Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-08-30
The Force that is Back of the Terrible
Drink Traffic


The Force that is Back of the Terrible
Drink Trafhc.
A reader puts to us this question:
err in your noted war-cry, Pulverize
the rum power? "
Probably there are other readers
who do not realize that the phrase the
rum power, includes all men who make
money out of the liquor traffic, in any
capacity. II does not mean simply sa-
loon-keepers, but much larger body
of men than their aggregate numbers.
Let us illustrate by using the figures
as to the number Of saloons and sa
loonkeepers in the state of New York.
and the other persons who form. to-
gether with these, that class which is
collectively denominated the rum
power.
There are 1900 licensed liquor sa-
looms in New York city. 5000 in Brook
1yn, 2, 200 ia Buffalo, $50 in Albany, $50
in Rochester, and 700 in Troy, total
of Is, 400 in the six largest cities of the
Empire state There are $500 licensed
saloons in the other 46 cities of the
state, and 5000 in the unincorporated
townships, total of $4,000. Figuring
at two, the average number of bar
keepers to IA saloon. the result is $4,000
proprietors, barkeepers and helpers.
TO this total must be added the follow
ing
There are $50 breweries in New
York state, and the number OF men
employed in each, workmen. super
intendents book-keepers, collectors
cashiers, drivers, hostlers, chemists
coopers and engineers averages about
eighty men, making a total of more
than 10000. There are $50 distilleries
in the state, having an average work
ing force in all departments OF about
thirty men in Office and factory maxi
ing a total OF bout IL, 500 men engaged
in the wholesale branch OF the liquor
business
Then there are the dealers in saloon
keepers fixtures, their clerks, drum
mers and worlmen; there are those |
vino make business Of providing the |
free lunches: there are the bottlers /
large class; the manufacturers of and |
dealers in glassware, saloon mirrors |
beer pumps. and eorkscrews, and the /
makers Of advertising signs and orna-
ments. This about includes the domes- /
tic beer and liquor interests Of
the state and those interested and afil-
lated with it. There is to be added the
foreign import trade in wines, cham
paPnes. ales. spirits, liquors and bran
dies, aud the agents. clerks and sales
men engaged in it, With these addi-
tions tee total number of men in the
wine, liquor and beer trades in New
York state. or directly connected with
them, does not fan anything short OF
300, 300
The liquor business is peculiar in this
that, from its nature, women and
minors are excluded, II is conducted
almost exclusively by men Hence
these 200 600 are practically an voters
and this is one of the reasons for the
potentiality of the rum power 10
politics No only does every man en-
gagged in it have vote. hut probably
the largest number of them each con.
troll one or more other votes Through
this means. its political influence is
lar greater lhan lhe casual opNefNel
would be inclined 70 suppose.
What is the cohesive force whic
holds this army OF voters together"
Simply the money that is made in the
liquor traffic There is hardly any oc-
,npation which affords So great
! margin of profit The greed Of gain
holds these men in their occuoatio.
md nerves hem to resist anv AZ al
legislation that would cni-ail their
'ales or otherwise diminish their
profits. The temperance element of |
he country is not animated. Of course
by this most potent Of all factors OF
human activity. the desire for gain. |
They must deperd upon argument and
moral influence in the effort TO pulver
1e the rum power. Toledo Blade.