The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-01-24
GOOD rEMpLARs' COLUMN.
EDITED AND MANAGED UNDER THE AUSPICES
 OF FLAGSTAFF LODGE NO. 14. 10 O.


 OF FLAGSTAFF LODGE NO. H.. O 0. T
 Contributions of an appropriate nature arc ,olicited for this column. and should be ad- dressed to Box 12l. Flagstaff; all such con rbutions, however, arc subject to approval y the editors.
 Lodge meets every Friday evening at tho ', A. R. Hall. o'clock. Visiting members
 J. GUTHRIE SAVAGE, c. T.
 Il. R. DAVIS Secretary.
 The method of government control If the liquor traffic embraces several
 arictics of treatment. a description of which it is impossible to set forth in this artlcle without lucid discrimina- tion of the systems. That commonly known as the Norwegian, or Scandina- vian, or Gothenburg, is practically the source pattern of all others. The south Carolina or dispensary system to which the name of Governor Till man is attached is properly the only one of which the description, govern meat control" is al accurate represen- ,ation. The recspl agitation in Mas sachuSetts and other sections has been along tie line of tic Norwegian sys- tenn, with certain important elements added or discarded. Making. then, the Norwegian system inc basis, we desire succinct statement of its feat. ures and d summary of its merits and lefects With this in hand we can form an individual estimate and cham pion or oppose the method IS judg- ment and conscience shall determine.
 The Norwegian system is plan of To- cal control of the liquor traffic through the agency of commercial companies organized by reputable and patriotic ,',tiLens, who ren0unce all profits of the sales and receive merely nomin- al rate of interest on the amount of 'apilal privately invested. These To- cal concerns are Gonstrugted with the DrofeSsed purpose of controlling and 'estricting the traffic; and the elimina- ton of private gain and competition ior selfish aggraudizement Is the char, ,cteristic feature which works to this ronsummatio The company is con Iituted by licening commission who twlrd the grants and at the end of very three years the whole question $ submitted to the suffrage of the peo- vho may choose between local prohibit ion. individual licensing or the com pany system. Various restrictions are provided for in detail, to the end of e!evating, curtaiiing and abolishing evil associations and influences of the traffic Early week day and entire Sabbatl, closing are compulsory; all iquor must be tested and certified by chemical experts to insure pure and standard article; sales must be only for cash and the demoralizng associa- ton of the business with gambling and immortality are absolutely divorced rom these institutions. Such in out inc are the features of the Norwegian system.
 The South Carolina system is radi ally different. but is linked with this arlier plan, and possesses ono deter nInative feature in common. This is properly designated as state dispen- 'ary system, and Is truly n method of 'orernment control. Private liquor ellinS is abolished and dispensary is opened in each county not under local prohibition, and in the larger cities several of these institutions are pro yided. A state Goard of control com pose of officials of the commonwealth inclu ling the governor, constitutes the highest business authority, and this body appoints a state commissioner and the members of the county boards of control, all of whom are abstaIners from the use of iutoxicants. The com missioner purchases the liquors and the state chem st certities their purity They are then distributed to the diff ferent dispeusaries in packages vary ing from five gallons to one-half pint in size, and are sold at prices not to exceed fifty per cent. profit. Sales an only be made upon presentation of | form of request giving age and resi- fence of the purchaser, with the kind and quantity of liquor desired, and these certificates must be attested and filed.
 The cardinal principle of the system 'is tate proprietorship of the liquor raflir, and the object, or at least the practical working of the system, is state revenue. A monopoly engaged in liquor selling becomes thus part of the machinery of the government and the regulation and control of the sys- tenn is in the hands of office holders and political appointees. For the sake of brevity, we may here dismiss this system from our estimate. The features of political influence and con lamination, and of revenne as all ob- ct and outstanding feature of the system, condemn it in comparison with he Norwegian plan. Moreover, its provisions have been declared uucon- by the supreme court of the state and the plan has only been