New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-23

JOHN GRAHAM BROOKs'S LECTURES ON
THE SUBJECT FROM A NEW
POINT OF VIEW
HE MAKES VIGOROUS PLEA FOR THE scANDr-
NAVIAN sYsTEM-A RAINEs LAW. HE
DECLARES. ONLY CHANGES THE

DECLARES. ONLY CHANGES THE
FORM OF THE EVIL.
John Graham Brooks lectured yesterday morning
at the Berkeley Lyceum on Temperance Reform
from a New Point Of View" and made a vigorous
plea for the Scandinavian system. which he has
studied at first hand, having been sent to Scan
dnavIa by Governor Russell for that purpose
THE GREAT WEAKNESS.
The great weakness OF all the efforts that have
been made heretofore" said the lecturer. sis that
they have reckoned with the purely economic
element Of the question: until do that can
effect nothing Raines law only change the
form OF the evil and though It may seem to lessen
It for time it will before long break out afresh.
'The famous Dean OF Gothenhurg tried all the
various expedents that have been recommended by
temperance reformers but without success. and at
last he that none OF them touched the heart
OF the evil As long allow saloonl<eepcrs TO
make money out of the traffic he argued they will
defeat us.
HIS idea ridiculed by all classes OF people.
but he had influence enough to the
sary legislation. and a company formed which
was TO have monopoly OF the traffic In small
town. such town to be one which had decided to
have liquor sold IN rs midst: each community
possesses the right OF local option.
The company decided how many saloons the
town needed and removed from them everything
that would tend to make people linger there and
drink There are no pictures In Scandinavian
loon. and the only thing at all resembling that
ever saw was placard telling you TO get out
when you had had your drink Temperance drinks
and foods OF various kinds were supplied and
"hile the saoOnkeepers were not allowed TO make
anything Off the alcoholic drinks. they did have n
profit on the other things. This naturally had tho
effect OF making temperance cranks OF them all.
The profits on the liquors went TO the company.
ana were used TO maintain pleasant and elevating
places OF public resort. This feature OF the scheme
has caused great cutlery blood money but
those who say this should recollect that under
present system the money goes 10 support an elab
crate machinery Of organized vice OF which the sa
loon Is tho centre.
SCHEME THAT WORKED.
As soon rs the scheme began 10 work the
iluor-doalers formed themselves into an organiza-
ton 10 oppose II. and then began one OF the long
est. bitterest. deadest fights that has ever been
known I'm history. They spent immense sums OF
money corrupted the press sent lying literature
all over Eurone. and tried in every way to dis
Carolina and at last they hopeessly beaten.
The plan has since been tried successfully in
supported bv Gladstone and iirige Thomas
Hughes. the author Of Tom Brown. is working
one of the dettheaded politicaDs that ever
lived, has said that he would give five years OF his
sion is strong one"if he could i'd give the Scheme
4 fair trial in that country. Even in South Caro-
tages II Is said TO be doing n magnificent work
and one OF It's enemies. in recent article in The
tack upon It: 1T be admitted that drunken
ness Is decreasing"
WOMANS PART
Mr. Brooks thinks that the part women are tax
ing in the attempt 10 check this evil will prove
test Of their capacity 10 participate In political
affairs generally. He considers that they az
hcted more thar men with an abstract passion to
get the whole or nothing. and a pitlless contempt
for those who suggest that II is better 10 take
away half the mis"'y Of society. since the whole
cannot be- removed. than 10 DO nothing and that
in dealing with the liquor question they ought 20
cndeavOr 10 show that this passion IL so
strong = he dangerous.
Mr. Brooks lectureG in the afternoon the
Teachers College tine subject and will
continue II next Friday afternoon at the Berkeley
Lyccun.
Among those present Yesterday wore Mrs Lor-
lard Spencer. Mrs. Ben All Haggin. Or. s NJ. San
dcrs. Mrs Laura Day. Mrs. w. z. d. Scott. Miss
Anita Lawrence. Miss Bertha Runke and Mrs.
Borland