p. 61 | Malt Liquors

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 28, 1886

Malt Liquors.

It is very probable that were the claim to be made that the people of the United States consume a greater quantity of liquors per capita than those of any other nation, it would be sustained by official facts and figures. The report of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for the year closed June 30, places the consumption of malt liquors for that time at 17,573,723 barrels, an increase over the figures of the preceding year of 1,147,673 barrels. Reducing the reported consumption of last year to gallons, gives 702,948,920 gallons as the quantity of malt liquors consumed in the United States during the twelve months. On the basis of the canvass of population for 1880, the consumption of malt liquors per capita was over fourteen gallons; and if it be assumed that the entire quantity was drunk by the male population alone, the figures would give over twenty-eight gallons for the consumption of every man and male child in the United States. If the calculation be based on an estimate of 55,000,000 as the present population of the United States, it will be found that our consumption of malt liquors for the period stated was equal to a fraction over twelve gallons for every man, woman, and child, in the country.

Here is a gigantic sin, in the guise of a personal enjoyment, from which the temperance people seek to cleanse our land. May they succeed!—Sel.