Opium, Alcohol, and Crime
By Editor
REFERRING to a lot of youthful criminals recently sent before the courts of San Francisco, the Chronicle of that city says:— "Doubtless if these youths who were sentenced on Saturday had been asked to give the cause of their downfall, nine-tenths would have answered, Opium. This drug, which may be bought at scores of places in Chinatown and at nearly every drug store, is responsible for most of the petty crime in this city, which sends young men to San Quentin or the House of Correction for the first time. Its baleful influence is recognized by all penologists as well as by the police, but the influence of those interested in its sale seems too powerful for the law; and thus far it has received no material check." There is probably much truth in what the Chronicle says, though it is probable that alcohol in some form or other is responsible for fully as much of the crime as is opium. The sale of both alcoholic drinks and opium ought to be prohibited under such severe penalties that only the most reckless would dare to vend them. But the secular press of this State dare not say a word against the liquor traffic. They are bold in denouncing opium, for the traffic in that is largely in the hands of Chinamen, and they don't vote, but the gentlemen who own and run saloons and breweries have the ballot and know how to use it against those who would interfere with their "business."