The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1895-02-21
THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

Much has been said and written rela-
tive to the best method OF regulating the
liquor traffic, a universally recognized
evil, welding an influence almost beyond
computation.
High license is the accepted policy in
this state, and is acknowledged superior
to any other plan ever attempted in
Minnesota. Local option in nine cases
out of ten fails of its purpose, while con-
stitutional prohibition does rot accom-
plish the end desired. The sc-called
Gothenburg system. as enforced in Nor
way and Sweden, is attracting atten-
ton at present, not only in this state,
but throughout the country, and there
seems to he difference OF opinion as TO
its effectiveness. The Toledo Blade, a
strong anti-liquor paper, sees in it a
vast deal of virtue, and commends it in
strong terms. 1t outlines it's main fea
ture; as follows:
The educated and intelligent class in
Sweden became alarmed over the enor-
nous consumption of distilled liquors.
Sweden had become the land of drunk
ards. no fewer than 33 .342 stills were
IN operation as late as the sos, or one
still to each 100 inhabitants, and the
annual per capita consumption of liquor
was 2S12 quarts, or double that of any
nation at the present time. The Swedes
were the heaviest drinkers in the world
when their first liquor law was passed
The chief feature of reform in this law
granting a monopoly OF the business
to an approved cOmpany-waSn not given
n trial for ten years, however, and the
many benefits inherent in the system
were DELAYED till, in 1865. company
was organized among the citizens OF
Gothenburg. This company petitiOned
for concession of all the retail liquor
licenses in the town. pledging themselves
to conduct the business without further
profit to themselves than a reasonable
return OH the capital invested and ia de-
vote the surplus to the welfare of the
laboring classes"
Despite the most virulent opposition,
the petition was granted. And it's issue
was the redemption OF not only Sweden
but Norway as well. City after city
adopted the plan. 1t produced a COM
plete revolution in the liquor traffic. In
ten wears the number OF saloons in all
Sweden was reduced one-fourth. And
in Norway, where the system was given
trial, the showing was equally tri-
umphant, for since 1871 till the last
census the number Of saloons was re-
duced fro m sol to 227, or one saloon
tor each SCI inhabitants. At the same
time the per capita consumption of dis
titled spirits fell off till to-day the Swedes
who once ranked as the heaviest drink
ers among civilized nations, have drop
ped down to ninth place.
The element OF profit is eliminated
from! the traffic. The right to sell dis
titled liquors (the law does not apply to
malt liquors) in a town is given to a
company, composed of the best citizens
of the place. The keeper OF the saloon IS
ALWAYS selected because ofhis high moral
character, because he is expected to use
every energy to discourage drinking.
rather than to encoui ageit. The liquors
sold are absolutely pure, and man
can buy but one very small glass at
time. After drinking cnce he cannot be
sold another Until three hours have
elapsed. There are no chairs nor tables
in the room; no pictures nor ornaments;
no treating is allowed, nor drinking in
company. No drinker is allowed to re-
main in the room; he must leaye as soon
as lie gets his drink. The saloons open,
as rule, at 8 in the morning, close from
IL to 1870 p. m, and close &C 7:3O p. m.
in winter and p. m. in supmer. On
the day before a holiday they close at
noon, and thew close before the working
men are paid of. The keeper who re.
duces his annual sales gets an increase
in salary. .Habitual drinkers or, those
under the influence OF liquor are not
served at all. The net earnings are di-
vIded ber ween the state and municipal
treasury, after certain percentage is
paid the agricultural society.
Who will be the next mayor of Sank
Nonfra2