Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1889 — LIQUOR CONSUMPTION. [ARTICLE]

LIQUOR CONSUMPTION.

The Increase <)how«! tor £BBB by the Report of Che CommU. loner. Springfield'Republican. ' * The statistics relating to the consumption of distilled spirits, beer and tobacco, contained in the report of the Internal Revenue Commissioner for the, fiscal year of 1888 show an increased per capita use of all these stinSulents. This is an exception to the general rule established by the tax returns of several yeara past, only in the case of hard liquors, and the exception here does not disprove the rule. There has been a steady decline in the per capita consumption of distilled spirits, taking an average since 1840, when it was reckoned at. 2.62 gallons a person. But in those days alcohol was much more largely used in the arts than now, and this must be reckoned in with the rest, in 1870 the consumption was 207 gallons, and the decline had reached 1.19 gallon a year ago. But for 1888 the aggregate consumption of distilled spirits amounted to 73.177,603 gallons, again5t68,385,504 gallons for 1887. This would give an increased per capita consumption even on a libera) allowance for increase in population, supposing imports to have been about the same as a year ago, of which no reckoning is here made, More beer is drunk than ever. The increase in consumption has been steady and marked. Back in 184) it was recorded that only

1.36 gallon of malt liquors were consumed per capita; for 1887, the consumption reached 11.98 gallons, and for the twelve gallons. The use of wine continues stationary in quantities per capita; but the consumption of all liquore and wines is now nearly fourteen gallons a person, as compared with only 4.17 gallons in 1840, 7,70 in 1870 10,09 in 1880. It appears, also, that more tobacco, cigars and cigarettes were used last year than ever, the consumption being 9.23 pounds of manufactured tobacco per capita, cigars, 64.4 in number, and cigarettes, 29.7. The showing however is not as bad as it appears, although it is bad enough. The foreign additions to our population constantly going on will account for much of it. There is a tremendous tide here t tba the temperance movement cannot stem in a moment. But when we remember that the consumption of malt liquors alone in Great Britain, close upon twenty seven gallons a person each year, we must conclude that Americans are not as yet drinking to excess. And when it is remembered again that the average American is much better able financially to go to excess in this respect than the mass of British people the situation becomes encouraging. It has been shown from the tax exhibirs of Great Britain that the consumption of intoxicating liquors there is decreasing through temperance efforts and were it not for the adverse influences of foreign immigration this might possibly be shown tft be the case with us.

Lincoln’s Noble Temper, Gentleman, man of sense, and man es noble temper was Abraham Lincoln. ‘ The Century” prints a formidable letter with the air of the duello about it, written to Lincoln in 1840 by one Anderson. “On our first meeting on Wednesday last,” says this person, “a difficulty in words ensued between us, which I deem it my duty to notice further. I think you were the aggressor. Your words imported irisuli, and whether you meantthem as such is for you to say. You will, therefore, please inform me on this point. And if you designed to ofiend me, please communicate to me your present feelings on the subject and whether you persist in the stand you took.” Here is the reply, perfect in tact, temper and self-respect: “Your note of yesterday is received. In the d fficulty between us of which you speak you say you think I was the aggressor. T do not think I was. You say my ‘words imported insult’—l meant them as a fair Bet-off to your,own statements arid not otherwise; and in that light alone I now wish you to understand them. You ask for .my ‘present feelings on the subject’ I entertain no unkind feelings to yon, and none of any sort upon the subject, except a sincere regret that I permitted myself to get into any such altercation. Yours,etc. A. Lincoln.” - ~; '• v &•- ' ■ ,i ' ,v >' The Best Disinfectant. Chicago J< on si. “If people only said my friend the Doctor, “the value of fresh air as a disinfectant, they would not be so anxious to close it out of their dwellings. I don’t know whether yon know it or not, but the very best disinfectant in the world is good, fresh, ppre, common atmosphere. The oxygen that is in it will destroy Shy disease germs it can get as, and, take my word it, if our houses were weH'filled with godd pure atmosphere there would be much less diphtheria and other diseases than we have been having lately. The habit that people generally have fallen into, as soon as they think winter is approaching, of filling np every seam and crevice about their doors and windows, and making their houses practically airtight, ank keeping them that way nntil the iollcjving spring, is a very baneful one, pamsnlarly so in reference to tbe basements, where sewer gas is most likely to accumulate, and from there

make its way up through every room in the house. Of course it is desirable that pur homes should be kept moderately . warm and free (rony bold draughts, but this is quite compatible ifith an abundant supply of fresh aiti Air, to be fresh and pure, need not necessarily be cold, but provision should be made in the construction of our houses for thorough ventilation in such a way *as to avoid draughts. In houses already built, however, where such provision has not been made, a little cold air now and again would be much leas detrimental than the vitiated stuff which the majority of people. breathe for Bix months in tLe year.”