Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-03-24
Anti-Lieense Law ldopled.

The following Is the, law passed by The
Legislature in regard to The sale Of ardent
spirits The object Of the law is unques-
tionably good one-to promote the cause
Of temperancs-but,i it is matter of great
question whether all the legislation that has
ever been had upon this subject has ever
resulted in any benefit. It is impossible
to regulate mems tastes and appetites or to
restrain the exercise Of them by law. II
a man is determined 10 indulge in the use
Of ardent spirits, the attempt to prohibit him
by law will prove utterly futile. Besides,
it is doubtful whether this law is not far in
advance Of public sentiment, and if 30, it will
prove perfec. nullity. If, as was the case
at the last term Of our court, witnesses are
unwillingly dragged before tho grand jury
to bear witness against the liquor dealears,
and out Of the score in the county who have
sold openly, not one could be indicted, it
may be matter Of serious doubt whether
this law win not prove utterly useless to
accomplish the object for which it was in
tended; nay, whether its effects win not be
not only useless but injurious by cultivating
disregard Of the law. But here il the
act, the reader can judge Of it for himself:
: - bs~ AN ACT
To restrain the sale Of Spirituous Liquors.
Sec. l., Be 1t enacted By tbs General
ASSEMBLY Of the Statr Of Ohio. That il
any person shall sell or vend or give away
with in,en, to evade the provisions Of this
act, any spiri.uous liquors, of sny kind
Whatever, 10 be drank in, the place where
sold, or If any person shall vend or sell or
give away with intent to eyads the pro.
vision OF this act, any spirituous liquors. Of
any kind whatever, by less quantity than
one quart; or if any person shall sell or
vend or give away with intent 10 evade the
provision Of this net, any spiri,uous liquors,
ofany Kind whatever, TO any person under
sis,Gpn years OF age; ench and every per-
son, SO offending, shall be guilty Of a, mis-
dsmeanor; and upon conviction thereof,
shall for the first offence above specified,
be fined in any sum no, exceeding twenty.
Eve dollars, nor less than five dollars; for
the second offence above specified, shall, up
on conviction thereof. be fined in any sum
not exceeding twenty dollars, nor less than
five dollars; and for the third offence above
specified, upon conviction thereof, shall be
fined 10 any sum no. exceeding fifteen dol
lars, nor less than iye dollars; Provided.
That nothing contained in this section
shall be go constructed as to make it unlaw.
fol to self any spirituous liquors for medic.
inal and pharmaceutical purposes. 49,.
Sec. 2. All prosecutions under the pro.
visions Of this ACT shall be by Indictment
ins,hs Cour. Of common Pleas, 10 the coun.
~ where such offence is committed, or be-
fore some Justice Of the Peace, according
to The second section Of the ae. entitled
"An act granting Licenses and regulating
Taverns:" passed February II, 1885
Provided, That prosecutions under this oct
may be brought bstore the Mayor OF other
officer having judicial powers in any incor.
porated city or town in this State.
Sec. 3. 10 all prosecutions under the
provisions Of this aet, it shall not be neces.
sary TO sllsgs1cr prove the kind Of sPiri.u.
Gus liquor sold; but il shall be suihcient 10