People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1898-08-12
The Liquor Traffck.

greatly reduced. The physical and
mental suffering and distress which it
brings, the disturbances, vice and
crime resulting from it's sale and use.
were very largely decreased; the homes
Of great number of people who are
poor or labor for a living were much
better paid, and greater number than
ever before in a similar period purchas-
ed homes and improved their condi-
ton.
The lettering of the condition of the
people, and the promotion of their hap
piness was not confined to the poor and
those who labor but many in better
circumstances, who, before prohibition,
patronized barrooms too freely, by the
influence OF prohibition had their
drinking habits improved, both by max
ing it more difficult to obtain liquor
especially by the drink, and the disin-
cliuation of most men to drink to ex-
cess at home.
But prohibition in this county has
been set aside for the present.
The most prominent and operative
cause of this was the belief or feeling
by many persons, having no self-inter-
est at stake, that liquors for legitimate
purposes-for medicinal and family use
and cases Of necessity TO be
within their reach. 1 believe it alto
Fether proba BILE that if some measure
wisely guarded, by which liquors for
such purposes could have been obtain
ed, had been incorporated into the To-
cal option law, the result of the last
election would have been different.
Since that election the amount Of
drunkenness, disorderly conduct and
crime, resulting from drinking, has
been far greater than was ever before
known in this county in SO short pc
riod.
A large majority of the people of this
county, whether prohibitionists or not,
freely acknowledge the great evils re-
sulting from the improper sale and use
of liquors; they differ only as to the
measures to prevent these evils.
One blames the man who drinks too
much. and fsvors Furnishing him for
his weakness and folly.
Another blames the dispenser OF
| liquors, who, knowing the drunkard's
| weakness, his morbid, uncomfortable
appetite, and thirst for liquor, as well
as the suffering it brings on others,
still sells to him: and proposes to pro
hibit the sale altogether, thus remov
ing the temptation and the opportunity
to use liquors improperly.
Others favor reducing to minimum
the number of places where liquors are
sold; combining the trade to q small
territory imposing high license or
tax on the trade, etc.
ali admit the evils, and are willing
to do whatever they think best calcu-
lated to prevent them, they differ only
SIS to methods.
Under such circumstances, cannot the
patriotic men of all sides, who have no
selfish or personal interests at stake,
come together and devise some proper
measure that will accomplish the end ?
Some law that good men will indorse,
by which liquors will be in easy reach
of all cases OF necessity, and their abuse
prevented? viii not patriotic men
lay aside their prejudices, preferences
and antagonisms, and make an earnest
effort to unite on some such measure
I very respectfully suggest measure
that will take entire control of the
trade in liquors by the county authori-
ties-our commissioners of roads and
reuenue-that will entirely prohibit
the sale of any liquors for any purpose,
by any person for individual profit or
gain, or on private account; but place
the handling or furnishing of it in the
hands of the public authorities, to be
dispensed for legitimate use to any
person needing it, under rules to be
prescribed by law, or by the orders of
such public authority, on public &C.
count; with guaranty that all liquors
SO furnished shall be of good and
wholesome quality and at price that
will cover cost and expenses and no
more.
l believe public opinion would readi-
ly centralize on such measure.
l am aware that there is constitu-
tional difficulty in the way Of county
thus taking the. charge suggested, or
of establishing dispensary under such
circumstances but the city of Atlanta
has that power; and the city authori-
ties by agreement with the county com
missioners could make it practically q
county measure; and if such measure
is deemed proper, it would pay to
amend the constitution giving the
county commissioners this power. The
legislation necessary to put such q
measure in force in any county in Geor-
gia could readily be had if public opin-
ion would indicate desire for it. It
might be so framed as to have the locsl
option feature; to be adopted and put
in force in any county by vote of the
people, through the ordinary, grand
jury, county commissioners or superior
court.
1t seems to me that the propriety of
giving this important subject is worth
considering,
The great evil of the trade in and use
OF liquors is the barroom. There
should be no place where men could
buy liquor and drink it there, Men
very seldom get drunk at home.
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