The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-04-07
Hard Times and Temp srance.

Ole or the OOL2OIS euSctS u lNe IafC
times which we have been going
through for several years past is to be
found in the reduced consumption OF
intoxicatants. I, 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 6iminu-;
in the use OF all kinds OF beverages
particularly spirits" The Grocer
shows by figures that the consump-
ton OF alcoholic stinulants has not
increased, while the use OF the milder
beverages has barely been steady"
The facts which lead up 10 this con-
clusion are interesting. In 1892 and
1898 the consumption OF spirits per
citizen was II gallons. of wine nearly
half 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-
s.der that the increase of the whiskey
tax from 80 cents to S1.10 has had any
influence in reducing the consump
ton OF spirits. The official reports
show that our II, 1863, 900 people in
1896 consumed II, ,051. SIT gallons of
spirits, or no more than IS, $50, 600
people consumed in 1887. AS about
II, 900, 600 gallons of spirits are annu-
ally used in manufactures, according
to The Grocer, the quantity actually
used as a beverage is about 100000
gallons. Barrooms make sixty drinks
out OF s gallon, and get at the lowest
calculation about $3.50 for it. The
nations whiskey bill in 1896 was,
therefore, 100000, as against
S40O, 900, 900 in 1898, when the con-
sumption was lO1, 100000 gallons.
The government lost 81, 900 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 % years ago was but six
and a half gallons, as against fifteen
gallons in 1896. The total consunp-
ton OF beer n 1896 was 1,CS0, 626, 165
gallons. on which the government re.
ceived q revenue of. S33, 139, ,141. The
aggregate amount OF the national
beer bill is estimated at $541, 963, 34S.
Wine is little used by our people. In
1857 we produced 27.706,000 gallons
and imported ( 6iS,0 900 gallons, where
as 10 1896 we produced but Il, 599, 900
gallons and imported I, 10I, 600 gallons
"a large decrease. The nations bill
for vie in 1896 was S49, $780, 900. The
total cost of our alcoholic beverages N
that year the Grocer places at 1851,
593, ,S32, some 10, 100000 less than IN
1892.
There has been a marked falling of
in the per capita consumption OF cot
fee. In 1896 the peopleiGiS estimated,
drank 963, ,0SS,69 gallons CT coffee,
made from 4S1, ,044,346 pounds of the
berries and costing S120. .26I, ,0S6. The
average consumption was 9.6I pounds
n 1892 and S.04 pounds in 1895. OF
Tea the consumption in the latter year
is placed at 466. 70l, 900 gallons, made
from %, $40, 600 pounds OF tea import
ed at retail cost OF S5I.I7I,4 4S2. Co.
Goa Was Imported 10 tie extent OF
g. go 800 worth, much OF when was
; used foc confectionery. The aggre-
gate drink Dill Of the nation, alcoholic
aud non alcoholic, IS figured st Sl.-
| 016, i25 coo, or >l43I per citizen The
| American Grocer IS convinced that
prosperity inc-e2s the use Of stimu-
la.ing snd intoxicating drinhs as It
does Of all otter luXuries.