The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-09-04
TEMPERANCE,
For The G1ldru
For he GALAXY.
To the Chairman Of the Central Com. Of the


To The Chairman Of the Central Com. Of the
Vt. Temp. Soc.
SIR,-Confdent of a general conviction
among the people of the State, that some ac-
ton must be taken by the next Legislature,
upon the subject of Licenses, and to give an
opportunity TO all to profit by the experience
of others, propose TO give, in detail, the
laws Of several states, on this subject, and al
SO TO point out some of the defects which
conceive to be chargeable upon the laws of
this State, even admitting the Propriety Of
the license system in general. Let me begin
with the laws of
VERMONT.
Power is given to the Judges of the Coun-
" Courts, (who are annually appointed by the
Legislature) to license innholders and retail
ers. For selling without license the penalty
is $40, to be recovered by information or in
tNctmeut, before the County Court. Com
plants can be made only by grand juryman.
The board of civil authority are required to
meet within 20 days of the annual March
meeting, and receive applications for certif
Gates of appreciation. If they fail to nomi-
nate, the Court may license. The civil au-
thority may also license victuallers, to sell
first, provision, strong beer, ale and cider, and
may require bond in reasonable sum, with
condition that he will keep his house, shop,
or cellar in regular and orderly manner
On breach Of the bond, the license may be
vacated. The civil authority may also license
Temperance houses"
If innkeepers allow riotous or disorderly
conduct and practices, in violation OF the laws
of the State, they are liable to penalty from
S5 to $50, and a conviction thereof shall be
construed to vacate his license, and without
such conviction the County Court, on COM
plant Of one or more of the civil authority,
NAV vacate the license.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Power 10 license innholders, common vict-
uaIlers, and sellers of wine, brandy, rum, and
other spirituous liquors, is given to board Of
three commissioners in each county, who are
chosen once in three years, by the people
For presuming to sell these liquors, or "mix-
ed liquors, part of which is spirituous," Il. e..
for being common selleTl without license,
6he penalty is 500. The penalty for retail
ing the same, without license, in less quaint
ty than % gallons, flor each offence,) or if
sold to be drank on the premises, without IL
cense, is $50.
If an iDnhoder suffer any one to drink to
drunkenness, or 10 excess, in his premises, or
suffer any minor or servant, travellers except
ed, to have any strong drink, the penalty is
SIS. No account for liquors sold on trust, by
innholders or retailers, can be collected in a
suit at law. They are also prohibited from
entertaining any persons, other than travel
lers, drinking on the Sabbath, and victuallers
are forbidden TO keep open on the Sabbath
day, or evening, or later than 10 O'Clock on
any evening, "to entertain any person there
in. games &c. are also prohibited, under a
PENALTY Of $40. Licenses to innholders and
retailers may be so framed as only TO author
ize the sale of wine, beer, ale cider and other
ferr.ented drinks.
1t is also provided that no license shall be
granted or renewed, unless the applicant pro-
duce certificate from the select men, that
latter mature consideration, at meeting
held for that purpose, at which we were eacn
of rs present, We are oil OPINION that the pup
lie good REQUIRES that the petition be granted
he being to the best Of our knowledge and be-
lief, person of good moral character" L
the select men unreasonably neglect or re.
fuse 10 give such certificate, the petitioner
may apply 10 the commissioners, first giving
81 hours notice TO majority Of the selec
men, of his intended application, so that they
may appear and object"
II those fines are not paid, the offender may
be imprisoned in the County goal, not ex
ceeding 90 days.
The commissioners are also empowered &c
grant licenses to innholdefs, without the righ
10 sell spirituous liquors. A declaratory law
has also been passed, enacting that the stat
ME does not require the commissioners &c
grant any licenses. unless they believe the
public good requires it.