National Baptist world., 1894-10-12
DRINKING IN PUBLIC.
The Days of Universal Tipping In AI
Places Have Passed By.

The Days of Universal Tipping In All
Places Have Passed By.
A newspaper in neighboring city
prints an interview with a saloon pro-
prietor of local note in which the opin-
ion is expressed that the best days OF
the saloon as an institution have passed
away. This is not altogether improba-
bic, though appearances in the larger
cities, in the neighborhood of popular
saloons, may be the other way.
1t requires close observation, contin-
ued for length of time, to furnish sat-
isfactory evidence whether there has
been a change in the extent and char
| acter of saloon patronage or not. The
number of saloons in the large cities
has not diminished. 1t is not easy to say
whether their profits have diminished
or not; but it is certain that, with few
exceptions, no great fortunes are ac-
cumulated in the retail liquor traffic
Has there been a change in the class of
person who constitute the patrons of
the saloons?
To certain extent striking change
has occurred in the classes from which
saloon patronage is derived. 1t is more
noticeable in the old cities than in the
new but it is noticeable everywhere.
New railroad and mining towns, and
towns in the new parts of the country
opening up to settlement, are not to be
taken as average specimens to show II
changes have occurred in the elements
of saloon patronage. Chicago is
''fast'' town, and perhaps represents
the saloon interest in its most flourish
, ing condition. and is typical Of the rela-
tiOns which exist between the police
, and the saloons.
l Taking Chicago as standpoint 1t
can be said with truth that the period
has ended in which the entire business
population, almost, focked to the sa-
looms at established hours of the day
> for their drinks" Not many years
l aro it was the custom for almost every
I business man to ''drop around at his
= habituaI place, regularly, more than
once day for glass of spirits Busi-
;, ness and professional acquaintances
l met in groups at the bar and drank to-
!. gether. The barl1eeper knew each pa
= irons favorite tap
Clerks and employees followed the
. habits of proprietors and employers
0 Thew had their select bars which they
+ patronized At these hours customers
" did not visit stores, warehouses anC
= Offices There was hiatus in busl
ness. or it was discussed with the street
IL gossip, the weather and other subjects
K with the round of drinks"
There has, been revolution IN this
IL respect. 1t is very seldom, indeed
g that business men of repute, careful O.
appearances, are seen drinking at th'
le bar of saloon. If they take drinl
er in that way it is at distance from
+, their places of business, or at the "bu1
Y fet' of hotel, where they appear as 1
d they had accidentally dropped in t.
r. meet one of the hotel guests.
" Men who retain the habit of drink
n inU in business hours seldom go II
il pairs or groups to saloon for the pun
er pose. As rule, each goes alone, ur
V. obtrusively, satisfies his thirst an
lg slips out as solitarilyhe slipped in. Thl
n is unsociable, but it leads less to e1
TX cess. 1t is not from parsimony, bu
because drinking in crowds has cease
err to be the fashion.
w The saloons are not crowded VIII
We citizens who go downtown In the ever
II. inc to meet their friends and associate
es Except a little throng of customer
re after the theaters and except whel
he billiards and pool are in progress, TT
evenings at saloons are the dull part
en- the day. -,
nd Guests at the hotels patronlze tt
at bars less than in former times II
hit ante e-breakfast cocktail is no long
To general and a matter Of course. Con
he drunk to bed, or even tight, is uncol
mon. The guests at hotels IN the MAJ
IT. are on business errands and drink b
ae little. Business men away from hor
ha and at home alike do not fuddle the
~ brains with drink when they have b'
on mess requiring their attention
ill Club drinking has not taken t
va place of saloon drinking, Ctubm
t,.u drink as little as other people
Ia few men drink at home. I'm ,he stree
in business places, on the cars,
mn, hotels. but few men are seen who
"a countenances are inhamed with hqu
81 A total abstinence reform has I
~ swept over the country. An lmme1
~ amount of liquor is consumed as b.
ho- erage. But the days OF universal drll
,nlx ing, in all places, at all times M
;t,s passed away, and better customs
Established Chicago Herald.