The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-02-11

cheney, and takes up the relation o.
alcohol TO disease.
In one community in Kentucky
two men were killed and two other.
were shot on election day last Au-
gust, all the men implicated being
under the influence OF liquor. wa:
almost witness last summer 10 q
terrible tragedy where two mer
were shot and killed by a desperate
ex-bootlegger. Had the desperate
and the other two men with him MOI
been drinking the tragedy would
never have occurred.
During the decade ending in 1887
il was discovered that 2l,39S crimes
were committed in Denmark, 1874
or 7i-2 per cent Of them being due
TO alcohol.
During the year ending in August
1905, 26,672 crimes were committed
and recorded in the state of Massa-
chusetts. Upon investigation it was
discovered that 1855 OF these
crimes were drunkenness only, and
that 657 others were committed
while the men implicated were
drinking. In the last number there
were other crimes besides mere
drunkenness. S,4A0 Of the men were
sentenced for other crimes than
drunkenness, but it was noticed that
43 per cent of these committed their
crimes in a greater or less degree OF
intoxication.
In an investigation by one physi-
clan it was learned that OF 200 men
convicted OF murder, i5S were ad-
dicted to the use Of alcohol, and 60
per cent Of these 200 murders were
due TO the influence OF alcohol only.
In another investigation by the same
physician that included 500 crimes
OF less serious character, it was
discovered that 90 per cent were at
tributed directly TO the effects Of a.
cohol.
The Pennsylvania Sabbath School
Association publishes a chart on
which some interesting data 10
found. II is a study Of crime in
five Massachusetts, towns-Brockton,
Taunton, Chelsea, Salem. Fitchburg.
The study is made Of each town for
two consecutive years during one Of
which license law was in effect al
lowing the sale OF liquors, during
the other there was no license law
in force. II is interesting TO note
that the number of arrests made in
these towns during the years when
the license laws we're in effect were
as follows: In Brockton, 1927; in
Taunton. 1902; in Chelsea, 1916; in
Salem, 1882; in Fitohburg, ii60. II
is equally interesting to note that
the number of arrests made during
the years when there were no IL
cense laws in effect were as follows:
In BrocktOn, ass; in Taunton, 4S2; in
Chelsea. 396; in Salem. 500; in Fitch
burg, $50.
These figures speak for them
selves. No arguments whatever are
needed TO convince the man with an
open mind that the presence OF in
toxicating liquors means many
crimes and the absence OF drinks
means fewer crimes. A few years
ago there were about i400 inmates
in the state penitentiary at Frank
fort, Ky. Something like 80 per |
cent OF these inmates were in prison |
for crimes committed while the
criminals we're under the influence
OF alcohol. or for crimes that would |
not have been committed il those |
committing them could moi at any
previous time have had access TO al
cohol. II seems only reasonable that
the state could we'll afford 10 do
away with the source OF so many
crimes rather than perpetuate the
cause by law and then tax the pe0-
pie TO take care OF the criminals
that the liquor business produces.
But there is an inclination in
many government quarters TO make
a business pay for itself and little
extra besides. The liquor business
pays a heavy revenue in dollars and
cents, but it does not pay one par
Licle OF revenue in terms OF man
hood, womanbood, purity, love Of
home and Preside, maidenly virtue,
self-respect, and other things that
make life most worth while. II de-
stroys everyone OF these precious
Lhings-but IL pays a revenue in
dollars! II is a splendid and useful
beast OF burden upon which TO strap
some Of the burdens OF taxation. II
is a great and prosperous business.
II helps TO pay the salaries Of thou
sands OF government inspectors.
saugers, revenue officers, district
Judges. etc. almost none OF whom
would be needed il the business it.
self did not exist. Besides this Il
helps TO pay the salaries OF state Of