Provide Something Better

The tomperance reform moveinent is meeting with great success, especially throughout the West. Tho women appear to be doing what legislation hasfailed to do. Hardened old sinners, who could go to sleep under man's preaching, listen to the songs and prayers of the women, and give proof of their conversión by clc8ing their saloons and emptying their liquor in the streets. Throughout the country districts the change has been almost magieal, so much so that in many towns whero scores of dram-shops were open a few weeks ago not one is found open to-day. We fear, however, that the reform will be but of a temporary character, unless some practical measures are adopted to hold theground now occupied. The friends of temperance must provide a substituto for the saloons they close, or new rumshop8 will bo opened as soon as the present excitement dies away. We suggest the establishment of tea and coffee-rooms, under the supervisión of earnest ladies and gentlemen. These rooms should be made attractivo by having on file tho leading magazines and newspapers. Harmless games, such as checkers. and chess, should also be provided, thus enablipg the visitor to pass a few hours with profit and pleasure. Tea and coffee should be of first quality, and the charge per cup should not be more than five cents. These rooms would attracts the idle, and by bringing them in contact with a b&tter class thau the one usually found in drinking saloons would tend to their practical reformation. The hardworking-man would also lind these rooms attractivo, and be induced to visit them with his family, thus throwing an additional safeguard around tho cause of temperance. We are satisfied that these tea and coffee-rooins would bo an excellent substituto for dram-shops, and, if properly managed, we believe they would effectually prevent the reopening of saloons when the present crusade against liquor shall have lost its novelty and power.