American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-25
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH


Gil Of Washington win have an important duty
to perform, in finally acting upon the law re
speeting the traffic in intoxicating liquors. Thi
law does not affect the hotels and taverus Of tn,
city, but simply I'LL other persons who sell Of
barter such liquors in quantities less than /
pint. 1t originated with the Common Council,
by whom twas passed two weeks ago; but was
on Monday last materially altered and improved
by the Board of Aldermen.
Its object is to suspend all dramshops, oyster
house bars, and other establishments In which
liquors are sold, except where . a majority Of
The ,ehitc hoasekeepers residing on The side Of he
same square and on The side Of the square front
ing opposite ~here the establishment for the sale
or barter Of such enumerated liquors is proposed
TO be located or opened" shall unite an recon-
mending The granting Of such license TO particular
person The penalty imposed for each viola
ton Of this law is fine Of "not less than ten nor
more than twenty dollars, or imprisonment in the
courthouse for term not exceeding ninety days"
The Common Council will, no doubt approve
the alterations Of the Board Of Aldermen, and
it would be to offer an indignity to his honor
the Mayor to doubt for a moment that the bill
will receive his official sanction. We may,
therefore, regard as certain the creation of this
law; and we hail with delight its advent, and
offer our hearty thanks to its authors and to all
who have assented to its passage. 1t will prove
a just, humane, and benefcent law. 1t viii
remove from many neighborhoods in this city
the most baneful and pernicious sources of evil
they contain; it will remove from the young
the obscure haunts Of temptation to which they
covcrtly resort; and it will restore to honest
and honorable pursuits large number Of per-
sons who are now seducing men from the paths
of sobriety, industry, and responsibility. 1t
will, also, cause the people Of every square Of
the city to purify the neighborhood in which
they dwell, or to assume the responsibility Of
all the disorder and scandal to which n de-
graded grog-selling establishment may give
rise
We think we can discern in this bill the omis
sion of some specifications that experience will
call for; but it is on this account scarcely less
acceptable to US. Perhaps it is better that it
should not be over stringent OF the first. Let
it be enacted, and let it go into operation, and
let its effects be seen and felt If then it shall
be approved, and if the desire shall exist to en-
nance its efficiency, it will be well; but if the
citizens Of Washington shall desire its repeal,
we viii render a cheerful acquiescence in their
decision. We have no confidence in the wisdom
Of any law that has not the popular sanction.
Let, therefore, this law be perfected and give
to it a faithful and willing obedience, holding
to strict accountability every one who attempts
to violate the win of the community thus for
mally and deliberately expressed. Do this, and
Of the consequences proceeding therefrom we
shall never complain.
"Spirituous liquors, wines, cordials, mali
liquors, and cider" will still be sold freely il
quantities not less than pint by all grocers who
choose to deal in them; they will also be sold
in smaller quantities by those who can procure
the required recommendation, and by all keep
ample accommodations to every one. None
need complain Of the abridgment of their lib
erty to drink, and even to get drunk, should
their tastes so incline them. And yet there
will be closed up very large number Of moi
some rendezvous Of lazy and degraded sots, now
the sources ola vast amount of crime and misery.
There viii still be drinking and drunkenness; ;
but let us not hence underyalue the influence
of this law. Let us be thankful for all it shall
accomplish, rather than regretful that it cannot
accomplish more. 1t viii present no impedi-
ment TO the friends Of temperance in the prose-
cution Of their labors; but, on the contrary,
win, in its operation, afford them the practical
and tangible proofs of what may be done by dis
Greet, judicious, and gradual legislation.
The following is the bill in question, as
amended by the Board Of Aldermen, and to be
considered on Monday evening by the Common
Council
AN ACT nmendatory OF act laying tax shops,
portercelars, and confecoperes, and increasing the
tax ordnaries retailers theatrical amusements and
for other purposes.
BE Il enocted That from and after the irst Monday Of
November next the Mayor Is authorized TO issue licenses
for the purposes following and the terms and condi
tons hereinafter mentioned, TO wit:
For license to sell barter all kinds OF spirituou
liquors. wines, cordals malt liquors. and cider, In guam
titles less than pint, sixty dollars.
That before issuing any license aforesaid the Mayor
shall be fully satisfied Of the legal responsibility and good
character Of the persons applying for such licenses and
there shall also be before the Mayor the
Of majority Of the white bousckeepers residing the
same side Of the square, aud the side OF the
square fronting opposite where establishment the
sale barter OF such liquors proposed 70
be located opened, which recommendation shall be
certified by Commissioner Of the Ward as having been
signed aforesaid for the issuing OF such license Al
licenses under this act shall be made to expire the first
day OF November next ensuing the issue thereof
Sec. 2. And be IL enacted, That any person person.
convicted selling bsrtering either any Of the II
quors enumeratedn the first section Of this act contrary
to law, shall be fined not less than thar
twenty dollars for each oence and in default Of the
ment OF such ne, or Of giving such security for the pay
ment thereof shall be satisfactory the Police Magis
trae by whom Judgment rendered shall be commit
ted 10 the worshouse for not exceeding ninety
days.
g. And he enacted That all acts or parts of act,
inconsistent with the provisions OF act be and this
same hereby repealed
How beautiful is this October sun. how
pleasant are its breezes! how delightful the sky
above us, and the earth beneath! and how
-. IL. L.. Lr.