New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-03
MR.. TE1LLS --LATEST.
cOlOrs.

The latest device of Mr.. Oliver Sumner Teal
for keeping himself busy possesses solid merit
1t cannot be expected that every enterprise
which Mr. Teal projects for the occupation Of
his time and the benefit of the community Will
prosper His fertility is marvellous and be-
wildcrins. and be allows so brief an interval
for reflection between his successive concep-
tions that before his fellow citizens are able to
make up their minds concerning any one OF
them their attention is likely to be diverted
by the appearance of another. We think that
this is Mr. TealTs chief defect as a promoter
of IDEAS lie ought to learn that there are
very few persons whose mental processes are
so rapid as his own. and to make reasonable
allowance for intellectual infirmitics which nc
does not share To be sure, some of the
schemes which he thus suppants almost before
he has given them birth might eventually be
rejected by discriminating community. 50 that
the saving of time j. not always offset by inc
loss of something else. But there is constant
danger that in the course of these lightning
changes a potential blessing will he whirled
ont of sight before It's merits have been rccog
nizcd. We urge Mr.. Teal to pause for day
or two where he is and permit the public to
consider calmly his proposal for putting an end
to the foolish, expensive and dcmorallzns
custom known as treating.
We do not know the origin of the impulse
which impcs citizens OF the United states VINO
are rational in most other respects to contract
and pcrscycrc in this habit ~ drink ing tn excess
at the expense OF one another. Ii is a custom
peculiar 10 this country. we believe, though II
NAV possibly have been transplantcd to some
extent in recent years by migrating Americans.
Certainly this i, not one OF the ways in which
we have improved upon the ancient clviliza
tions. Treating is essentially absurd but II
that were all il would not much matter. There
are a 90 d many things which, though they are
absurd. are scarcely worth the trouble OF OK
terminating them. But treating 10 drinks l.
so Objectionable from every point OF view that
a vigorous crusade against it would be Iaud-
able and ought 10 be successful. That II pro-
notes ntcmpcrancc has never been denied by
anybodv. so far as we are aware, and ii It were
denied the fact would remain just tho same.
1t is certainly popular, using that word in the
sense of customary; but we are convinced that
il is dislikcd and dcporcd by great majority
Of those who have fallen into the habit. AZ
first glance il seems TO wear cheerful, hos
pltable aspect, Dut DcloW inc Suiidcc IL - VII
comcly and unwhOlcsOmc There never was
and there never will be any good reason why
a man should drink from two to ten times as
much as he wants at an expense from two To
ten times as large as he prefers to bear IN
obedience TO social custom which he thor
oughly dsapprovcs. incidentally, it may be
said that treating puts special burden on
persons of generous disposition and gives a
special advantage TO the stingy.
This custom may prevail in its most offensive
form and accomplish its worst results in bar
rooms, but, if possible, it is even more ridic-
ulo,,s in clubs And if Mr.. Teal is moved to
accept our suggestion and refrain from launch
ing a new enterprise until this one has had
a chance to catch the gale Of popular favor, we
hopo that he will begin his crusade against
treating in the numerous social organizations
Of men to which he belongs.