J. Ewing Ritchie

“ I don’t find the working men complain,—why should they? They know better than that. The law, as it stands, allows the working man to get all the beer he wants; and if you turn to the evidence lately given before a Committee of the House of Commons, you will find that the working classes are in favour of the change, and that many of them, even the most drunken and dissipated, feel that it would be a good thing if the p. 6public-houses could be closed altogether on Sundays. Many of the most respectable publicans in the metropolis gave similar evidence before the same Committee. ”

“ Let them do so; it will be the worst day’s work for them they ever did. Let them do so, and an agitation will be begun, and a public sentiment will be created, and an array of facts shall be turned against them, as shall shake their trade to its very base. ”

“ Wisdom would recommend them not to call public attention to their craft—as they will not follow her guidance,—as they find fault with the Committee and the Advertiser, which accepted the Bill rather than see one more stringent passed, the masses can await with confidence the result. The middle classes of this country know the horror of Sabbath drinking too well, the poor of this country know it too well; neither are to be cajoled by a pretence, on the part of the publicans, to advocate their interests or uphold their rights. ”

“ The Daily News, in the poor hope of saving itself from annihilation, by opposing the new Bill, and thus becoming the organ of the pot-house says:—“The Pharisees of our drawing-rooms and saloons ought, before they are allowed to hamper and annoy the honest poor by their enactments, to be compelled to share for a season in the labour of the poor, in order that they might have some conception of the privations which they entail upon their victims, and the possible consequences of such privation.” ”

“ What is your opinion as to the general effects of the recent Act or Parliament in relation to the management of public-houses, or upon the happiness and well-being of your workpeople? Is it your opinion that the hours during which spirituous and fermented drinks may be obtained on Sundays should be subject to further restrictions? ”

“ Thus we have employers in favour of the new Bill,—the poor in its favour,—many of the publicans, who feel the Sunday trade not to be respectable,—in short all classes in its favour except one, and that a section of the publicans who want to sell more beer, and, to do so, cant about the interests of the working classes and the liberty of Englishmen. Cant at all times is loathsome ”

“ More than one publican, examined before the Committee, confessed this to be the case. The evidence of Mr. Wayland, the Marylebone City missionary, and others, all went to show that it is the Sunday drinking that does so much harm, and that was the effect of the late hours at which public-houses were allowed to be kept open. ”