The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-05
ENGLISH LAW AND pRuNEANps.

Inc brltlSn IQrlameEt has DelOrc il lDc
report OF a committee recommending much
moro drastic method Of dealing with drunk
ards than British law now permits. This
committee was appointed under the Salisbury
government, and has among its members
several ernin ent physicians and the Super1p-
tcndent of the Broadmore Criminal Insane
Asylum. Under an act passed in 1879 there
were established some retreats or reform
atories for the treatment and caro- OF drunk
ards who choose to 80 to them voluntarily.
This committee, according to the Springfield
Republican, finds that considerable portion
OF the drunkards who enter these reform
atorles are curod, and that more would be If.
they would remain longer therefore, they
recommend that Parliament give magistrates
the power to send these dipsomaniacs to
these retreats for period not exceeding two
years. This commitment may be made on
petition OF the relatives OF the inebr1ate or ut
the discretion Of the magistrate. and 1t SUBJ
jects the drunkard to rigorous discipline
and close confinement If necessary. drunk
ard may still bo admitted to these retreats on
his own petition, but once in he must stay
there until discharged as cured. He may Sc
lect his own retreat, whether sentenced or
voluntarily going there, and such property
rs he has would be liable for his and his lam
ily's maintenance during his confinement.
The poorer clusses are to be provided for out
OF the public treasury or in public asylums.
The semi-criminal class of habitual drunk
ards, with whom the police have to deal, are
to be subject to an indeterminate sentence.
which shail not be less than year, upon the
third conviction for drunkenness within
twelve months, or on being proved guilty OF
ill-treatment or neglect OF their families. 1t
is also proposed 10 give the police In the
large towns and cities the power to arrest
without warrant oil persons found drunk
on the public streets or in public places and
lock them up until they can be tried before
magistrate These last suggestions OF the
committee are regarded as bold and almost
revolutionary, for the right Of the Briton to
be drunk on tine streets has been regarded rs
m inalienabe one. Public sentiment is said,
However, to approve the recommendations
OF this committee, which are largely based
on the legislation in force in several OF our
States, and they are likely to be enacted by
the Commons and probably by the Lords
also. -
ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE DRINK TRAFFIC.
From whatever standpoint We look on this
evil Of intemperance we are amazed at liz
htdeousness. Consider simply the economic
aspects OF it. We meet in congresses of la
Dor. The labor question has become the
great question Of the day. The millions OF
t0llerS demand tnat Iney nave sOIlC pdIt III
the privileges and happiness OF this world,
and the labor question Is great and
mighty one. We need to give to every child
Of God some rays Of the sunshine which is
intended for all. and we need to give to cvcry
child of God sufIlciency Of the fruits OF the
earth which the Creator gave to the children
Of men ut large and not to few.
But at the very threshold Of this labor
question comes this temperance question. 1t
is fearful to think olit, but in this Nation of
the United States over 81 ,00C. 900 annu
ally is spent in the direct traffic Of intoxicat
ing liquors, besides its being the direct cause
OF the waste Of much more money. Men arc
unable to work because OF injury done to
their appetites by drink. Time is absorbed
in drinking, the country's resources arc scat
tered to tho wind. 1t would be much better
il the money given to drink were taken and
cast ito the lake. At least it would then
leave behind il no harm.
But here, in this beginning OF the Twen-
tieth Century in civilization, we are taking
the riches of the country and using them TO
purchase te;Irs, mourning and misery. We
are using them so that our families will be
demolished, so that the very social fabric be
endangered. And not only this, but we sit
still. We look on--we Christians. we Tho
have M interest in the country and in hu-
manity-anJ we see the armies OF the liquor
interests forming in serricd ranks defyins
even the very Nation. Is it not shame and
O disgrace that in any civilized Christian
community laws are made and guarded sa-
credly on the statute books, and yet the
liquor interests throughout the country are
able to laugh these laws to scorn Gnd to say
to other interests "Obsorvo these laws rs
You will. We, the liquor dealers. are above
law. Bishop Ireland.