The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1839-12-28

tWOulQ De, tnaL lie WHOSE IOTlullc WOulQ a
ow him to be the purchaser of the qna
ty limited by law, would crafty his i
sire; while he would be debarred Of j.
srme enjoyment, whose fortune refu ~~'i
him like expenditure. Whatever mig
be the intention of The Legislature, the ef,
feet of the law in the mind of him wh
was deprived, would be, that aponalty had
been fixed, not upon the commission of q
crime, but upon his poverty. That such
would be the opinion which law of this
kind, would induce, your committee are
not allowed to doubt, and they cannot but
regard it as an unanswcrabIe argument
to the legislation proposed. Degrading as
may be the indulgence, in the use of ar
dent spirits; fraught as the history of In
Temperance may be, with the heart rend-
ing, and desolatmg evidence of beastlali-
ty the most revolving awful; and impress
sive as may be the lesson, conveyed to US,
in home abandoned;a a family beggaeed
the man himself, a blasted monument Of
his wickedness and his guilt-these are far
short of the dreadful excesses, which ex-
tend themselves to every member of a
community, in contest arising from a
jealousy arising from the distinctions and
privileges of favored class. True, such
results may not follow with us. Yet, why
risk their occurrence. What principle of
religion, morality OF government, calls up
on US tu work fearful experiment on the
peace and happiness of our State? Why
should we publish license to the dema-
gogue, to revel in that dlsorganlzatlon,
which attends every contest between clas-
scs in a community.
Your committee are of the opinion that
the exercise of the powers now vested in
tho Commissioners of Roads aud Bridges,
and other bodies possessed under the acts
of this Legislature, may be made by jl-
dicious exercise, productive ofgreat good.
The power of granting or withholding Ii
ccnscs in proper cases may be made pro-
ductive of the greatest benefit, not only t.
those communities where reform is most
loudly called for, but in all where change
is deemed necessary: and from the infOr-
nation which has been communicated to
your committee, they have no doubt but
these boards can and will do much to ad-
vance the cause which has excited an inte-
terest so deep and general. In different
parts of the state, these boards or bodies
by law invested with similar powers have
made most iudlcious use Of their autho-
rity in limiting the number of licenses, and
in the character of the applicant; guard
ing the interest Of the country they have
in chnrge, these powers if administered in
a proper spirit, cannot fail in dong good.
The nature of their authority, removes
them from all improper apprehension, and
makes them cmphatcally, in this regard,
the trustees of the happiness and comfort
of their respective communities.
Your committee have also, determined
to advise the repeal of the regulation now
existing in regard to suffers. The mode
of appointment, and the appointment it.
SELF your committee regard as alike objcc-
tionable. The time and places in which
the suttler exercises his privileges, is alike
injurious and useless. The muster ground
is not intended as place of disorder and
dissipation; but an occasion in which the
citizen is emphatically reminded of the
high duties which devolve upon him as a
member of free republic. The duties
which he is there required to perform are
of the greatest Importance to the welfare
of his country; and he can never repair to
it with the feelings or ability tc do that du-
ty properly, if the responsibility which
should be present to him, is forgotten in
the anticipation of gross indulgence.
Your committee would also recommend
that the penalty for retailing without a IL
cense be increased. There can be no
doubt but the retailer in many cases spec
mates upon the chances of detection and
ascertains that his escape for certain
period, will make him considerable gain
er, even if fdetecticn andpunishment would
ultimately ensuc. Such practices are not
only frauds upon the state, but unless pre-
vented by provisions, inAictng heavy pen
alties, are wrongs to the honest dealer,
who has obcyed the acquisitions of the
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