Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-09-19
WAR ON RUM.
Bishop Messmer's Plan to Organize
Against the Liquor Bust

Against the Liquor Bust
ness.
Green Bay, Wis, Sept. 12.-Bshop S.
G. Messmer, the eminent Catholic di-
vine, who is at the head of this inn
portant diocese, is planning the fOrma-
ton of new national temperance league
which is expected to wage Il more sue
ceSSful warfare against the sale and
use OF liquors than any organization now
IN existence 1t is proposed not to corl-
hne the membership to Catholics but to
take in members from all denomina lions.
W bile the bishop is pronounced adyo>
cate OF temperance, his views as to how
the desired result may be attained differ
somewhat from those as held by other ma
tlonal temperance workers. He maintains
that prohlbitOry laws fail and have failed
by reason OF their being too extreme al
together. There would be more tenn
perance among Germans, for instance"
he SAID today to a Gazette man, IF they
were to be approached in Il different man
ner, less forcible and less compulsory.
Total abstinence, as we see it advocated by
prohlbitiOnists, will never be looked upon
kindly by Germans.
For years | have studied the subject"
continued the bishop, and have come to
the conclusion that there may be way
out of the difficulty. l have in mind a
plan by which certain ideas of mine NAV
be made instrumental in shaping the way
Tor the realization of the hopes of adyO-
Gates of temperance. This is the fOrma-
ton of temperance league which, / hope,
will take in members of different denomi-
nations and not cOnfine its membership
to only Catholics or Professionals
The great work of the league would
be in the first place to counteract the gen
eral causes OF intemperance. These are
principally three. First, adulterated
drinks. by which is caused a depraved
TO str hot Nv HA EoI ~,
use and consumption of strong drinks.
Secondly, the saloon in its specific work
and effect as distinguished from restau-
rants and hotels and with all its dire
surroundings Thirdly, certain social hab-
its, leading to drink, such as treating
frequenting saloons, manners by which
others are more or less morally forced to
drink; playing and gambling for liquors,
etc.
These direct and indirect causes could
6e most effectively combated by the
Temperance league. First in general bv
creating sound public sentiment and
opinion against intemperance, and in par
ucuar against these causes thereof. Sec
Ondly, by directly counteracting them in
securing the enactment of laws and see
ing that they are enforced. In Eurone
strict laws covering the adulteration of
all splrltuous beverages are enforced. The
dlstller and the brewer alike are under
strict police surveillance. Why can't it
be done here? The place of manufacture
and sale of Intoxicating liquors should be
under regular supervision of the law.
Third, as regards the saloon, by (a) reduc.
Ing their number High license, strict
rules in granting licenses, and rules as to
the proportion of the number of saloons
to the population of a place might be
potent factors in that direction And bl
as regards the closing time. l would like
to see saloons closed all through
Sundays; city and park hotels might
be open. but they certainly should
be closed during the time of church
services, forenoons and evenings. On
week days they should not be al
lowed to keep open after midnight, and
on Saturdays they should for very good
reasons close much earlier 1t is then
that men receive their wages They
know that they need not work on the day
following and thus they are induced &c
carouse and to waste their money On
Sundays they lie ut home, suffering from
the effects of the liquor and quarrel with
their good wives and families 1t is then
that most of the family troubles originate
And (c) do not allow minor persons under
Is years of age stay in saloons either foI
the purpose of drink or play. They have
no business there. Fourthly. the league
might work against the causes of intern
perance by special rules and habits to be
observed by its members, which rules
ought to be on a basis broad enough f.
W
Of practising and promoting by example
and persuasion the cause of temperance
The league could inaugurate a system OF
different degrees or grades, progressing
from the less severe to Stricter observance
IF | were to outlive these degrees ]
would say let the first degree be formed
by those who pledge themselves not tc
treat or be treated in the accepted sense
of the word. The second might be the
anti-saloon degree. The members woulG
agree not to visit or go into any saloon
merely for the purpose of drinking The
third [ would call the anti-whisky degree.
Abstain altogether from strong drinks
like whisky. brandy, gin, ETC.. though yor
may take your glass Of beer or wine The
fourth the total abstinence degree. would
enroll 2ll those who would be sincerely
willing to abstain from the use of all in
tOxicating drinks, for a certain time only
or for the course of their lives.
Such broad temperance league has
the advantage" concluded the bishop. ''ot
gathering and uniting with itself afl per
sons who are in favor of helping the tenn
perance movement in one way or an
other; it will gain in strength and Tnfiu,
ence as it grows in numbers. Besides. il
will avoid extremes which at present
cause many to keep away from the move.
ment who would otherwise from inclina
ton be among the foremost of temperance
promoters.
II shall be in LOUISVILLE. said Bishop
Messmer ION September % when the
Kathalikentag meets. The American
Union of Catholic Youths will meet at the
same time. | am to address them. and il
is my purpose to outline to them this plan.
and | pXDpct that wa then will fOrrr1 S,,ob