Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-01-07
Temperance in Scandinavia.

In The Forum Mr.. John Graham
Brooks gives an outline of the plan sue
cessfully adopted to lessen drunkenness
in Sweden and Norway. Originally ev-
cry farmer there made his own brandy
from potatoes and grain and sold it at
profit. Drunkenness increased so appall-
ingly that in Sweden in 1880 there were |
over 10, 900 private stills. 1t was about
this time that for the public good meas
ures were taken to check the awful in
temperance A howl at once went up
about interfering with private business.
This cry has likewise been heard in
America. However, things had come to
the pass where a great temperance re-
form had to begin,
1t began along legal as well as moral
lines. In Norway and Sweden the
ground was taken that the people would
have liquor in some form. The endeav-
or was made to give it to them in form
that minimized its evils. At length in
one town (Gothenburg) great company
was organized Che Gothenburg Licens-
ing company composed of the best citi-
zens. The town council co-operated
with them, and in course of time the
whole business of licensing liquor shops
was placed in their hands. Only pure
liquors were sold. The foundation prin-
ciple of their scheme was that there
should be no private profit in liquor sell
ing. Whatever profit there was should
accrue to the town itself
Immediately every motive was re-
moved for the selling of spirits by pri-
vate individuals. Licensing companies
were formed in many places, always
composed of the best citizens These
took into their own hands the business
They were allowed an interest on the
capital they invested; no more. Being
the influential citizens, they were able
to make their power respected.
The result after thirty years Of trial is
that drunkenness in Sweden and Norway
has fallen off nearly one-half. That is
really great victory in this age Of al
coholism. An English engineer quoted
by Mr.. Brooks writes:
The question OF personal profit from the
trading being entirely excluded in the soci-
cites operations, the public are offered no at
fractions in the bars beyond genuine liquors.
There are no bright, comfortable gin palaces
or seductive barmaids to attract the thirsty
, soul. The bars are simply plain rooms fitted
with a counter and shelves for glasses, etc.
! There are no seats for the customers, and they
9 are not permitted to loiter on the premises
they must consume their dram at once and
leave Immediately There is no chalkng W
Of scores TO be paid off when pay day come;
!. around. The business is strictly for cash. Any
+, one creating disturbance or appearing th'
D worse for liquor is not served
2 Children are not allowed upon the premises
and can therefore not be used as messenger
{ to procure liquors, besides which the societies
l. supply liquors only in their own glasses ant
q bottles. Youths younger than sixteen or sew
enteen years are not served. Only a reason
D able quantity of spirits is served at a time Z
" any customer, and not such quantity as Il
= the opinion of the bartender would be likel
u to produce intoxication. The prices Of tn
10 liquors sold are not more expensive than VINE
.. the private licenses conducted the trade; the
are fixed by the societies, subject to the ar
prevail Of the municipal council, so that tn
public interest is perfectly protected In tina
matter too The tariff of prices is hung up /
's the bars for the inspection Of the customer
le Only men of trustworthy character are al
b. pointed by the societies, but subject to the al
"a prevail of the municipal council They are ella
Of In uniform, each man with number on b
N. collar, like policeman, to enable his tdentii
cation In case of a customer having any con
ID plant to make.