The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-12-07
The Outlook for Temperance.

Following is a brief resume of an ad
dress by Rev. Howard A. Markley, pas
tor of the Universslist Church, delivered
Sunday, Nov. 25:
Some say the outlook for temperance
is dark. They point to the decline of
prohibition and the increasing consump-
ton of liquor, A very discouraging
feature is the saloon power in politics.
Because of its money, its persistence,
and its single devotion to business the
liquor interest often holds the balance of
power and hinders the passage or execu
ton of stringent laws, or the nomination
and election of dangerous" officials.
In more ways than one the liquor power
in Massachusetts and the u. ). affects
our problem in Maine. Two other seri-
Gus obstacles may be mentioned--the in
difference of many and bigotry of others.
Some have no interest because the evil
of intemperance has not touched them or
their family. They have no sympathy
for the man who fails to master his ap-
petite. Others have great sympathy for
the ,drunkard, but none at all for those
who cannot agree with them as to legal
remedies.
Looking carefully at all the facts 1t
seems that the outlook is really bright
one. Liquor used to be sold like
II oceries, and it is said that three quar-.
tiers of the farms of Massachusetts were
sold for rum debts. Every raising, in
Guiding churches, was the occasion for
drinking and drunkenness. Lyman
Beecher spoke, and In two decades the
New Eng land clergy became abstainers.
John b. Cough found the reform in
school houses and took 1t into the
churches, while Frances Willard took it
into the home. Forty seven great trunk
railroads discriminate against men who
drink. A late government report shows
similar action by over fifty per cent of
employers Of skilled labor, and seventy
five per cent of those who employ labor
in general.
True the per capita consumption of
liquors has increased from l-6 gal. In
1910 to II gal. 10 1898. But this is beer,
not whiskey, and even beer drinking is
hardly holding its own the last five
wears. Distilled liquors have dropped
from u gal. per capita in 1910 to l l 10
gal. in 1898. Statistics of production
tell the same story. Since 1893 it ap-
pears that the annual drink bill is less,
the production of distilled liquors has
greatly fallen and of malt liquors has
not increased.
AS to liquor laws and their enforce
ment. 1t is true only States and ter
ritories are under prohibitory laws while
- have simple low license, and 8 high
license. But "a States and l territory
have local option law, by which the
county, town or city may vote to Danish
the saloon from its territory. Under
this provision effective local prohibition
exists In the States as follows:
Massachusetts, "more towns than ever
before. Connecticut, the same. Mary
land, tout of twentythree counties,
nine are dry. Georgia, 80 per cent of
its territory. Illinois, one-half of towns
voting on the matter went dry. Indiana,
more dry" towns every year. Ohio,
one-third Of its territory and $50 towns,
with more coming. Mississippi, "the
champion, local option State only II
wet counties, and IN these but few SIT
looms. 7S per cent of State population
under prohibition. And from States
with high and low license, local option
and prohibition, came reports of agita
ton, progress and a campaign Of law
enforcement.
1t scarcely needs to be said that the
people are interested. The careful in
vestigations made and making into the
various aspects Of the problem are meet
ing public demand for Information.
Americans are thinking, and they'll
solve the problem as wisely as their
fathers solved the great problems that
fell TO them.