsted lag.
tiaaer both u these states Of Affairs
Assh license or prohibition ay local option
~ DIR. Harti's idea might be adopted and
under essential service. treating fer dissass
the poor weAkisng who Is the slave of an
appetite which he tasn would bat c&nao;
master, ard as . criminal the deeaaehesi
sas who gssrses in his shame ard permits
his family 10 safer throagh his indulgence
Of erassiy appetite. OF BY Ais indulgence
eusraees the aecorGm Of the community.
This Is ssssibse, and wiN meet witssne op-
POSITION frcm sources worthy Of respect.
II waasd be an Insult ts tho advanced CIV
lslszren OF this last decade 81 the nine.