A CLERGYMAN'S VIEW.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIX, Issue 203, 18 August 1893, Page 4

A CLERGYMAN'S VIEW.

♦ As American clergyman, the Rev. Dr Raiusford, m writing on the " Possible Reformation of the Drink Traffic" takes up the position of those who argue that the temperance question will never be solved until temperance men take to keeping publichouses. Be remarks m course of bis article . m the North American Review :— " The ] public-bou c, then, that the people need, is \ no mere dram shop, but h commodious • meeting-place — a club house. It must < provide amusement— muf»o certainly. It ! needs no standing bar. Its food sapply j must be plentiful cheap, varied, and well ; cooked. Milk, coffee, aud tea must be as ] much it 3 staple trade as beer, wines, and m come cages, perhaps, spirits. It should be a j directly business concern, with no savour j of crankdom or religion about it. It must embody one aim and one only — the providing of reasonable and healthy amusement and opportunities for social intercourse for the masses cf the peoplo, obliged by the vicious eiicumstnncea surrounding their homes to Becure some space and entertainment away from them. Any sign of philanthropy about it, or any running of it as a reforming agency, foredooms it to failure. It seems, then, altogether timely and wise that groups of people m our large cities should establish •' pnblic bouses " where slcohol i 3 sold along with all other foods and drinks that the public need. Such resorts would compete with the saloons, and would do much to cheer the sadly monotonous lives of a large part of our city population."