New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-24
~ ANTL.TRE1T SOCIETY.

Dolgoyillc is an energetic cnterprSing village
sitfatcd UP in the good old county OF HerkIher'
list now il il trying an interesting experiment
in tho field Of practical temperance reform Inns
il an Anti-Tnat Society. It's members have
signed this pledge: 1--WE, the undersigned be-
lioving that the matter of treating for sociablty
sake has been carried too far, hereby agree, one
with the other that we will neither give nor ac-
ccpt treats" There is nothing complex about this.
The scheme is very simple, very modest. II does
not aim At accomplishing a sweeping reform
il does not pronounce against the use OF wet
goods. nor docs il pronounce for them. The
members of the society are left free 10 follow
the dictates Of their individual judgment or in
clnation touching the drink question, only they
pre- prohibited from treating or being treated.
II needs no argument to prove that the custom
of treating has boon largely instrumental in pro
noting incompetence. \ party Of three 20 up
70 a bar Tom orders tho drinks for Dick Harry
and himself Then Dick has them set up
again for Tom, Harry and himself Then Harry
insists that "you must have one with me- boys"
- a third round is furnished for Harry, Tom and
Dick 1t is particularly foolish custom, hay
ing its origin in mistaken conception on the
part OF InDUR!lhtNo tOuie lHrl gwen w NRIdDH-
ity Of what is due to generosity. And 50 long
as Ten treats and Dick and Harry are treated,
We may be sure that Dick and Harry, by way
Of indicating their respect for tho quid pro
quo doctrine, will in turn treat Tom 1t often
happens that neither of them cares for more than
single drink. But each Of them takes three
glasses. perhaps muddng the brain and disar-
ranging tho stomach but respecting what is ele-
gantly known as ono of " the social amenities"
To put a stop to this silly fashion would be
great gain to the temperance cause. 1t is to
bo hoped therefore, that the example which
DoIgevie has set will DO followed by all the
other places in IIerlmer Courtyard ont of it.
If Anti-Trcat societies could be generally e4stab-
lished in our State the result would be that
GOOD deal less liquor would be drunk and
proportionatc number of heads would ache Of
morning less frequently than they do under the
existing state of things. society similar to
the one in question exists in Philadelphia. 1.-The
philadelphia treat as it is called, embraces as
a rule but a single pelson-thc man who being
thirsty calls for a drink. If John Doe OF the
society /, walking down Chcstnu-st. with
friend it may occur to him * he reaches hotel
that he is dry. If so, he informs his friend that
he is going in TO take something at the same
time inouring if he also wants drink, but not
inviting him to have one. II the friend replies
in the affirmative John Doe then and there be-
fore entering the hotel hands him the price of
drink. whcrmrpon the two 60 in and are served,
each paying for what he gets, with the explicit
understanding that the friend shall not rcGpro-
cate That is the Philadelphia treat; but
since in effect it provides for one treat it is not
quite up to the standard Of the Dogeyille ex-
pertinent.
They used to tell good story in Washington
Of y Congressman gifted as a drnkcr and never
at loss for an answer One day As he stood
chatting with party of friends in rho restaurant
Of the Capitol, one Of them said to him: 81
happened to bo passing your room at Wizards
this morning before breakfast, and a waiter was
taking in two cocktails. What do You want with
two oocktas?o We'll" replied the Congress
man, "its just here. When l get up take