THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

Evening Star, Issue 7495, 13 April 1888, Page 3

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

TO THB KDITOB. Sir,_l read with pleasure the letter of "Reformer" in your last night's issue. It is satisfactory to know that others besides the teetotal extremists are dissatisfied with the present position of the liquor trade in Pun-

edin. I hope " Reformer " v.ill not be Balisfled with writing a letter to the papers, but that he will take sdrns vigorous potion to give praetieal effect to, his ideas. Why sliould all attempts, at liquor law reform be left to extremists? Such work as " Reformer " sketches is work which. may,, and should be, undertaken by the " Moderates." It Is hot to be expected that men who declare that the salb df ihtoxieating beverages is "evil and only evil, aha that continually," will discriminate between liquor shops as " Reformer" does ; nor can those who never drink intoxicants and urge the desii ability of their universal disuse dare much about the purity or impurity of drinks they never use. These are matters not for the "Extremists" but for the "Moderates" to look to. Why have they not done so ere this ? The_ " Moderates " have returned their candidates on the Licensing Committee for several years in succession. Why have they not done something to tear down the " nests of hotels (so called) in this City that are merely qrog-shops" ? Or why have they not instigated the police to proceed against "the vampires of society" (that is tho language of " Reformer," not of an extremist), so that they may be " rooted out from amongst the community " ? Let "Reformer" initiate a crusade in that direction, and the Extremists will net discourage him by carping criticism, but will . bid him and his coadjutont God-speed. It is too bad for " Moderates" and " reformers " to indicate, as they are so ready to do, the work that should be done, and then ask the Extremists to undertake the doing of it, while they themselves only stand, or more probably sit, and look on. It reminds one of those who were wontto lay burthens on other men's shoulders which they declined to touch with one of their fingers.—l am, etc., An Extremist. Duncdin, April 11. .