New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-22
cHE GOTHENBURG SYSTEM
orropw OF PUBLIC HOUSES UNDER LII
crNs1NG OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
v,ooDs OF BRANDY AND BEER
Gothenburg. August D.

Cothenburg, August D.
..,. .rsst Swedish port. which has outs'r'ppeu
,..axho,n, IN commercial enterprise ca'''o'
10, ~ IN picturesque beauty or IN quai"'"e'
:. h.. a feet of three hundred steamships anu
,ou,ne craft In foreign trade. ana II Is p'e'..
CON, side TO side and from end 10 emu WIN
canals opening into spacious haroo'
NTH shippng 1t has neglected us scei'' "'
,..r,ages. but has made full use OF It's cor''''e.-
o,., onportunities. 1t is rich town. WIFI a'p'e
oontal for trade of worldwide conhec''o's'
I'm, II has few handsome streets no ih'e' Guns
churches, no fine architecture, ana Is "i."o
objects of interest for the entertainments Vi WV
tourist When the Museum, with us coieo"0n
of mixtures, marbles. plaster masks ana ha'ui"'
history specimens, has been seen, the "aNe"e'
e at a loss for occupation. This was not now
ovsr nv own experience. a kind frieho tooh
me for a long drive through the residentlai quar-
ter and the suburban parks, and enapieo HE "
study what is the chief glory OF Gothenpure-
.ha ucensing system which with some modifica-
,,ons has been adopted throughout Sweden ana
Norway.
There is no Scandinavian city with larger re-
sources Of wealth than Gothenburg. The mer-
chants and ship-owners who have made large
fortunes have built FOR themselves spiendid
mansions and they live luxuriously. The city Is
cirdled with parks. where they are accustomed
20 drive in elegant equpages after business
hours and when they entertain their friends
at dinner the wines and cigars are the costiiest
IN Europe Gothenburg has its old aristocracy
with exclusive pretensions and It's new rlch
with extravagant tastes: and between the"
there is a revel OF high living and luxurious
entertainment. The dinner parties are conspicu-
GUS for elegance Of appointment and costliness
The balls and dances given in these palatial
residences among the most sumptuous IN
Europe A lavish display is made of wealth in
social life. is natural in a rich town where
most Of the fortunes have been made in single
generation.
am not tempted to enlarge upon either the
commercial enterprise Of the town or the
princely hospitality of the merchants, since
neither theme would have the charm Of novelty
for American readers. But l hope to interest
them in the Gothenburg system, which was In
troduced thirty-two years ago as a practical
method Of restricting and controlling the liquor
trade and of promoting habits Of temperance
and thrift. The people Of this old Swedish town
are proud Of the distinction of having originated
d licensing system which has commanded the
attention of municipal administrators and So
faces light up with a fine glow of enthusiasm
when the first reference is made TO it by a
stranger. 1t is their real title to fame Com
merce has enriched the town. and enabled its
merchants 10 rival one another in luxurious liv-
ing and in habits of extravaganza: but the men
who have converted Gothenburg into a centre of
influence in the modern world are the founders
OF unique licensing system.
SALOONS WITHOUT PUBLICANs.
Through the courtesy Of Mr.. Boyesen. the cap
able American Consul. who has made an excel
lent reputation here for efficiency and high char
acter. l have been introduced at the Bolag. or
the headquarters of the local licensing company,
and have been conducted by an official guide
through the saloons. steam bakeries and reading
rooms which are now in operation here. The tour
was made in the middle of the day when working
people were breakfasting quietly in these pub
Nc-houses and eating places. and was enabled
az once TO grasp the central idea of the Gothen-
burg system. which Is protection against the
publican or bartender. II IS not method Of
stamping out the evils of intemperance by cur
failing private liberty. 1t aims TO protect those
who are in the habit Of frequenting saloons
against the ordinary influences and temptations
Of drinking places and 10 minimize the effect of
the liquor traffic The fundamental principle is
that neither the owner nor the manager of the
saloon shall have any pecmiary interest in the
sale Of intoxicating liquor.
The public houses which I visited with the
official guide were airy. clean and orderly eat
ing places. There was a central bar in the main
floor with kitchens behind. and upstairs there
were rooms with tables, where cheap meals
were served TO order The manager was at the
bar and he was salaried official of the Boag.
or licensing company. He had no interest what
ever In pushing the sale Of liquor at the bar or
in Increasing its consumption among customers.
The only source Of profit which he shared was
the sale OF mineral waters and mountaineering
drinks. The patrons Of the public house were al
lowed to order whatever they liked but they
were compelled 20 pay for their liquor over the
counter. all sales on credit or pledge being pro-
hbited. In order TO get their dram of brandy
or gin they had been forced TO enter eating
place. and when once there they were sur
rounded with safeguards against the abuse OF
strong drink. The liquor served was Of the best
quality Of It's kind and there no professional
publican behind the bar whose profit depended
on the quantity Of spirits consumed in the
saloon.
II is not the aim Of the Gothenburg system TO
subject the well-to-do classes with their clubs
cafes and restaurants. TO any restraint; nor is
II applied 10 beer gardens and saloons. 1t is
dram-shop system operating mainly for the
regulation OF the traffic in cheap native spirits
corresponding to brandy and gin. with Al per
cent Of alcohol This branvin is the principal in
toxicaing drink Of the country. Since 1861 It's
sale in Gothenburg has been controlled by a
limited liability company. which guarantees the
payment Of fixed sum TO the city for licensing.
and agrees to turn into the municipal treasury
all the profits OF the liquor traffic with the ex-
ception OF per cent After an experience OF
over thirty years the advocates OF the system
assert that the following results have been ac-
ccinplished:
RESULTS OF THE SYSTEM