The Washington times., 1919-08-24


| plate. The license laws. the union
declared, imposed this burden of wos
upon the community, and were
therefore unjust and unreasonable
and should be repealed.
at is a political maxim, wen
known and recognized in the prin-
ciple Of all sound government, that
the majority should not be taxed for
the exclusive benefit OF the minori-
ty," said the union. ain the opera
ton OF the license laws this maxim
| is virtually annulled. We find a
large majority OF our felloW-citizens
annually paying a heavy and in
creasing tax to enrich the retailers
OF ardent spirits, who are compare
lively a small class Of the cOmmup-
ity and by whose business pauper-
ism, disease, and crime are entailed
upon the majority and for the SUD-
port Of which the majority are un-
Justly compelled to pay"
Along with that the union present.
ed the startling affidaVits OF forty
five physicians Of Cincinnati who
placed ardent spirits in the class
Win arsenic!
John Coyle, corresponding secre-
tary Of the union, was directed to
write to the mayor and other ,,ffi-
cials to get the costs of supporting
paupers, prisoners, and the public
sick. Mayor Bradley was our civic
head in those days and william
Hewitt our register. They replied
that the revenue from liquor licenses !
was $S,408. Chief Justice William
Cranch, Of the Supreme Court Of the,
District OF Columbia, did a lot Of hg-
uring and replied that the average
annual cost of prosecuting cases
arising from DO much drink was
$6,642.23; and Judge Cranch, BY the
way, made the wise observation that
there never would be any real tenn
perance law unless there was a
strong prepOnderance Of public opin-
ion to support one. Otherwise, NO
temperance law could be enforced.
DR.. Alex MeWHliams was the at
tending physician and Dr.. Richard
Butt, the Intendent Of the Washing
ton Asylum They declared that
practically ALL their cases arose
from ardent spirits" These two
worthless also declared that without
ardent spirits IAN addition would Be
formed to the peace and comfort
generally, as you can find at almost
all hours Of the night youths Of all
ages and sexes going from one
ordinary to another, haIlooing and
singing the most indecent songs
which must annoy the citizens and
greatly offend the Virtuous and deli Z
cate part Of the community"
The union received many letters
nom @the reverend clergy" inelud-
ing q most enthusiastic one from
Reuben Post, pastor Of the First
Presbyterian Church, who declared
without reservation that whenever
he smeIled liquor upon a sinners
breath he Gfelt little announcement
to labor for his salvation" II The
sinner win not Quit drink
ing, declares the Reverend Mr.. Post,
there would seem TO Be- about as
much reason TO hope for the con-
version Of q bear ot babocn Is OF
such a person"
GeOfgetUWnsN mAyUE, Johm Cox,
said ALL riOtoRs conduct was
caused by drink Magisrats Joel
Brown, Of the same town, shaved
down the mayors estimate b four
dfths Of the riOting (GeorgetoWn
must have been q much nofsier place
then than noW) and further de-
elared that II the police enforced the
laws properly there wouldn't be-
"One-hah the riots that now prevail.
It Is interesting to note IN the re-
port Of the second annual meeting
OF the union no members from
Georgetown appeared, and . doleful
paragraph IN the minutes declared
that 'ft Is to be greatly regretted that
the temperance cause has made 50
little advance IN this community"
Francis Scott Key, famous N
American history as the author OF
the national anthem, was at that
time United States District Attorney
for the District Of Columbia. He is
quoted In the union minutes as de-
claring that the sale Of spirituous
liquors was the main cause Of crime;
and said that the annual cost Of
and Furnishing crime
here was S21, ,0OS.14. He also takes
a slam at the police: 7 am conf
dent" he writes, that a vigilant
police and the suppression Of dram
shops would diminish It Icrfmel at
least one-half." OF course, It must
be remembered that there was no
police IN those days. A
few watchmen and constables, svi-
IDENTIFY asleep on the job, were all
We had