The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-13
The Solution OF the Ligu nor Question.

AS the whole country appears TO be at sea
being said about license, dispensaries, pro
hibition and free liquor, I beg to submit g
plan by which, think, will satisfy very
large majority. of the people. allowing al
who wish to drink to do so, and those who
do not need not be taxed TO purchase whis-
key to supply the dispensary, doing away
with the saloons, dispensaries, and the ac.
cursed system OF espionage on persons aud
am satisfied it will under my plan, all would
be satisfied and happy, and consequently a
blessing bestowed upon mankind.
Let license tax OF one, Two or dye dollars
privilege Of drinking during the year, the
amount 80 realized to 60 to the supplement
Of the school fund The government could
furnish cheap badges to be worn upon the
penalty be put upon every one who drinks,
or offers drinks to others without display
ofthe regulation badge.
At the annual assessment Of property let
the question be asked, "Do you drink" be
answered "Yes'' or "No," as the case may be,
and the Auditor, if the answer is sYes." pro
ceed to hang on the badge. 1t could be got
ten up in artistic style, such as the palmetto
tree" with the chemically pure" inscription
upon it, and this would look "nobby" upon
the coats and vests OF the young sWells. and
even the older men. Then look at the reve-
pue and the inexpensive system Of its collec-
ton. A memb Der of the recent temperance
mass meeting made the assertion that there
were no more than two hundred white pro-
hibitionists in the county, and probably an
equal number, or less, OF blacks, and, say
there are about four thousand or more OF
voters and drinkers in the county, see what
an income this would ensure to the school
fund OF tax lists Then, as there would be no
expense attached to the sale Of liquors, 1t
would be cheap, drinks at five cents or one
dollar per gallon. all classes, the poorest as
we'll as the richer, could afford to drink.
Only few days. drinking, or perhaps one
in the saving in price. Then, as all would be
allowed to sell, merchants could keep the
article as kind Of "side line" for their Gus
toners, and the enticing paraphernalia fthe
fun the prohibi,ionists could have in wstch.
tnq those without badge, and as it would,
by law, be made felony or assault to ask q
man to drink without his regalia In sight. 1t
the exhilirating influence Of a drink aud an.
other paying for it to have his badge displayed
in bold relief. the field would be smaller,
and consequently the evaders Of the law
could be more easily detected, and as every
taxpayer would be interested in seeing his
neighbor paying his proportionate share Of
taxes, all the honest drinkers would become
detectives and informers.
Then again, the most of men would be
ashamed 20 not own badge for fear he
TWonid say word here as to liquor drink
ing in general. Few men drink to get drunk.
This is only an after part OF the first drink
or two. And often wonder why some take
so much interest in the well-being of his
fellow man in this one respect alone. The
great advocates OF temperance often forget
the salvation Of the soul, or the personal ad-
iety about personal habits. He Is never
over jealous to attach his name to 8 bank
note, OF give him worldly or heavenly lift
in the great struggle for life. He may have
crying for the bare necessity Of life withon:
giving them thought, while he is spending
all his time, bending all his e1ertions, weep.
ing, wailing and worrying over the curse OF
dram drinking when want and destitutlon
are staring the poor and helpless IN the face,
and where words of cheer aud helping hand
could do so much good to alleviate their
wants. And in most cases these enthusiastic
prohibitionists are men who never did drink,
don't love it, and could not. for some una
voidab:e circumstances, drink II they would,
and place all the ills that flesh is heir to; at
the door of liquor drinking. There ere many
other Gins equally IS rulnous and destructive,
among the few might mention: laziness.
lying, cheating aud stealing. &c, which we
hear but little from the prohibitionists. II
they would concentrate their energies, time
and purse to help the worldly sufferers IN
come ction with their temperance crusade,
would not their acts look less selnsh? What
credit does the temperate man deserve who
is temperate from necessity and not choice
Some Of the most ardent tetotalers in this
country have been drInkards all their life,
whose finance now is too much exhausted, OF
the doctors have given them a fright and
forced them to leave of However, a great
many are truly temperance advocates from
pure love Of their fellow man. But why give
all their energies to suppress this vice In ex-
clusion to all others?
Now in conclusion. Mr.. Editor, If any one
can formulate better. more economical,
satisfying plan let him rise and explain.
This, / think, beats the 'sub-treasury. OF
something better" or the matrimonial and
baby pension
A STATESMAN WITHOUT JOB.