The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-08
GERMAN LIQUOR Law.
Old King Gambrinus Attacked
in Ancient Stronghold.
THE EMPEROR A REFoRMER.
Excessive Drink Running the Bodies
and Morals of the Nation.
Alarming Increase of Insanity and Crime
Leads the Government to Propose
Rigid Regulation OF the saloon Busi-
ness to Check Consumption.

BERLIN, Sept. THE proposed new bill
against the business in spirituous liquors
was published in the Reichs-Anzeiger to-
day. 1t is a lengthy measure. Licenses
shall only be granted where there appears
to be need for retail liquor shops or sa-
looms. sThe character oil the applicant and
the location of the place must be taken
into consideration In cities of over 5000
inhabitants the retail trade in liquors
must not be connected with any other
Kind of trade, excepting drug stores,
which may sell liquors IN sealed and
labeled bottles. Inn and saloon keepers
must supply guests with non-spirituous
liquors If required; must keep strict order
and prevent anything which may lead to
the abuse of alcoholic drinks. The sale of
drinks to minors below the age of is is
forbidden, except when accompanied by
grown persons or travelling.
Inn and saloon keepers are forbidden to
furnish liquors to people who have been
convicted of common drunkenness within
three years and are also forbidden TO sup
ply intoxicated persons. They are not al
lowed to furnish liquor on credit, except to
guest taking it with meals. No claims
of sellers for liquor furnished in contra
vention of this order can be legally col
lected
Common drunkards and people who
by their addiction to liquor endanger the
public welfare or neglect their families
can be placed under legal guardianship.
line up to 100 marks, or imprisonment
up to four weeks, can be imposed on any
one who becomes intoxicated while en-
gagged in work connected with the saving
of life, prevention of disaster. etc, or who
attempts such work while drunk, except
in cases of urgent need. The same applies
to persons engaged in taking care of the
health of others, such as physicians,
nurses, etc.
The Reichs- Anzeiger presents reasons for
the passage of the bill in an exhaustive
article covering eleven columns closely
printed. Among other things it cites sta
tistics showing that in 1SS9-90 there
were consumed in Germany 2,279, ,s2S hecto-
litres of pure alcohol or 46f litres for each
man, woman and child; of wine, 44litres
were consumed per head, while the
ally is equal to an average
of ninety litres for each human being in
Germany. The article goes on to show
that the incorporate use of spirits has in-
creased mortality, caused sickness, is the
main fountain of pauperism, undermines
morality and ruins the family life. 1t
shows the enormous increase in
cases of chronic alcoholism and de-
lirium tremens in the past decade;
of the percentage of prisoners in the
penitentiaries and insane in the asy.ums
who originate from alcoholic troubles; of
the percentage of crimes committed by
drunkards, etc.
The emperor takes strong interest in
the matter.
The Freisinnige Zeitung says the best
way to combat drunkenness is to furnish
the masses with suffi cient and cheap food.