The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-04-15
Hard Times and Temperance.

One OF the notable effects OF tne naro
times which we have been going
through for several years past is to b
found in the reduced consumption OF
intoxicatants. It is claimed b5 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 consrmp-
ton of alcoholic stimulants has not
increased, while the use OF the miider
beverages has barely been steady"
The facts which lead up 10 this con-
clusion are interesting. In 1899 and
1898 the consumption Of spirits per
citizen was II gallons, Of wine nearly
half a gallon, ofbeer Is gallons. while
in 1896 the average consumption Of
spirits was but one gallon, OF wines
one quart and of beer IL gallons.
The American Grocer does not con-
ader that the increase of the whisDey
tax from 80 cents to 81. 10 has had any
influence in reducing the consump-
ton OF spirits. The official reports
show that our 71,263,O 900 people ia
1896 consumed II C5l, ST gallons Of
spirits, or no more than $3.50, coo
people consumed in 1887. As about
II, ,OOO, 900 gallons of spirits are annu-
ally used in manufactures, according
to The Grocer, the quantity actually
used as beverage is about 6o.000, 900
gallons. Barrooms make sixty drinks
out of q gallon, and ge! at the lowest
calculation about $3.50 for it, The
nations whiskey bill in 1896 was
therefore, $27O,0o0,00O, as against
s4OO, 900, 900 in 1898 when the con-
sumption was 1O1 100000 gallons.
The government lost Sl4 900 Of reve-
nue. by the decreased consumption.
The drinking OF her has increased
very largely in this country during
the past 20 years. The consumption
per citizen 90 years ago was bat six
and half gallons, as against fifteen
gallons in 1896. The total consump.
ton OF beer in 1896 was 1,0S0, 626, 16S
gallons. on which the government re.
ceived revenue of $50, 1911 The
amount of the national
beer bill is estimated at $54l 963. 3.34S.
Wine is little used by our people. In
1887 We produced q 7O6, coo gallons
and imported 4, ,6ls, 900 gallons. where
as in 1896 we produced but IA. .599, 600
gallons and import d 4, 10l, 600 gallons
"a large decrease. The nations bill
for vii 9 in 1896 was $40, 7S0, 900. The
total cost of our alcoholic beverages In
that year the Grocer places at $751;
693, ,S32, some lao, ,O00.0 900 less than In
1899.
There has been a marked falling off
in the per capita consumption Of cof-
fee. In 1896 the people it is estimated,
drank 962, ,OSs. .692 gallons of coffee,
made from 481, ,044, 346 pounds of the
berries and costing $120, 261, ,0S6. The
average consumption was 9.61 pounds
in 1892 and S.O4 pounds in 1896 OF
tea the consumption in the latter yeGs
is placed at 466, ,7C1, 900 gallons, mkda
from SO, $40, 900 pounds of tea impcct'
ed at a retail cost of $31. ,482. Co
Goa was imported to the extent OF
50. $50, 900 worth, much OF which was
used for confectionery. The aggre..
gate drink bill of the nation, alcoholic
and non.alcoholic, is figured at ST.
DIG, Log, 900, or $14sS1 per citizen. The.
Grocer is convinced that
prosperity increases the use of astimu!
[ating and intoxicating drinks as 1t
does Of all other luxuries. :.