The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-20
THE ENGLISH BARNARD.

Great BTitain is somewhat aroused over
the threatened overthrow of one of its
conspicuous and altogether distinctive in
vigorous opposition for several exceed
ingly active decaTes.
A plan has been formulated by which II
is believed the barmaids of the inns and
public drinking places viii ultimately be
suppressed The movement already has
been started. It has not yet been set
going in London. where more than 1000
barmaids are regularly employed, but in
Glasgow active steps are now being taken
to suppress the comeIy maidens who dis
pense liquors to the townfoIk in the inns,
and the movement has gained such i'm
petus that Temperate workers are conf
dent that the issue viii be salty decided
in the near future
Supporters Of the temperance cause in
England for many years have chafed IN
Ger the CALLING thought that maids behind
the bars Of public drinking houses were
ia such common and almost universal
vogue IN England the temperance move
ment is almost If not quite as strong as
ii is in America. During the last few
years the barmaid has bean the cause OF
numerous skirmishes between the So
called liquor element and British blue
ribboners, yet she always has come out
Of each individual attack with little
more popularity added to her occupation.
and as far removed from suppression as
when the agitation began.
British innkeepers look upon the Iassfo
behind the bar as a stock in trade more
productive, in fact, than the liquors they
sell. for it is admitted that without her
much Of the patronage of the pnbIis
houses would melt away. The barmefd
is. in fact, great drawing card for the
public house. If she happens to be pref
ty, possessed of an attractive face and
bew1tching manners. she is a greater
drawing card than if nature had been less
liberal with her. but at any event she is
more valuable from the innkeeDers' point
OF view than barboys or men. and that is
why each attempt of temperance workers
TO Gust her has met with such vigorous
and concerted opposition
Now. however. It is believed by both
years of effort on the BARNARD question
is near at hand. The agitation recently
begun in Glasgow is regarded as the
opening skirmish Of a mighty struggle
that has been preparing for the last two
years between the temperance folk and
the liquor sellers of the United Kingdom.
If the movement succeeds in Scotland it
is considered altogether probable that it
may cross the Tweed and enveiop Eng
land as well.
In selecting Glasgow as the place in
which to launch the crusade against the
barmaid those composing the "anti' fac
ton did not act without displaying wis
dom and keen foresight. The Scots are a
strongly religious people, aud il is for
this reason that the bIue-Fibboners ex-
pect to create a sufficient amount OF we'll
directed sentiment to place their cause
on substantial and effective basis
There are IN Glasgow more than 200
barmaids, and it is believed when suff-
cicnt pressure is brought TO bear on the
innkeepers OF the city the desired con-
cessions can be obtained. However. the
crusaders are preparing to fight If educa-
ton and persuasive methods avail them
nothing. and the issue may be carried to
the highest court.
Great Britain is the only part of the
British Empire where the barmaid is an
institution There are hardly any in Ire
land and none in Australia. New Zealand.
Canada. or the Cape In England there
are about 40, 900 barmaids. while in Lon
don alone the number reaches 1890
Baltimore Sun.