The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-07-21
ABBEVlLLE c. H.. S. c.. JULY q. 1847

cense to sell alcohol in any quantity to
fifteen dollars upon his giving bond ane
good security to keep clean, wholesome
meat and lodgings for travellers, and the
usual provender for horses But ifhe is no
a tavern keeper--that is, does not entertain
the traveler-to obtain retail license, to
sell in quantities not less than a quart, he
is required to pay fifty dollars, and enter
into recogn;zance with two securities in the
penalty Of $1,000, to strictly observe all
laws, in force, in regard 10 the vending of al.
cohol and must neither give or sell it to
slaves without acriNu order.
Both the tavern keeper and retailer, on d
second application for licence, are required
to make oath that they have faithfully dis
charged aN the law in regard to retail
ing and will continue to do the same in flu.
'urc. Here an exception is made as to dis
''lers, who make and sell the article.
They have the liberty to sell in quantities
not less than quart, but it must not be
drank on the premises.
For any violation of any Of these restric-
tlons, is fine not exceeding two hundred
dollars, and Imprisonment not exceeding
six months
Although itseems that allapplcations for
license are TO be heard by the commission
ers of roads and town councils, yet they are
not to be granted unless it :tshall seem meet
and proper"
Now, it will be observed, that the above
legal restrictions have reference only to the
vending of alcohol in small quantities, to
make, buy, sell, or to drink it, there are no
legal, or natural prohibitions, whatever.
There can be no doubt in the good de-
sign of the legislature in thus enacting
the above restrictions for the better rcgula-
ton of the sale of ardent spirits; but what
a very easy matter it is for the thing to be
carried too G.r. There IS now an CID act,
if we construe it tcorrectIy, i'm posing fine OF
five shillings against all cases of drunkenness,
and we are informed that it is, and ever
has been, dead letter, on the statute book
law into disreputc, and the same may be
said as to all enactments, however good the
design, that are not respected by the people.
The legislature we presume can pass an
&C: that no man shall drink alcohol, but
what effect will such law have but to bring
the law generally more or less into disre-
pute. This is its only, and inevitable ten.
dency. The great object of our law makers
is, and should be to have the laws respected:
and hence it is obviously inexpedient to
pass any law whatever that will not be re-
spec,ed.
Now how does the thing stand as TO the
matter of vending alcohol? The fact is, we
see that the law is not enforced to one third
of its extent as it is, and yet there are men
CRYING for more law-more legislation
Those who want farther Legislation OIL the
subject should, to be consistent, first show
that the already existing laws and restric-
,ions, as to retailing, are strictly enforced
that they operate benefcially, and that the
people are ripe for stronger and still more
ridged enactments on the subject, before
they cry more law-more legisIation,S5c.
The object Of the Legislature was obvi
ousIy to restrict the sale, and, as far as pos
sibIe. the inordinate use of alcohol, and no
to l.gaIize the traffic, as some seem to Inn
imagine If there were no restrictions o.
the traffic, as was once the case, then me
might, with some show of truth, say tina
the leg gislature was legalizing its sale. Bu
so long as it is sold in our midst, by illega
f and improper persons-directly contrary
all law on the subject-so long as men az
so inconsistently as to indeavor to revert tn
true intent Of the law, by lndiscriminalel
refusing license to any and all who ma
i make application, SO long will it be matte
8 of regret, to oil those who, zoe think, hay
!, correct viewas to the means to be used
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