The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-17
BARROOMs IN NORWAY.
observations of the Workings of the
GOthenburE System.
Springfield Republican.

Springfield Republican.
DR.. Moxom explained the Gothenburg or
Norwegian system in detail, giving as its vi
tai principle that the state shall make the
liquor business absolute monopoly, and
put it into the control of responsible men,
whose motive is to reduce, instead of in
creasing, the per capita consumption. The
effect is also to reduce the number of sa-
looms to marked degree. The profits ac-
crue not to the company, but to the peo-
pie, in the shape of public institutions.
amusement halls, etc.
II something of the workings of the
system in Sweden and Norway" said DR..
Moxom Il visited more saloons last sum
examined the liquors carefully, found out
what kinds were sold, and how many
glasses a man can buy. In Bergen there
are in the neighborhood of a dozen places
where liquor is sold by the glass or bottle.
Each is plain room, perfectly clean, with
out even a picture the wall. There is
not even chair in the room, except stool
behind the counter for the official in charge.
He is a respectable man. probably MEM
Der of the church. On the walls are print
ed the rules of the company, which all must
obey. If a man asks for aqua vita he lays
undrugged spirit is poured out for him. He
Is not allowed to remain in the room, and
come back in three hours The glass is so
small that he might take a glass every
three hours in the day and not get drunk.
A workingman cannot take nip on his
way to work, for the saloons do not open till
8. nor at noon, for the saloons close from 70
to 1:3O o'clock. The hour for closing in
winter is $780, and in summer o'clock. The
dav before holiday they close at noon,
and they are closed before the workingmen
are paid off.
mo man can make a cent from the bust
ness. The man behind the counter is en-
fairly good salary, but not cent from the
business. If he deviates from the rules of
promoted for making as small sales as pos
sible The policy of the whole system is to
crowd down the consumption of alcohol. In
1875 the. per capita consumption was 38
quarts; in 1892 it was reduced to 3.3 quarts.
Norway and Sweden were the most drunken
countries in Europe; now Norway is three
is the exact reverse of license system. I'M
der which the license dealers stimulate trade
they have paid for their licenses. think
it would be better to have free whisky than
cities The difference between that and this
is as great the difference between day
and night. The Norwegian system elmi-
mates politics entirely. 1t has been argued
that it makes drunkenness respectable but
its effect has been to elevate the public
spirit and array it against drunkenness.
The system has been recognized as work.
ing against the monster Of drink, and it
has become less respectable to patronize
saloon.
MANY people maintain" Dr. Moxon con-
tinued. in taking up the objections present
liquor in any way is Sin lii The position is
absolutely untenable. There is basis in
per Sc the taking of alcohol IS a sin. 1t GER
tainly is a sin to take it in excess. but the
abstract question cannot by any possibility
be based on this ground. If we cannot kill
the evil at a blow, it is the part of right
eousness to conquer it by degrees. If men
will not do that they are not only unpracti-
cal, but unrighteous, because they hinder
the welfare of the community. 1t is also
urged that many temperance people are
opposed to it. But unfortunately temper
ance sentiments are not always a guarantee
of wisdom. There are many temperance
people whose sentiments we respect, but
whose ideas pueriie 1t is also true that
people who derive gain from liquor are OPP
posed to the law and we had the spectacle
of the liquor dealers and the Womans
Christian Temperance Union fighting side by
side to defeat the measure. 1t was thing
to make angels weep, unless they had so
strong a sense cf humor that they could
laugh. 1t is also objected that the system
is not adapted to our uses But 1t is the
principle we wish to apply, and the princi-
pie can be applied anywhere. Norway and
America are not so unlike but that they can
be applied here. 1t is absurd and cowardly
to say that cannot do it, AT the close
of his lecture DIR. Moxon gave a brief ques-
ton box, answering doubts and difficulties
in the practical application of the system
as they were suggested by his hearers.
The Chaplin Literary Society has challenged
the faculty of the School for Christian
Workers to debate the question, Resolved,
That the Norwegian liquor system deserves
the support of the Christian church"