The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-01-19
SAYS PROHIBITION
DECREASES CRIME
Remarkable Document Written by
Russian Governor Peasants
Savings Increase.

Mitchell, S. d., Jan. 1.-THE New
Republic. Of which the South Dakota
edition is TO be the official organ OF
the state prohibition campaign, is in
receipt of a letter from M. ~Islavin,
governor Of Noygorod, Russia, which
is a wonderful document in that it
sets forth the benefits OF prohibition
in the cars empire. The letter fol
lows, the translation being by Leo
Pasvolsky.
Dear sir:-It gives me great pleas
IRE TO DO what you request OF me In
our letter OF Aug. 20, 1915. which
"a received by me on Sept. % COct.
50, concerning the prohibition Of the
sale of wine and other alcoholic
drinks within the bounds Of the gov
eminent, entrusted to me by the EN-
peror, which prohibition went into eff
feet by the order Of his imperial
majesty. | shall answer your ques-
lions In the order In which they were
put TO me-.
Free sale of beer, wine and other
alcoholic drinks has been prohibited
in the government OF Novgorod since
July. 1914.
The only exception to this is that
private individuals and institutions
are permitted to purchase VINE, es-
p%ecially grape wine, for medicinal
purposes, but such sale is allowed
only by special permit from me, or
from chiefs Of police, issued in each
particular case in writing and only
upon presentation of physicians pre-
scriptions, certifying that the wine is
really needed as medicine.
do not think that | shall be far
from truth II say that with the pro
hibition Of the sale Of alcoholic drinks
the amount Of crime has decreased by
tw~o-thirds, or even th~ree-fourths, Of
the total number Of crimes.
As for the question OF the possibil
ity Of substituting other revenues in
the place OF those formerly derived
from the alcohol monopoly, | can
scarcely say anything definite. since
the question concerns the whole coun.
try. and not any particular locality,
Still, ! am Of the opinion that this Is
perfectly possible and is merely a
question Of time. Even at the pres
ent time the government has already
taken steps towards the m%onopoli2a
ton Of uRar. tea, matches, etc.
The prohibition of the sale of alec.
holic drinks has had a very beneficent
influence upon the general public or.
Iar ~~A unkrfoAy 1naAnn Nha manila
Drunkenness has decreased TO a mini
mum and intoxicated persons are
seen very seldom. or course, one can-
not deny that persons addicted to al.
coholism continue 10 satisfy their
craving for liquor with different sub
stances containing alcohol.
Finally, must frankly admit that
before the prohibition Of the sale OF
alcoholic drinks, drunkenness con
sumed all Swings, which have now
increased very considerably, despite
the war.
/ consider il my pleasant duty to
inform you. in the name of my coun-
trymen, that Russia does not doubt
the good feelings toward her on the
part OF American citizens, in this pc
riod OF dreadful adversely. She firm.
~ trusts that, with the aid of God, she
and her glorious allies will triumph
over the foe.
Permit me to express my feelings
OF deepest regard.
(Signed) NJ. ISLAVTN
To Mr.. William T.. Johnson,
Editor The New Republic.
No. 112SS.
Oct. 29 NOV. ID, 1915.