The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-02

we see that in this one Home there was
saved to the Government over $4,000 in
one year. These are official figures, and
hence are entitled to weight. What has
been accomplished in this Home can
be done in any city or town in
time. But there is an argument in
the editorial referred to which seems to
me to be very specious; the argument is
that, because drinking is voluntarily in
dulged in, as a consequence the State has
nothing to do with it, that it is the mans
own fault if he becomes drunkard, and
that you illustrate it by saying "Men can
jump off the tops off buildings
and hurt themselves; they can get in
front OF moving trains, and they can
drink themselves into disease; but it is
not the States business TO furnish the
doctor" Ibeg your pardon, but it is the
States business to furnish the doctor
where the man is unable to furnish one
himself, and not only that, but the State
pays for it; the man who jumps
from tho top OF building
and who steps in front OF
started trains, IL he has not the means to
procure medical attendance, is taken to a
hospital, where he gets the best medical
treatment possible at the expense of the
State, and the same for any disease which
he may contract, voluntarily or otherwise.
Moderate drinking in some men brings
on the disease Of drunkenness, and in
view OF our present social customs, it is
very hard to condemn in q sweeping way
all moderate drinkers, and yet If there
were no moderate drinkers, there wauld
be no drunkards. There is not walk
in life, an occupation, or profession where
persons arc free from the evil OF moderate
drinking; politicians, merchants, lawyers,
even clergymen are addicted to it, and
there has been, and is, good representa-
tion OF oil of these professions at the
Keeley Institutes OF the United States
today.
Drunkenness is responsible for a large
percentage OF the crime and poverty 81
the world; crime and poverty are pub
lie evils OF the day; IL society has rig ht
to exist, it has right to protect itself
protect itself from injury OF all kinds;
IL the State has any excuse for ex-
istence, IL is its duty to pass
such laws and provide such means as will
best serve to make its citizens happy and
prosperous and itself strong. How could
a State possibly better sustain itself, bet
ter make provision for the future
mot only materially but moral
ly) than TO take steps for
the eradication of drunkenness; the pull
pit, the press, the temperance societies
and the prison fail to reform the drunk
ard. The Keeley cure has already rescued
25O,0 900, struggling as it is against the in.
fiuence of the medical profession and the
prejudices Of the press and public. Give
he Keeley Treatment q trial, as we have
given the system of fine and imprison-
ment trial in the case of drunkenness, |
and IL 1t Is not successful, there is no
trouble about repeating the law.
venture to predict, however, |
hat IL the law is permitted to remain for |
, period of two years upon the statute
books of your state that the member of |
he Legislature who would sfterward in
,roduce bill to remove it would commit |
political suicide.
Respectfully yours,
THOMAS T.. BARRY,
National Secretary. Treasurer Keeley
League.