THE FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW. EDITED BY JOHN MORLEY. VOL. XXI. NEW SERIES. JANUARY I TO JUNE 1, 1877. (VOL. XXVII. OLD SERIES.) LONDON: CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY. [The Right of Translation is reserved.] THE FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW. No. CXXI. NEW SERIES.-JANUARY 1, 1877. THE BIRMINGHAM PLAN OF PUBLIC-HOUSE REFORM. On the 15th of November last a sub-committee of the six hundred of the Birmingham Liberal Association appear to have agreed to the following resolution: "That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that local representative authorities should be empowered to acquire, on payment of fair compensation, on a principle to be fixed by Parliament, all existing interests in the retail sale of intoxicating drinks within their respective districts; and thereafter, if they think fit, to carry on the trade for the convenience and on behalf of the inhabitants, but so that no individual shall have any pecuniary interest in or derive any profit from the sale.” The wording of the resolution is, perhaps unavoidably, rather vague. But this defect is amply compensated by the very full and clear speech of Mr. Chamberlain. He lays down three propositions: first, that the absolute suppression of drinking is impossible; secondly, that unless we can secure some better regulation of drinking, the evils of which we complain will be permanent, and possibly extended; and, thirdly, that this regulation can only be sufficiently secured by entrusting the trade to the control of the local authorities. It is, of course, this last proposition on which the whole project rests. From it Mr. Chamberlain expects these advantages: first, the diminution of the number of public-houses; secondly, a greater adherence to the law; thirdly, that the liquor sold will be pure and unadulterated; fourthly, it is urged on behalf of the plan that it would facilitate the making fresh regulations against intemperance, if needed. To this plan Mr. Chamberlain anticipates there may be three objections. First, it may be said that it is wicked to sell liquor; secondly, that it is wrong to compensate the publicans; thirdly, that those who propose this scheme are entering on a vast speculation, the end of which no man can see. We have placed before the reader the summary of Mr. Chamberlain's speech, because he seems to have taken considerable pains in |