Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-24
THE CAUSE OF TEMPERANCE
sixty-Fourth Anniversary of the Con-
gressional Temperance Society.
Stirring Speeches by Well-k1pwn
Observation-Disclosures Taylor
and the Com ssiOners.

The venerable Congressional Temperance
Society celebrated its sixty-fourth anniver-
sary at the Metropolitan NJ. E. Church last
night. A large audience, embracing many
distinguished people interested in the cause
of temperance, was present. DIR. Hugh
Johnson opened the exercises with religions
services and a brief address. He said the
whole question of temperance in this coun-
try would soon be settled II every member
of Congress were to join the society. Con-
gresham Dingiey, president of the society,
made a short speech on the purpose of the
organization. and introduced Rev. F. D.
Power, the secretary. who read his annual
report. which reviewed the progress of tenn
perance in Congress and at the Capitol,
ard dwelt on the widening interest and eff
fort in behalf of abstinent habits and clean
speech and thought Among the societies
mentioned were the Sons of Temperance,
numbering G,52S: Good Tempars, 1858:
Templars of Honor and Temperance, 40
600; Catholic Total Abstinence Union, g.
?94; the Womans Christian Temperance
Union, 1S1.113; the Christian Endeavor, the
Epworth League and kindred societies of
over 100000. Mention was also made OF
the work of the Anti-Saloon League. In
regard to control of the sale of liquor in
Washington Mr.. Power said: NO more
liquor will be sold in the Division Bawdy
houses and lowest dives under the very
caves VI lHc Executive Mansion, Selling
the Vilest liquor to the most depraved
classes of humanity, scores of dens within
shot of the Presidents ducking gum where
night IS made hideous with the orgies of
the damned, have been a stencil In the
rostrils of the people long enough; and
heightened clubs, whose work. however
elegant, is no more wholesome. are to be
restricted" The report closed by quoting
the Presidents last Thanksgiving procla-
nation, which Mr.. Power commended for
Its encouraging utterance in the line of
temperance reform.
Congressman Dingley of Maine and john
con of North Dakota made brief addresses,
the former urging campaign of educa ton,
the latter telling of the effect of prohibition
laws in his state.
Bishop Newman, who was IN the audi
ence, was called on for speech, and made
ore. He said he was republican, and he
expected ere long the party would be sing
ing the psalm. 1.-THE Lord Reigneth and
Reigneth Forever More" He wanted the
republican party to put In it's platform the
plank: we, the republican party of the
United States of America, are prepared to
stand by prohibition whenever the Amer-
can people shall demand the same"
Ex-Congressman Pelham of Maine spoke
on the liquor law of Maine and how it had
worked, and ex-Congressman Taylor of
Ohio gave his ideas on practical liquor
law. He wanted liquor manufacturers and
dealers made responsible for the evils they
cause, just as corporati tons and contractors
are for accidents or deaths by criminal
negligence. He suggested the appointment
Of commission of three good men to de-
termine the expense the city of Washing
ten was put to by the saloons, with the
view of making the saloons pay their
share. But he said; I'VE want to get
three good Commissioners. wouldn't take
the three we have now; would have re-
spectacle men,"
President Dingley closed the meeting
with Few remarks on the practical opera
ton of the prohibition law in Maine. He
said the revenue license! issued by the
United States authorities was regarded as
prima facie evidence of the sale of liquor,
and by means of it the local authorities
knew where to look for violations Of the
state law.
With prayer by Rev. DR. Brown and the
singing OF the doxology, the meeting was
dismissed.