The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-10
BONE DRY IN 1777
CONGRESS ADVISED
STOP GRAIN WASTE"
Forcfa,hcrs I'm Continental Congress
Years Ago Didn't Mincc Words
of the Boosc Question.
BEER HAD NOT FOUND kMEH1C.
Senator Myers. OF Montana Uses Text
of Resolution for Setting Up Strong
Appeal for Quick Action on Liquor
Problem.

or the United States on the IOou toH-
servation measure. Senator H l.
Myers, OF Montana, rendered the
cause OF conservation and of temper
ance great service by calling atten-
ton to the action of the continental
congress in anticipating. by nearly a
century and a half the adoption of
prohibitory legislation similar to that
which has occupied the attention of
the present congress. Because OF the
importance OF the subject as viewed
by the patriots OF that early day, and
/ the able setting given the congress
sional resolution by Senator Myers,
we print part of his speech in con-
nection Herewith, as delivered in the
senate. July 10. 1917:
Mr.. President, lest we forget /
arise to recall to our minds resolu-
ton that was passed by the continent
tai congress on the 9th day of Feb
ruary. l777. Indeed. judging from
the votes that were cast in this cham
Der on the seventh day OF this month
fear that 1t had slipped the minds
OF many of us.
1T will come as a distinct surprise
to some congressman that the ques-
ton of fod conservation, which we
have hitherto prided ourselves upon
as the very most recent invention,
demanded attention In 1911. And 1t
will certainly startle some to be re-
minded that In that connection the
congress went it's limit, without pre-
sidental Interference or correspond
, ence with the Anti-Saloon league, for
bone-dry conservation of foodstuHs
Bone Dry in 1871.
Resolved: That 1t be recommend
: ed to the several legislatures of the
United States, imm ediately to pass
: laws the most effectuai for putting
an mmediate stop to the pernicious
practice of distilling grain. by which
. the most extensive evils are likely to
be derived. II nit quickly prevented
That was passed 140 years ago.
: Nobody had ever seen kerosene
lamp, or a cook stove, or steam
boat. or a locomotive. or postage
stamp. or dreamed OF a telephone,
automobile. flying machine or sub
marine. Those were slow and dreamy
. days. But congress passed a more
sensible and more effective conserva-
ton bill twithin it's limitations) In
Ave minutes than this senate living
IA in these DAYS of enlightened progress
has been able TO pass in five weeks.
And incidentally, to the boundaries
Of its limitations, 1t passed more
statesmanlike hone-dry law than this
senate seems to be willing to enact
But they had some distinct ad
ton of the constitution, and before
F.; the unconstitutional ghost was stalk
/. ed at every legislative feast And
. they had some disadvantages-unf FOR
tunately they could not enact any
law binding upon anybody. and their
resolution met. In the legislatures
s. the fate that great things often NEE,
- tsfha> 5rssads vi. small -saen. s.a* -t. --
Beer Had Not Discovered America
!. Some critic may urge that the
; measure was not bone-dry since II
l. did not mention brewing. AT tina,
date beer had not discovered America
The government has no record of the
beer industry prior to -S4O-Sixty.
e three years after the adoption of thi,
: resolution-and then the per capita
S consumption was but l.36 gallons. o,
les sthan one-twelfth, the per capita
: consumption OF last year.
:. Ccar-Visioncd Men.
> This was the urgent and heart
felt appeal of earnest men for i'm
mediate action forhidding the trans
y. formation OF their strength givins
r grains into a poison which was Ger
= tain to bring "A food OF social and
:, domestic disorders. They were with
= out the modern knowledge of tn.
J. physical effect of alcohol upon tn
/. human system and the physical econ
t omy. They were without the guild
fance Of the experience OF charta bla
correctional and penal institutions
They did not have the testimony o
= Judges OF every court, Of peace Of
X GERS of every grade. and OF cities ant
l. states Of every section all WITNESSING
!: the destructive and corrosive civil,
g. and social effects OF drink. And sir
II was before the advent of the sa
loon. II was before drunk enness wa
looked upon as weakness: II wa
before the ministers of Christ eithe
v stunned IT or looked upon II will
: marked disfavor; II was before tn
; employer of labor discrim Inatet
Z; against the drinker; II was befor'
the insurance companies frownet
upon alcohol, it was before tn
church demanded total abstinence; i
A was before the school taught the ef
AeCs OF the poison; II was befor'
l. theer was a square inch of prohibi
.; ton territory in the Anglo Saxol
world That congress was a world
renowned gathering that it remem
oered today with more veneration
l. respect and love than many. perhap
s: than any, OF its successors Abe the,
s; remembered for their wisdom? Flo
i: their time they wre wise men blu
wisdom accumulates with the years
There is not a man in this cham be
that does not know more of electri
.. city than Franklin. who knew NOR
J. OF 1t than any other OF his time But
Z sir. the ware not remembered 70
7 their learning Are they remember,
for their oratoryo There were blu
few orators among them. and thi
chamber holds the equal OF their hes,
q Are they remembered for their lit
"a erary attainments? Their lterar,
}; men though great wer few.
g Menof Courage.
I There is one Characteristic tina
elevates that congress to an emin
ence OF fame approached by no othe
it is the sublime courage will
" which they faced the vexing problem
n of their day
In faca of tba,, d.roa - al