The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-01-29
WORK FOR TEMPERANCE.

CAACVi4S ID tltS ttiliibsti iSPOih VI the Connecticut Temperance Union, made at the 3Sd meeting of the organi- zation at Memorial hall, Hartford, this week.
 The annual report of the union, show ing the work of the year, was in part as follows:
 The union's committee no legislation found that no radical changes could be made in the laws. A large number of bills was before the committee on temperance, but nearly all of them failed of passage. The secretary of the union was present at every public hear ing before the legislative committee, Others rendered valuable service, but the necessity for some one interested in temperance, thoroughly familiar with this work and at liberty to give it un- remitting attention, was demonstrated afresh. A number of bills in the inter- ests of the liquor traffic was not chal- lenged in the committee room save by the secetary and those whom he in- yited there.
 The only enactment of special value was that which places fermented cider when sold in no-license towns, less than five gallons at one time, under the ban as "spirituous and intoxicating liquors" An effort tofix the ratio of sa- looms to the population at one time seemed likely to carry, but it was de- feated, doubtless through the influence of those interested in the traffic.
 A bill was passed providing that ap- plicahons for druggists license shall be upon the same footing as to remon- strances, etc, as applications for saloon licenses. In copying, the act to which this was an amendment was so modified as to omit the clause providing for licenses of druggists in no-license towns. It is evident that it was not the intention of the legislature to make so radical a change and the question of the legality of permitting the sale of all cohol in no-license towns by druggists will have to be passed upon bx the courts
 The legislature of 1897 did very little that is likely to be helpful to the friends of temperance.
 As the time for the vote approached it became evident that the friends of license were making a strong fight, es- pecialIy using as an argument for li- CGIS6 lIldl dlGOuOllC AlCQlGtACn SOA1AA AAOS be sold in no-license towns. This plea and the influence that these people know so well how to use turned four teen towns from "no' to ives" Four became mo" and the towns now stand s2 for license and S6 against license. The signal victories of the Law and Order League by which violators of law paid severe penalties and in some cases were re1,,n,J ,,or;,1rnrr ysyara p11ni ch n1 and the decision of the United States district court was secured requiring government officers to give evidence re- garding the payment of United States tax by liquor dealers, gives encourag- ing assurance that law can be made effective against evil doers.
 A number of leading organizations united in call to the people to make Sunday, November 2S, a temperance day" throughout the state. The result was that a larger number took part in exercises directly in the interests of soNriety and good citizenship on that day than on any other previous day in the history of the state. Since that time there has been fresh earnestness arl securing names to the pledge of total abstinence and there is an evident ptr- pose to wrest victory from defeat in the next anti-license campaign.
 The work of the secretary has been continued, though not quite so vigor- ously as in some former years He has learned that there Is a limit to human energy and endurance, but the society will arrange that there shall be no dim- mutton of its public work.
 It may be asked what has been ac- conaplished by the Connecticut Temper ance Union during these thirty-three years. Not all that was anticipated, certainly, not all that has been desired. But has the labor of this and other temperance societies, or churches, and good people been in vain? In view ot the mighty destructive influences SC constantly at work we may rather ask what would have been the conditions If these agencies had not been equally tireless?
 To say the least, vast amount o1 mischief has been prevented. The laws are not what they ought to be, but they might have been worse if it had not been for the constant vigilance and activity of this organization, Year af- ter year its committee on Legislation has guarded the interests of sober citi- zens. Cases might be sighted in whicF the work of such 8 committeee during a single session of the legislature has been worth to the state more than al the union has cost in a third of cen tury. Being absolutely non-partisar and in touch with all classes it was able to accomplish what otherwise would not have been possible.
 If ever there existed a necessity fol such an organization as this itis now With more general cooperation on the part of the churches, societies, and in dividuals in arranging for public meet ings and in the distribution of it's htera. ture, the Connecticut Temperance Un ion would be far greater power fol good Has it not earned the right tc ask for such cooperation? With bet ter business conditions we may conf dently expect an increase of contribu lions and greater usefulness?
 THREE MEMBERS OF '97 DEAD,