Citizens Vigilance Association (temperance association: 1902-1925: Glasgow, Scotland)

The Citizens Vigilance Association was founded in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1902 . Its objectives were the due enforcement of existing licensing and related laws; the suppression of drunkenness; and the promotion of good government in the City.

The Association was governed by a president, a number of vice-presidents including clergy, Members of Parliament and Justices of the Peace, honorary secretary and a solicitor. There were 12 directors and the chairmen of local committees of the Association in Glasgow were ex-officio members. Each electoral district of the city had its own committee. Meetings were held in West Nile Street, Glasgow, and later in Hope Street, Glasgow.

The Association looked to prevent the granting of licenses for new public houses and to close down current disreputable ones. Their solicitor would represent individuals, communities and those who could not afford to represent themselves to oppose the granting of licenses. They also looked to help prosecute temperance supporters victimised by public house landlords during their opposition to licensing.

Citizens Vigilance Association was also active in lobbying for licensing powers to be removed from the magistrates' courts and Justices of the Peace who granted licences under the Licensing (Scotland) Act of 1903. They felt the JPs not to be impartial, with many being involved with, or earning money in some way from, the alcohol and liquor trade. Instead, they advocated that licensing powers should lie with the city council through the Sheriffs.

The Association also mustered support for Bills going through parliament and local by-laws that promoted temperance or better governance of the city. For example, in 1911 they promoted a by-law to restrict the opening hours of ice cream parlours in order to prevent young people for hanging around these establishments late at night. This also extended to the Association promoting and supporting councillors and prospective MPs who advocated temperance.

In 1925 , the Association was disbanded when it merged the Scottish Temperance Alliance that had recently been formed through the amalgamation of the Scottish Temperance League and the Scottish Permissive Bill & Temperance Association.

From the guide to the Records of the Citizens Vigilance Association, temperance organisation, Glasgow, Scotland, 1907-1925, (Glasgow University Archive Services)