The Portland daily press., 1892-12-15

unfair, but impossible, to institute
comparisons between cities in regard tc
a matter like intoxication, of which It'll
SO difficult to obtain accurate statistics.
Excessive drinking takes many FORMS
some of which never show themselves
to casual observer. Though l have
seen many cities of the United States ]
have intimate acquaintance with only
one besides the city of Washington. So
far as external appearances go, there
Is certainly much less intemperance tc
be seen in the streets of Washington
than is visible publicly in New York city.
Aside from inherited tendencies, the
two chief causes of intemperance among
ordinary men seem to be idleness and
want. A great many of the poor resort
to drink because they are in want OF
good sustaining food. Certainly there Is
much less of this sort of drinking in
Washington than in any other cities in
this country"
That last sentence contains more
than modicum of truth. It seems to
cover the case completely. There is
very little enforced idleness and conse
quent want in this city. Only those
who will not work are idle and PENN.
less. The seat of government being
here, and over one and a half million
dollars being disbursed here every
month, gives us considerable of q circu
lating medium in excess of the amount
usually available in cities of equal
population. Hence, there is less idle
ness and want here than in other
cities. Consequently there is less
drunkenness.
81 am very sorry that such a state
ment was made by a prominent man. !"
says Catholic priest who has been
travelling in the west for some time.
Statements of that character have
given Washington ansundeservedly bad
name. While travelling / have been
grieved to hear exaggerated and I'M
warranted statements made against the
social customs of the capital. Every
patriotic American should have the
reputation of this city at heart, and be
guarded against making destructive
criticisms which are calculated to be-
little the national capital in the opin-
ions of the people of the country"
While denouncing and refuting the
allegations concerning the condition Of
social and official circles in this particu-
lar, am constrained to admit that
there was much original foundation for
the thought of the country concerning
the tippling habit in Washington. Be-
fore the war, during and Immediately
after that struggle, it was customary
and not unbecoming for men to drink
freely, deeply and sometimes excessive
ly. It was almost always expected,
when gentlemen were introduced, for
one or both of them to follow the intro
duction with an invitation to take a
drink at some bar. A well-known
newspaper man who has been here for
many years, recently said to me: Gen.
Rawlins and were here as army Off
GERS, in common with many others,
with nothing to do but draw pay for
several years after the war, and we
played billiards four or five hours every
day, just to kill time. Between games,
we were constantly meeting friends
and being introduced to newcomers
here, with the result that / acquired
the drinking habit, which has chung to
me ever since and rhinimized my useful
ness.s am glad to be able to say, how
ever, that there is ninety per cent. less
drinking in this city now than there
was twenty-five years ago"
My own experience here corroborates
and emphasizes that statement The
growth of the temperance sentiment
throughout this country has been kept
pace with by the growth of similar
sentiment in this city. The temper
ance workers throughout the republic
may thank God ana take courage, for
every effort put forth by them in their
own communities has reflex infiu-
ence upon the social life of the govern
mental city. Members of congress,
senators, cabinet ministers and all pub
lie officials here feel that the eyes OF
tho people are upon them; and they
know that the hearts of the people are
inclined towards sobriety and temper
ance. SMITH D. Fry.