The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-28

a railroad President. 1t has, in fact, knocked
out IBsEN as the RAGE Of the day among tn,
fremont street aboriginals. In some caset
the olive is omitted, and two drinks are
taken with one cracker; In other cases the
cracker is omitted and two drinks are taken
with one olive; but 1t Is against the letter
and spirit Of the Massachusetts law to take
two drinks with toothpick, though one
drink can still be taken with Boston bean
or two, without committing misdemeanor
One effect Of tho law has been to augment
the number Of Bostonlans who prefer tav-
erns to their homes or business places during
the busy hours Of the day, but who do not
frequent them with the philosophic and
| transcendental idea OF seeing how the law
can best and most economically be evaded.
On this subject we have the testimony OF an
important tavern keeper:
Tho law has made more drunkArds than ever before
and an Internal nuisance atogether but to put Il
mildly 1t will not help the cause OF temperance one
particle II IL nothing but monumental farce 1t
causes undesirable customers to loaf around all day
who would have no incentive to do such thing under
the old conditions II 10 very annoying to have them
around but what can do about III They come along
with this ridiculous law. and thrust upon US lot Of
bummors that We must harbor, no matter how much
we detest them II IL making more drunkards than
ever, and will continue to do so as long AZ 1t lasts"
These are sad tidngs, but unfortunately,
confederation is at hand. There has been
great increase in the amount OF drinking
but topic is furnished to cranks profess
sional orators, and enthusiasts OF various
kinds and classes, and the old town is re-
verberating with the accents Of reform.
There is says the Globe, e grand kick In
ba m ri Of fha hot n
men and saloon keepers but OF their GUS
TONER'S" In fact, the Boston customers seem
to be In moro perturbed state OF mind than
the sellers. This Is said to be especially truo
OF the busy class OF drinkers who are al
ways In rush, and whowe are told, "fairly
boil over when compelled to sit at table
and wait until an attendant can take and fill
their order" Those OF more leisurely
nature would just as soon sit down and wait
an hour. especially II the chances were
favora BILE to their being invited to take some.
thing more by a chance guest on the opposite
side Of the table," We must add in fair
ness that the old-line Bostonians disapprove
OF this chance acquaintance business. They
are unwilling to bend the neck or bow the |
head OF salutation, to the miscellaneous
strangers who sit around and walt to be |
treated to applejack and an olive. They |
do not like" continues the Globe, "to sit |
down to n table where two or three entire
strangers are already seated. There is moth
Ing very social about that to their minds"
The law as 1t is now enforced Is, how
ever, not without its advantages; and
one OF these is the fact that the ability to
stand up is no longer the test Of sobriety,
for under the provisions of this quaint law
no ono. drunk or SOBER is permitted to drink
standing. On the other hand. the ability to
sit up. or rather to get up. is what has now
become the test AS this is something I'M
Known to the rest OF the world, and never
before heard Of the heart OF Boston is
5ouched, and the spirit Of the Puritans is
moved to hold to the law as with hoops Of
teel. Though it has added to drunkenness,
las diverted many from their business, and
tut an additional premium upon hypocrisy
'et the cracker, olive, and toothpick attach
nent are dear to Boston.