The 'Habitual Drunkard' List
A proposed law would have forced Seattle barkeepers to publicly post a list of 'habitual drunkards' in their establishments, effectively blacklisting them from purchasing alcohol.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Mr. Hill, of Jefferson, introduced House Bill No. 37, to amend section 1676 of the Code so as to read as follows: It shall be the duty of the probate judge of each county to furnish a copy of this act as amended, together with the names of all persons adjudged habitual drunkards, to all parties licensed to sell by retail intoxicating liquors in such county, and such retail dealer shall keep up in his place of business a copy of said law and a list of such habitual drunkards. A person failing to keep such law and list so posted shall forfeit his license, and, if he thereafter sell intoxicating liquors, he shall be punished as if selling without a license.
“It shall be the duty of the probate judge of each county to furnish a copy of this act as amended, together with the names of all persons adjudged habitual drunkards.”
This 1883 legislative proposal to use public shaming and blacklisting to control social behavior reflects the recurring historical tension in Seattle between individual liberty and public order. It mirrors modern debates over the use of exclusion lists and surveillance technology to manage public safety in urban spaces.
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