The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-29
ANT|.SA[OON LEAGUE
HOLDS ANNUAL NEE TING
Interesting Address Made by the
President --ImpOrtantRepOrtS Pre-
Sented-- Change of NameFavored

goods for sale IN the big cash stores and
ularkets Of our cities is assuming for his
product place alongside the respectable
and necessary commodities or life The
sequel 10 this assumption is seen I'm the
liquors that are delivered TO some or the
best families Ia our cities. and in the free
dom with which wine. beer and other inv
ioNicants are served at our most respecta-
ble catering places aud hotels.
HOME CONSUMPTION
There is steady advance I'm this prac-
tice OF home consumption and social
drinking and growing opinion that such
drinking is eminently proper and respect
able. IL would seem as though the doc
triue of total Sbstainance was losing it's
hold upon the people and must either be
re-emphasized or restated
Furthermore. there l. "A large class OF
influential men who today are standing
aloof from the temperance question. they
are not ready to say with "A certain re-
cent speaker that prohibition Is an i'm
pudent fraud." but they have seen the
enort To overthrow the saloon evil by a
political party failure and are coming
ture Of the case prohibition legisla tion
must necessarily be inefficient.
Nor are these people ready 10 accept
the physiological doctrine that alcohol IL
always harmful or the ethical doctrine
that it's use is always sinful This body
OF men. not satisfied with present tenn
perance effort, and uncertain in mind con-
corning grave questions involved. cannot
see their way clear 10 give vigorous at
tention and liberal means To the temper
ance cause
But without the support OF this large
and Influential class of men the temper
ance cause cannot hope for success The
work or temperance reform. therefore.
must assume such strength and dignity,
must by It's doctrines and methods so COM
mend itself to the Judgment OF those
citizens that the weight OF their Influence
shall be retained for the cause.
But all phases OF the problem are being
discussed today as never before and by
some OF the ablest minds of the country.
The physiological effect OF alcohol being
determined by more elaborate and accu-
rate experiments. the legal and ethical
status OF the drunkard IL demanding a
new considerable II the drunkard a
sinner or \ man slnned sgainst2 Is he or
the saloon responsible under the law for
the commission OF crime? Just what Is
the saloon and why does II exist? II
"a an institution essentially wrong, or is
it a prostitution of that which n mans
social nature rightly Graves. relaxation,
fellowship. amusement And II II be THIS.
will II not be more easy. more nationally.
more surely done away with by the law
OF substitution. by the constructive. rath-
er than by the destructive method?
THE END is NOT YET.
The end is not vet But in proportion
as the temperance question is lifted ont
of mere reform movement or simple
legal or prohihtory restraint and becomes
part of tbs great social question or the
dav. In 80 far the end Is nearer And
no one IL seems TO me. reading the
signs OF the time. can fail TO see that We
perance movement The broad and thor
ough discussion OF the problem today
means I'm the near future the crvstalli-
yation Of conviction and ludgment mo ,s,
OF influential men can stand. That that
opinion will differ from the ordinary view
of the temperance agitator. reformer and
be no man dare prophesy. In the mean
time the hour calls for vigilance and
work Let W
"The battle ne'er give DER.
Renew II boldly every day
And help Divine implore.
sEcRETARY's REPORT.
Following the addres by Mr. Coultss
Rev Willard G. selleck. pastor of the
church OF the Mediator and secretary of
the league presented his report, which
gave a most comprehensive idea OF the
present condition Of the work OF the
league.
Among the important matters which
have received attention by the league
during the past year Mr. Selleck men
toned the beginning Of an attempt TO
federate the various reformatory and
agencies Of the city of
Providence with a view 10 more extensive
and efficient cooperation.
"The time is ripening Tor a closer union
of the moral forces of our community"
he said "and the Auti-snloou league
seeks 10 promote this object, and halls
with satisfaction the formation Of the
federation or churches as an ally iu the
some wise advance. while u likewise re-
foices in the fact that the Watch aud
Ward society is Joining hands with II In
n most practical why
ConUnung Mr. Sereck dwelt upon the
reasons FOR The proposed change of name
NJ TN league and in closing referred To-
the police commission in NO uncertain
tone as follows.
Again. the establishment OF a police
for The city of Providence
having entire control of the licenses FOR
the sale of Huuor with full power to gov
ern the police force. has been am event ~
such Importance to fhc interests of tenn
perance and affects so directly ynd large
lv The work 81 THIS ieurue mat 20 de-
serves some notice at our hands
THE POLICE COMMISSION
while opinions may diner as to the
motive aud manner ~ creating this COM
mission, and while ii ~ certain that some
Of our strongest members condemn on
principle The overriding OF the rights of
The municipality ln thc slate. there can
scarcely BE- two opinions about the work
which ths police COMMISSION has thus far
performed
More has been done in less than two
months 90 stop laW-bresking on the part
~ saloon keepers and brewers. aud 20
preserve order and public decencv in
connection With The nuuor trsnic. than
our Organization could have done in ten
years. for this We are grateful. and in-
nsmuch 90 the police commissioners are