GOV. LONG ON LIQUOR LEGISLATION.
By Editor
GOVERNOR LONG of Massachusetts, in his inaugural address before the general court of 1881, devotes considerable space to "liquor legislation," from which we make the following extract: "I cannot forbear to call your attention generally to the terrible evil of intemperance, and its devastation of crime, insanity and pauperism. The public mind is awakened afresh to its gravity, and ready to sustain any healthy movement for its suppression. There is a growing demand, shared by men of all shades of theoretical opinion, that whatever be the law in this matter it should be honestly enforced, and that just as far and as fast as possible, the dram shop should be rooted out, in the interest alike of good morals and of the material welfare of capital and labor. The bureau of statistics has, during the year, added to its admirable work by conducting an original inquiry into the cause of crime. It has made personal investigation of every case in the nine criminal courts of Suffolk county, which were selected as a sample, and the result constitutes the strongest indictment against the use of intoxicating liquors that has been drawn. Of the 16,867 cases, more than 72 per cent were for the various grades of drunkenness; and in addition to these, more than 12 per cent were offenses committed by persons under the influence of liquor, leaving only some 15 per cent of crime to represent what would be the total amount but for the use of intoxicating liquors. These statistics are important, as presenting this subject in the economical light of its relation to the industrial interests of the commonwealth and as an appeal to those who depend upon them, whether as employers or employees. They will be laid before you in due course, and I trust, will receive your attention. "They cannot fail to impress, not only the moralist, but, in view of the enormous waste they suggest, the economist, the manufacturer, and the workingman, also. The more sobriety the greater the dividend of capital and the wages of labor. Can it be that good morals, wise economy, the spirit of mutual help, the love of accumulation and the light of domestic happiness will not see their common interest in a more united effort to surpass this common evil?"