Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1913-05-09
Bryan Always on Moral Side.

June bugs. Valley Virginian.
Bryan Always on Moral Side.
Editor Richmond Journal:
The action of Hon. w. j.
Bryan in refusing to sanction
and continue the mischievous
custom of serving intoxicating
liquors at State dinners is not
only creditable to the head and
heart of the great commoner,
but is in line with the best
thought of the day. 1t is no
longer considered fanatical or
weakly to discourage the drink
ing usages of society. Intoxi-
cants no longer constitute a sine
qua non of social function.
Drinking ones "health" became
too literal. History, science,
observation pointed to the safer
path. And one great secret of
the growing success of temper
ance reform and all other gen
uine reforms is the increased
and increasing recognition
among men that in a very high
and important sense they are
each his brothers keeper,
which results in less quibbling
over personal liberty" and
individual rights" and a great
er desire for the general social
welfare.
Appended is clipping from
the New York Herald of date
March 10, 1895, which pictures
a scene in our national capital
that was not only disgusting,
but distinct reflect ion on our
civilization. When one reads
this account of the drunken
revelry that signalized the clos
ing of a Congress | am sure he
will be impressed by the great
contrast of a sober administra-
ton as desired by w. j. Bryan,
and rejoice at the rapid progress
temperance reform is making.
1t was no fanatic who declared
that "wine is a mocker, strong
drink is raging. and whosoever
is deceived thereby is not wise"
w. NJ. BICKERS.
Richmond, Va, May /, 1913.
New York Herald, Monday, March
10, 1895.
Those curious students of
their kind who have attended a
New York French ball will be
able to grasp the situation and
will understand the picture
thrown upon the curtain Sunday
night at the Capitol. Women
there were galore lively women,
white and black; women who
would have looked better, per-
haps, in pink tights and impen-
etrable masks.
Among them, going and
coming, were the wives and
daughters of senators and the
wives and daughters of the
American nobility from the
various States of the Union.
Il saw an aged senator pass
into the private dining room
with two hilarious peaches"
on his arms, where a bottle of
champagne finished the business
possibly begun in a committee
room. At the same moment four
colored damsels sat in the public
portion of the restaurant, having
a good time on their own ac-
count. A boy not more than
fifteen lay sprawling on the
small of his back, too drunk to
rise, unheeded of the thronp
bent on their own amusement or
refreshment. -Four or five
attaches of the Senate were at
the next table, drinking hard
liquor and talking loudly sof
their extra pay. Two old men in
an advanced stage of inebrity
were plying a young girl with
llquor-a bright young girl of
not more than sixteen, who kept
them laughing with her wit and
humor. Two women whose call
ing was plainly indicated in
their faces were slipping beer in
the corner.
Zone member was borne away
struggling with his captor
friends = fighting drunk. A
private secretary playfully pulled
a distinguished members's beard
and poured beer down his neck
ON the outside. Some members
were in a state that emboldened
the proprietor to refuse them
any more liquor.
:" 1t is disgraceful,' exclaim-
ed Mr.. Murray to me, and it
makes me sick. But, you see, II
can't help myself. 1t is their
place and, confound them, Pm
their barkeeper for twelve
hours yet.
"uporinor CON oee, oo<1 lzI4