The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-02-03
REMEDYING AN EVIL.
Consumption of Liquor Under License
and No License Laws-Have Condt-
lions Improved With State Wide
Prohibition?

Raleigh State Democrat.
It is stated by some OF our ex-
changes that there was less drunken
ness during the holidays just closed
than had been in previous years. II
these statements are true, it IL vel
come news to every good citizen,
Drunkenness is a terrible blight upon
our social life, perpetual intolerance
to the accomplishment OF every good
purpose, and any evidence that IS
evidence, that the evil is growing
less. would be welcomed by every
good citizen. But to reach and pub
iish such conclusions, not based upon
facts, is not only an error III itself,
but it binders and tends to delay the
remedies, which, if properly applied,
would result in the betterment OF the
situation.
Now, as an act OF reasoning to-
gether, let us compare these state
ments with known facts, and see how
the matter looks. Only q few weeks
ago the Internal Revenue Commits
siOner submitted his annual report,
which went out to the papers OF the
country. He stated in that report
that more spirituous and vinous
liquors had been shipped into North
Carolina in the year 1909 than had
been during any previous year, and
that beer only had fallen short OF the
records of previous years. This can
be readily accounted for. Beer drink
ers prefer it on draught, and not be-
ing able to get it in this form, less OF
it is used.
The question arises, where did the
extra amount of WhiSkey 20 to? Ii
all the small towns at which there IS
nm express office would answer, the
matter, in our opinion, would he sat
isfactorilly explained. We answer for
our own town, for that is the only
place concerning which we have posi-
tive and definite knowledge.
From the goth of December to the
night Of the 25th, there was put off
at Wake Forest more than a thou
sand gallons of whiskey. We include
all intoxicants under this term, in
the absence of the Presidents detini-
ton of what whiskey is. If the same
is true Of other small towns, and we
do not see why it should not be, then
it is plain why Raleigh, and other
towns like it, did not have so much
to contend with-the only places it
ought to be handled while it remains
an article of legitimate commerce in
the State, and when it ceases to be
that, then they too can do away
with its presence.
The scattering OF a malady don't
cure it. The pest house is the place
for smallpox, where it can be safely
guarded and properly treated. So
city with a lookup, with a police
force and other facilities which tend
to safeguard the liquor business and
make the evil the least possible, is
where it ought to be handled. The
" people are going to see this soon.
The fact is, they see it now, and as
fast as opportunity appears they are
going to act upon their Judgment,
based upon common sense and bit
ter experience.
To note that the amount OF Whis-
key shipped into the cities and large
towns has been lesSened, and offer it
as evidence that the people are using
less of it, ignoring the fact that every
express office is filled from floor to
ceiling, that it is being sent to every
country store, and that large per-
cent. of the country homes have in
them anywhere from one to five gal
Ions, to expect people to believe such
statements is simply to expect a YER
dict when all the facts and circum-
stances oppose it.
Now, in conclusion, we ask why,
in the name of heaven, anybody
should want to 90 to Raleigh, or any
other news centre, to get drunk, sub
iect himself to publicity and to the
penalties of the law, when every ex-
press office is dispensary, and the
country store, the saWmill, the cot
ton gin and the home are standing
boards where whiskey can be had for
the asking? This is no exaggeratiOn
of the facts; and if anybody doubts
it, let him only take the trouble to
do so, and he may verify it to his
complete satisfaction.
LaGrippe pains that pervade the entire
system. LaGrippe coughs that rack and
strain. are quickly cured by Foley's Honey
and Tar Is mildly laxative. safe and GER
tain in results Sold by all Druggists.