Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 19.djvu/142

* TEMPERANCE. 114 TEMPERANCE. (4) the introduction of Good Templarism, in 186S; and (5) the organization of the Bhif Ri1)bon Army on February 10, 1878, now the Blue Kibbon Gospel Temperance Movement with branch or- ganizations, the Help Myself Societies for men and the Help One Another Societies for women. The United Kingdom Alliance (1853) urges pro- hibition upon Parliament. The temperance movement in America and Great Britain has been characterized by the emotionalism of religious revivals. Prayer and conversion were offered as aids to reform. Many religious organizations as such have interested themselves in temperance work. The Methodist Church from the days of the Wesleys has ad- vocated total abstinence. The Friends were op- posed to drinking, and among the Dunkards ab- stinence was a test of fellowship. Since the be- ginning of the nineteenth century, Baptists, Con- gregationalists, and Presbyterians have been op- posed to drinking. In the ^United States church members are more often connected with non-sec- tarian organizations. Among the general church organizations are: The Congregational Total Abstinence Association (1874); The Baptist Total Abstinence Association (1874); the Total Abstinence Society of the Presbyterian Church of England (1892); a number among various Methodist sects; Church of England Temperance Society (1802, reorganized 1873), formed to pro- mote temperance, to study the causes of the abuse of alcohol, and to do rescue work. The Roman Catholic Church advises moderation, but where this is impossible, total abstinence. In 1902 the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America (q.v.) contained about 80.000 members. In Great Britain the League of the Cross was in- augurated by Cardinal Manning in 1873. Medical men -have formed societies, such as the British Medical Temperance Association, (1872) advocating total abstinence and making investigations, and the American Medical Tem- perance Association (1891). Some labor unions, especially the Knights of Labor, have discour- aged the use of intoxicants. Farmers' associa- tions, such as the National Farmers' Alliance and the National Grange, have put themselves on record as opposed to the liquor traffic. Among the many children's societies that have been or- ganized "are: the Cold- Water Army (1828); juvenile branches or cadets of secret societies; Bands of Hope-; and the Loyal Temperance Le- gions of the W. C. T. U. In opposition to temper- ance reformers, liquor manufacturers and deal- ers have organized to prevent hostile legislation. In 18G2 the LTnited States Brewers' Association was formed to oppose the internal revenue taxes and prohibition. In Illinois the brewers or- ganized, purchased saloon sites in Chicago, and established cheap saloons conducted by agents. The Liquor Dealers' and Manufacturers' State Protection Association of Illinois is another as- sociation of liquor men. In August, 1846, a World's Temperance Con- gress was held in London, at which 302 delegates were present. Since then there have been other international conventions, notably the World's Temperance Congress of 1893 at Chicago. At this meeting the economic aspects of the problem, especially the cost to the workingman, were em- phasized. There was a general feeling in favor of total abstinence among English and Ameri- cans, while the Europeans advocated moderation and the drinking of wine. In Canada and Aus- tralia the movement has progressed along the same line as in England and America. Scandinavian Countries. Drunkenness has been a serious vice in Sweden and Norway. Vari- ous temperance societies have been organized, and the ell'orts to solve the question by means of the Bergen system of monopoly in Norway and the Gothenburg system (q.v.) in Sweden have received much comment. Germany. The German Temperance Society was organized in 1837, but the national custom of beer-drinking lessens the importance of the liquor problem in that country. Austria. Only recently has a temperance movement been organized. The Society for Checking Inebriety was started in 1884. Belgium has several temperance societies, among them the Association Against the Abuse of Alcohol (1878). Switzerland has a total abstinence movement, superseding societies advocating moderation. The Blue Cross Federation was founded in 1877. Latin Countries. Spain, up to 1860, was a ■ sober country. Since then a slight increase in drunkenness has been due to the adulteration of wines, which has caused the people to use spirits. There is no active temperance movement, how- ever. Since the destruction of the vines has led the poor of France to drink adulterated spirits, drunkenness has increased, and there is a decided temperance movement in favor of moderation rather than total abstinence. Russia. Drunkenness has been a great vice in Russia. The peasant drink vodka is particularly intoxicating. Various temperance societies ex- ist. Since .Tanuarv, 1895, the Government has acted as middleman, not maintaining a monopoly, but regulating and limiting the sale of liquor, and analyzing it to ascertain its purity. A large revenue is obtained in the provinces where this system has been established, and the system is being extended to other provinces. General Considerations. (1) Economic Aspects. — A large amount of capital is in- vested in the liquor business — vast manufac- turing plants (breweries and distilleries), and the propertj', fittings, and money paid for bonds and licenses necessary for the retail trade. For example, in June, 1896, there were 6187 distilleries in the United States, producing 89,992.555 gallons, and 1866 breweries, produc- ing 1.111,636,750 gallons. The capital invested b.v 1924 firms was $269,270,249, and 41,425 peo- ple were employed. National, State, county, and municipal governments often have an interest in the traflic, through the leying of taxes upon it. In 1896 liquor taxes amounted to .$164,016,- 401.68. These taxes are important as revenues, especially to small localities. The cost of liquor- drinking to the consumer is great, since the monev spent on liquor is diverted from more use- ful expenditures. Chicago's drink bill in 1894 was $70,000,000. In 1896 the consumption per capita in the United States was 16.42 gallons. An important economic consideration for the community is the co.st of maintaining criminals and paupers made so by the abuse of intoxicants. (2) Relation to Poverty. — Drunkenness makes greater ravages among artisans than among paupers. Warner's tables show that it was