Why High License Is Objectionable.
THE Inter-Ocean advocates high license. It claims that the Illinois law has reduced the number of saloons in that State from 13,000 to 9,000, while it has increased the revenues of the State from $200,000 to $1,500,000. This it claims is a good record, one that should satisfy the temperance people; but Helen M. Gougar takes a different view of this matter. In a letter to that journal she says:— "By the figures given, there is an increased revenue of $1,300,000, which, it is affirmed, 'makes the evil bear a large portion of the expense.' Who pays this extra revenue? The advocate of high license will answer, 'The saloon-keeper.' Where does he get this amount of money? Surely he will not remain in business unless he can make this revenue out of his business. The men who drink at his counter pay this revenue, not the saloon-keeper. Who are these men? Very largely the working classes. Who suffers most from the payment of this 'extra revenue?' The women and children, the homes of the men who hand this revenue, ten cents at a time, over the counter of the saloons. This extra $1,500,000 revenue represents so many hungry, cold children; so many little bare-legged, bare-footed babies in 'High License Illinois.' It is a poor law and a poor Government that cannot protect its women and children better than the above statement shows that the High License Law is doing after several months' trial. If this 'extra revenue' went back into the homes of those who do the drinking it might appeal to the common sense of those who claim this to be 'blood-money.'" This is gospel truth. There is no way to cure the evils of the liquor traffic except by abolishing it altogether. In other words the dog's tail ought to be cut off close behind the ears.—Demorest's Monthly.