The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-05-21
why Is There No Answers

EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN AS usual, the
REcoRD-UNIoN is foremost in the cause
of right and good citizenship. Your
crusade against the dives is noble one,
and your arraignment of the Trustees
just. But there is no need of my taking
up your valuable space by reiterating
what every Sacramentan knows. l adj
dress this communication to you for the
purpose of gaining Information.
Some time ago the RECORD UNION
propounded two very pointed questions to
the Trustees and to those who are opposed
to any modification of the present liquor
license system. The questions were as
follows:
/. What reasons exist why, as is the fact,
license to conduct saloon should be lower in
Sacramento than in any other municipality
in a county, and distinct from it, in the entire
United States? It is fact that liquor licenses
In this city touch the lowest known mini
mum, and why il is so no one has ever been
able to explain.
2. Upon what equitable basis is a system
grounded that compels real estate agent to
pay $40 quarter for the privilege of OLen-
ing and conducting business that contrib
utes nothing whatever to municipal expenses
and Liabilities, but taxes liquor saloon only
so for the same period of time?
AS you aptly suggested at the time,
these are simple, economic questions
not sentimental and not disputative upon
the questions of temperance, prohibition
or high license-they simply address
themselves to the common understand
ing of men.
in the hope that some answer would be
given to these questions, but have not
noticed any. L may have overlooked the
matter, If it was responded to, and if so,
you will pardon me. But /, as a citizen
and taxpayer, am interested in this mat
ter, and Ii am in search of information. Re
specially, NJ.
Sacramento, May 20, 1891.
A Believer in ''Practical'' Temperance.
EDS. REcoRD-UNIoN: Believing that
your paper is an impartial one, as ready
to give one side hearing as the other,
take up my pen to write a few lines con-
corning King Alcohol, as Luther Benson
calls him. 'championing the cause of
liquor, do not wish to be understood as
being on the side of intemperance, but as
on the side of temperance, as the word is
defined by Webster, viz: ga moderate
indulgence of the appetites."
Wine-making is one of California's
greatest industries, and it is not for few
temperance (so-called, as they really are
total abstainers) cranks to bring about
total eclipse of the industry; not even if
they call to their aid the Bible. I find
that MI. Benson used the following
words:
eve find almost from the first of Gen
esis to the close of Revelations the warn
ings, pleadings and threatenings Of the
Great Jehovah against the awful sin of
l shall not dispute the eminent apostle
of so-called temperance in this declara-
ton, but l shall simply call his attention
to few passages i'll the Scriptures. and
leave him and the public to take the best
of the situation that they find
possible for them to do.
We may spend our hard-earned dollars
for wine or for strong drink or for
whatsoever our souls desire, for God told
the Israelites that they might do so. Deut.
XIV, Z6.) Mr.. Benson will say that we
must remember that ''Wine is a mocker
and strong drink is raging" (Prov.xx.,1D
We are not even to look upon it, lest we
be tempted to indulge. prov. xiii, 81
b. Yet we are told to give strong drink
unto him that is ready to perish, and wine
unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let
him drink" says this double-tongued
guide, land forget his poverty, and re-
member his misery no more.n prov.
XXI, go
Drink no longer water, but use a little
wine for thy stomacb's sake, and thine
often infirmities.' Il Tim. W. l2.) Wine,
WHICH IlakeIn Rldu the neart OF man'
Ops. civ, l5), and wine, which cheereth
God and man" Judges tx, 49, These
do not point out the truth of Mr.. Ben
sons statements.
All things are for our use, not for our
misuse. One can injure himself lust as
much by over-eating, exposure, and dis
regard of the laws of health. as by in
dulging, as commanded by the SCRIPT
ure," in wine and strong drink" / am
not in favor of prohibition-it does not
prohibit; but ! would either put the
license up SO high that there would be but
one saloon to a thousand voters, or else
make it a crime to drink liquor EXCEPT at
home, where man will not debase him
self before wife and children, if he has a
spark Of true manhood in his constitu-
ton.
Let US partake of the juice of the wine.
within our own doors and out of reach of
the doubtful sociability of the saloon.
and then the crimes now committed in
the barroom will not exist.
Let those of our ministers who are now
in favor of mo drinks" start the exam
pie by having no wine on the communion
table, and SO practice what they preach.
MODERATE.