Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 19, 1907

The Liquor Dealers’ Resolutions

THE growth of the temperance sentiment throughout the country and the rapid increase of “dry” territory are causing the liquor manufacturers and wholesale dealers much uneasiness, and there is constant effort on their part to make their business appear respectable and to cast discredit upon prohibition. They denounce the latter as a breeder of intemperance and hypocrisy. It is very evident, however, that the smallness of their sales of liquor in prohibition territory is a much more cogent reason for their opposition to it than any solicitude on their part for the cause of temperance. At the first annual meeting of the New York State Liquor Dealers’ Association held in New York City recently, a resolution was unanimously adopted in which it was declared that the “legitimate manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages is an honorable and reputable trade, and that the great majority of men engaged in it are honorable and patriotic American citizens.” They further resolved that it was unfair to the federal government derives “a substantial portion of its revenue from those engaged in the business.” The holding of such meetings, called for the purpose of devising means for counteracting the temperance movement, indicates plainly that the liquor business is being hurt in a vital spot by the spread of the prohibition movement.