The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-27
4 GERMAN I1ouoR LAW.


GERMAN IIoUoR LAW.
In the proposed law for the restriction
OF tho sale of spirstuous liquors in Ger
many, there is nothing that is strikingl,
original, nothing hat is not familiar il
somewhat similar shape to the students
eff temperance and prohibitive legisla-
ton. 1t is possible, that taken as {
whole, the measure is more drastic thar
any OF It's predecessors in the anne field
but the emperor's well-known interest
in the matter and his autooratic ten
denotes may sufficiently account for this
characteristic. Be that as it may, a
perusal of the main feature of the bill
proves beyond a doubt that careful at
tantion has been paid to the liquor leg
i~slation of other countries, and suggests
that the kaiser, face to face with a new
danger to his countrymen, has thought
it Wisest to reap the fruits of the exper-
fence of others rather than to indulge in
experiments of his own ey~cogltation.
In the supposition we may be wronging
the emperor's modesty, but we are pay
ing a compliment to his sagacity.
4 summary OF the leading provisions
of the bill may not be uninteresting.
The question of location is dealt with
very firmly. No license shall be granted,
except whore a liquor store or a
saloon can be shown to be a matter of
necessity. It is wisely further ordained
that schools and churches shall be ex-
empt from the saloons neighoorhood.
Around the saloon keeper himself, q
perfect network of negatives is woven.
He may not carry on any other business.
He must supply eatables for his guests.
He is responsible for the maintenance of
order in his promises. To minors under
sixteen years he may not sell liquor,
unless they are accompanied by grown
persons. He may not open his place Of
business before eight o'clock in the
morning, if the police see fit to forbid
his doing 80. To any person who, within
the space Of three years, has been con
victedo OF common drunkenness-drunk-
enness on the streets, as we understand it
he may not sell splrituous liquors ex-
cept under heavy penalties. He may not
bounce the inebrlate. If the latter's
presence becomes Objectionable or his
money fades, the saloon man has the
option of sending his customer home or
to a police station. The streets are evil
IDENTIFY to be. protected from drunken
displays. Alcoholism is regarded as a
disease. Common drunkards and those
who are guilty Of neglecting their fam
lies, become legal minors and are placed
under legal guardianship. Against pub
lie servants, who while engaged in the
performance of their duties are guilty
Of intoxication, the severest penalties
are enacted. Physicians, nurses. fire.
men and others come within the bear
ing of the clause.
In all this, as we have said. there is
nothing that is new. The real novelty
lies in the fact that Germany should be
III need Of the restrictive legislation at
all. In the wide gamut of the English
tongue, there is, perhaps, no better
abused word than temperance. Ex-
tremists read it total abstinence and
war to the knife on liquor in all it's
forms and on every occasion. When the
drunkard dreams visions Of temperance.
he confines himself to a couple of cock
tails before breakfast. Sober men and
p%hilologists know that the word means
moderation. 1t is not, they maintain,
the use but the abuse that wrecks.
Such men have taken an honest pride
in pointing to the example of Germany
as a temperate nation, temperate in the
truest and best sense OF the word. They
have %instanced the beer gardens Of the
fatherland, with their happy family
groups of all sorts and conditions of
men, their delightful music, and the in
nocent pleasure and sobriety that per-
vaded the whole scene. There, at
least was one people that could
extract from life and lager beer
their simple pleasures without the
degradation of intoxication. But facts
are stern things and it would seem that
we must modify this view Of the German
national character. There is no need to
rush to the other extreme and declare
that the German people is becoming a
race of d~runkards. Such a statement
would be as utterly false as it would be
senseless. But we cannot shut our eyes
to the fact that the consumption of dis
titled liquors has increased in Germany
by leaps and bounds. 1t is the assurance
of the fact that has brought the author
tiles into action. Within the past eight
years the cases Of chronic alcoholism and
dellrium tremens, treated in public in
stitutions alone, have increased from
1912 to 10.360. The figure even then is
not alarming, but the evil is increasing
and with its increase swells the tide Of
crime, disease and panperism. All true
sons of the fatherland will wish the
government success in their latest
endeavor.
sPIRITUALlsTtC CONTRASTS.
Splritualiem and Slade must 10 to-
= x.. ~ l