The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-01-24

i"S'"uOd iu tuo pibNiSiVuS Ol tIc measure, thus differing from the Nor wegian system, which does not include beer and other matted liquors.
 With these facts stated we n,w in- quire what arc the merits which tho systems of government control pi eseut and what arethe particular advantages claimed Notably, the following:
 1st. The plan is built on rational and scientific grounds and is not vio- lent summary proceeding, as absolute state or national prohibition.
 2nd. The abolishing of fine motive of private and personal profit strikes at the root of the aggressive and inhu- man spirit with which the nefarious liquor traffic is now carried on.
 3rd. The business is respectfully and decently conducted. g The saloon is abolished.
 4th. The whole question is divorced from politics and is made social and economic concern.
 5th. The various evil attachments and corruptions of the liqnor business as now conducted are eflect,ially oblii- erated, as misunderstanding, drink ing on the premises, carousing, lewd- ness, profanity and gambling.
 These claims are strong and varied, and to all ia added the assurance of ex- perience, for testimony Is advanced from the actual workings of the sys- tenn in Norway tD subsli D fate these claims.
 On tho contrary, objections of con siderable weight are apparent, in con- sidtrJtion of which close thought nut be candidly applied in order to obtain a fair and balanced estimate. The following defects of the Norwegian may be pilcd as demspdipg this honest attention.
 lst The whole plan Is comprom- ise with an acknowledged evil. The me bod is ole of temporizing. (Those who see weight in this objection look with suspicion upon the enthusiastic advocates of the system, who in reply thrust the terms ''iutractible," "pre- conceived notions" "bigots," etc, at earnest tempsrappe workers who are not in accard with their plansl.
 2nd. The discrimination between spipituous and malt liquors is mon strous defect. As a matter of fact the consumption of beer in Sweden has nearly doubled (i to 8.05 gal. DOT cap since the system has been in operation. This quite vitiates the claim in support of the system that the consumption of spirituous liquors has been halved in the same period.
 3rd. The system is foreign con Struction and the burden of proof of it's adaptability to our land rests with its advocates. Several features appear to make it uufeasible for the conditions existing in our country, notably the corruption of our present day politics, and tho difficulty of preserving the system from corruption and partisan control.
 4th. Total abstainers and temper ance workers will be 10th to become stockholders, and to ally themselves with the liquor traffic even in this form.
 Finally as an individual estimate the writer would advance these conclu- sions as the judgment of his mind and dictation of his conscience. Any sys- tenn of government control or author ized continuation of tho liquor traffic should be applied only where local pro hibition has failed of adoption. The initiative and the responsibility should be with the municipal unit. and no system of control should interfere with or arrest prohibi,ive sentiment aud en- action. Woe unto our land if we allow the secret enemies of the great cause of temperance to win back from us the ground already gained, or by false methods to lead us into defeating our own aims. Temperance advocates must think clearly and powerfully be- fore deciding for or against the systems of government control of the liquor traffic.
 If then the municipal unit in a given locality is not prepared for local pro hibition l believe the principles of inc Norwegian system have strong claims fo, trial. The Massachusetts agitation las introduced features of improvement and the second and third objections named above, seem to be on the way to removal. All intoxicating liquors, spurious and malt, must certainly be included in the provisions.
 With these objections removed and the system strengthened and the whole plan advocated as truly patriotic and benevolent measure, I believe the strength of the true temperance senti- ment woull rally to it's support. Con meeting 1t with the local prollihlory agitation and enactment as We have before mentioned. then as has been we'll said by an enthusiastic friend of these measures, sour gun is double, barreled. If not tie first barrel then the second will do the main part of the business"
 Le tus be sure tO shoot the right bar rel first. and if it hangs fire or fails to end the liquor traffic, 1 believe the sec Ond barrel will be of avail. If an American adoption and improvement of the Norwegian system can succeed in abDlishiDp ,sthp salnnni' and in Ja