“The state Board of Health of Massachusetts, in the Tenth Annual Report, published in January, 1879, say, under the head of ‘Intemperance’: ‘A more severe public judgment of drunkenness, in recent times, has undoubtedly tended to very much decrease its prevalence; and it is generally believed that light German beer is used more and more each year, at least in our state, to the exclusion of stronger liquors—_a change which it is of course desirable to hasten by legislation, so far as that can be done, either by removal of restrictions on the sale of mild liquors, and heavily taxing the stronger spirits, or by any other just and proper means_.’ This is the reiterated public expression of men to whom the state of Massachusetts has committed the general care for the health of her people. For the former public utterance of this opinion the chairman of the Board, for years past, has been most bitterly assailed by prohibitionists; but, undaunted by these intemperate and abusive attacks, the state Board of Health confirm the statement of their honest conviction by repeating the same, and embodying it in an important public document. “In harmony with this public expression of opinion by the state Board of Health, appears the action of the Committee on License of the Board of Aldermen of the city of Boston. In their report of September, 1878, to the City Council, this committee say: ‘It may be objected that the committee have been too liberal in their recommendations of the issue of licenses, but their experience has convinced them that the “lunch rooms,” established chiefly for the sale of lager beer and edible refreshments, ought to be regarded as victualing saloons, even if facilities are not maintained for regular meals, and no cooking is done on the premises. The committee feel satisfied that the consumption of lager beer, now so general, tends, in fact, to exclude from sale and use more ardent spirits, and thereby diminishes crime and pauperism. It is well known that in the old countries, where beer and light wines are accessible, without restraint, at a small expense, and are freely used by all classes of people, cases of intoxication are very rare. The committee are confident that drunkenness, and consequently pauperism and crime, will be diminished in this state, if no restrictions were placed on the sale of lager beer, for it then could be provided at such a low price as to effectually supersede the use of strong liquors. They therefore submit for the consideration of the City Council the following order: “‘_Ordered_, That his Honor the Mayor be requested to petition the next Legislature for such amendment of chapter 99 of the statutes of 1875 as will allow the sale of cider and lager beer without any license being required therefor.’