The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-07
Hard Times and Temperance.


One of the notable effects of the hard
times which we have been going
through for several years past is to be
found in the reduced consumption of
intoxicatants. It is claimed by the
bicycle enthusiasts that the increas-
ing use of bicycles has conducted
largely to this result but the Ameri-
can Grocer says the "hard times have
contributed to a notable diminution
in the use of all kinds of beverages
particularly spirits" The Grocer
shows by figures that ''the consump-
ton of alcoholic stimulants has not
increased, while the. use of the milder
beverages has barely been steady"
The facts which lead up TO this con-
clusion are interesting. In 1892 and
1893 the consumption of spirits per
citizen was II gallons, of wine nearly
half a gallon, of beer Is gallons, while
in 1896 the average consumption of
spirits was but one gallon, OF wines
one quart and of beer Is gallons.
The American Grocer does not con-
slider that the increase of the whiskey
tax from 80 cents to $1.10 has had any
influence in reducing the consump-
ton of spirits. The official reports
show that our 1888, 900 people in
1896 consumed II, ,O51, ,sT gallons of
spirits, or no more than $3.50, 600
people consumed in 1887. As about
II, 100000 gallons of spirits are annu.
ally used in manufactures, according
to The Grocer, the quantity actually
used as beverage is about 60,000,0 900
gallons. Barrooms make sixty drinks
out of a gallon, and get at the lowest
calculation about $3.50 for it. The
nations whiskey bill in 1896 was,
therefore, $270, ,OO0,000, as against
$4OO, 100000 in 1893, when the con-
sumption was 101, 100000 gallons.
The government lost $14, 1000 Of reve-
nue. by the decreased consumption.
The drinking of beer has Increased
very largely in this country during
the past 20 years. The consumption
per citizen 20 years ago was but six
and a half gallons, as against fifteen
gallons in 1896. The total consump.
ton of beer in 1896 was 1850, 626, 165
gallons, on which the government re-
ceiyed revenue of $33, 139, ,141. The
aggregate amount of the national
beer bill is estimated at $541, 963, ,34S.
Wine is little used by our people. In
1887 we produced 27.706,0 900 gallons
and imported 4, 61S, 900 gallons, where
as in 1896 we produced but IA, 599, 900
gallons and imported 4, ,101, 900 gallons
"a large decrease. The nations bill
for wine in 1896 was $40, 730, 900. The
total cost of our alcoholic beverages in
that year the Grocer places at $780,
693, ,832, some 140,000.000 less than in
1892.
There has been a marked falling off
in the PER capita consumption of cof-
fee. In 1896 the people tits estimated,
drank 9S2,0sS,692 gallons of coffee,
made from 4S1, ,044,346 pounds of the
berrie7 and costing $12O, PSI, ,0S6. The
average consumption was 9.61 pounds
in 1892 and 8.04 pounds in 1896. Of
tea the consumption in the latter year
is placed at 466, 701, 900 gallons, made
from SO, $40. COO pounds of tea import
ed at a retail co5t of LII, ,4S2. Co.
Goa was imported to the extent Of
So. $50, 900 worth, much of which was
used for confectionery. The aggre.
gate drink bill of the nation, alcoholic
and non-alcohoic, is figured at ST.
016, 126, 900, Or $14:51 per citizen. The
American Or ocer is convinced that
prosperity increases the use of stimu-
Iating and intoxicating drinks as it
does of all other luXuries.
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