Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-03-15
Communication.

MR. EDITOR Your paper being devoted
to the advocacy Of sound morals as well as
politics, have expected before this 10 see
some notice in il of the action taken by the
legislature of Illinois on the subject of Tenn
perance. But presuming that it has escaped
your eve in the selection Of news for the pub
lie, | take pleasure in furnishing the main
principles of the bill as it passed in that body
1. 1t repeals all present License laws.
2. Prohibits The sale Of intoxicating drinks
in less quantity than one quart, under pen
atty of S25.
8. If sold 10 minors increases the fine to
from $40 to SlO0
a. Provides for penalty Of moi less thar
s25, nor 500, for selling more than quart,
and permitting the same 10 be drunk on the
premises of the sellei,
5. Giving away liquor, to come within the
provision of the law.
While we regard this action as J great adj
vance in the public sentiment of that state on
this subject, and as indicative of a spirit
which should fill all of our legislative bodies ::
we must still consider the bill faulty in seve-
raj particulars, though admirable in ohers. -
The first clause is right and past, for we have
ever been unable TO appreciate Inc arau-
menis why there should be a privileged class
in a community licensed TO retail misery and
pauper taxes on the industrious. IF a bless
ing. why shoud not all enjoy The privilege
The second will have tendency 10 prevent
drnnkard- making, for a man has gone far
down the hill when he will turn into grog-
shop and purchase a quart of whisley Tor his
own drinking. Perhaps the reason why they
did not make the quantity greater than
tlnart was, they intended to kill off all the
old drunkards as fast as possible, which if re-
garded in a pecnniary point Of view alone, is
certainly desirable. We think that or 10
gallons would have been better. The third,
In relation TO minors is highly commendable,
hnt the penalty should be more severe, for it
is from the young that our army of drnnkarls
is recruited The fourth is GOOD in some of
It's specifications bnt defective in others
The amount 10 be sold may do; bat why not
compel the buyer TO drink it on the premises
INSTEAD of carrying it away and disturbing
his peaceful aud sober ueighbors, and hold
The seller responsible for his conduct while
llnder lis influence The ffh clause of the
bill must bear with great weioht on the mpr.
chants of Illinois, especially if they bal,
their customers with whi>kev as their bre,h-
nrn do in this portion Of the Union.
for one should have been pleased in see
nn- feature in this bill similar 10 what has
hecome II law in the state of Wisconsin.
There the retailer of liquors is held reSpon-
sitlr for thu good conduct of his customers.
s,nd is required Ia ave heavy bonds fur tina,
E,htpose. The only testimony needed for his
Sonyiclion,F is that Of the rife, or single
competent individual in the community who
will swrar that the person prosecuted has
SOLD Liquor 10 the lrpsspassrr on the public
peace within thrcc days II that is proven,
,he seller is held responsible for all damages
9nd Ae has the privilege Of iuSriu,iug Il suit
against ',is hrrlhreu in Ihe same honorable
failipg: fer ihpr proportion ot the fine. The
practical saori,iug of this law among The fra.
'rruiiy is boiis amusing and instructive; and
I cannot compare il 20 any thing on land :;
and therefore, rN'st seek "A comparison in the
ocean, where lEe larger sharks devour the
smaller When ;yiH we so far advance in
morality and hGnPs,y as 10 enact similar laws
~ ,ne Keystone. State