Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-07-16

MgsAr@gEES this has been made the subject OF a
nA ~HkI special inquiry, but there is mate
E8NY IIA rial for showing the growth of the
NNSdRT industry in ten years. There is
room for differences of opinion as to its economic
value To some it will be a depressing fact that
1876 establishments were engaged in this line OF
production, employing capital of more than S457,
900, 900 and turning out produce valued at $840 600
900. Their feelings will not be greatly mitigated by
knowing that it gave employment to s, 1853 salared
persons to whom S14 391 644 was paid, and "A, All
workmen, who received $2S, ,O05, 4S4 in wages. The
cost OF materials was something over $40 500, 900,
and miscellaneous expense amounted to over S1S3,
600, 900.
There Is no doubt about this being a productive
industry and most of its output is for direct con-
sumption, though some may regard the cOnsump-
tOn destructive OF industrial forces rather than
helpful to them. No account is taken of the capital
and labor engaged in trading in the product after it
is made the money spent for it in excess of what
is set down as its 'vaue" at the liquor factories
Some comfort may be found in the fact that the
increase in ten years was almost wholly in malt
liquors and that there was an actual decrease in the
production OF distilled liquors. OF the $457 000 900
of capital $415, 100000 was employed in making
malt liquors and only S32 0OO, 900 in distilled, and
less than $10 OO0 900 in Wines OF the $40 000 900
worth OF product S237 900, 900 of malt liquors,
$685. 900 distilled and less than g. 000 900 vinous
While the capital employed in making ale, beer and
porter increased in ten years from 1892 600 900 to
$415 0OO 900 and the value of the product advanced
from S1S2, 600 to S237 OOO 900 and there was
considerable increase in the production Of wines,
there was a dminutiOn of capital in the distlling
business from $32 551 604 to $31 006 176 and of the
value of the product from S104 1877 869 to $685. 79S
443. Considering the increase in population there
is some encouragement in this for whatever may be
thought of the consumption of Intoxicating liquors
in general there is doubt that the worst results
annoa froV,n fho e winI-n
While the figures show an increase in consumption
which fairly keeps pace with that in population it
is wholly in the lighter beverages and that probably
indicates wider use of them among people in gen.
eral rather than larger by the individuals
or classes Per capita here signifies the average
for all, including those who drink little at
all, and even although it increased it might indicate
spread Of moderate indulgence with lessening
OF excess Whether can be derived from statistics
or not, it is und0ubted fact asceTtaned from ex.
perience and observation that there is year by year
perceptible diminutiOn in the habit of excessive
drinking and of the consequences that flow from it.
Whether under any circumstances the industry Of
manufacturing intoxicating liquors is that it is
desirable to see In fOurishing and growing cOnd-
tiOn is question upon which economists and social
reiOrmers likely to differ though moralists will
be found medstly on one side.
There is a very general feeling of regret that the
white house is to be remOdelled As it stands it is
beautiful structure and il is very doubtful whether
the improvements" of it that have been provided
for will really deserve the name. The historic asso-
Citations that cluster about this home of so many of
presidents give it a value which no construction
ever could have bestowed upon it. 1t is true that
the white house is only to be enlarged, decorated
and refurnished," as the authors and apOlogsts Of
this icOnOclastC enterprise put it, but when their
work has been completed we shall know the old
white house no more. They are going to spend
S540,OOO on the job and much better use could be
found for it. It is undeniabe that the president
should not be left to the necessity of combining his
residence and his Office. There is by no means
enough room in the white house for such an ar
rangement and for many the presidents home
and his workshop should be kept separate and
some distance apart a mile at least, But the
present Objectionable combination is to be continued
though on grander and more permanent scale
The historical identity of the white house is to be
destroyed end the prospect or privacy for the oc-
cupant Of the presidency and his family is to be re-
moved for an indefinite time to come. The money
to be used upon additions to the white house should
have been set apartiOr building an executive Office