The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-01-16

the traffic, have enacted a law which is
breaking it up root and branch, and casting
ii from their soil as an outlaw Aban-
doning the old system of attempted regula-
ton and conviction of rumsellers, by the
testimony of their customers and confed-
crates, they have declared war upon the
liquor itself and enacted law which makes
it liable to summary seizure and destruc-
tion, when kept for the purpose of sale,
except for certain legalized purposes. The
possession of liquor is made thereby evi-
dence of an intention TO sell, unless the
contrary is shown. 1t is made an outlaw,
whose presence is unlawful in the State
The old system of uncertainties and delays,
is done away with. II works surely aud
eHectuaIly. 1t avoids the effect, by destroy
ing the means calculated to produce it. So
men have always acted and legislated in
regard to similar evils. They have not
been so foolish as to seize and punish the
counterfeiter, and still leave him in undis-
turbed possession Of his dies and implements.
They have never seized and punished the
smuggler, and still left him his vessel in
which to carry on his illegal trade; or the
gambler, without destroying his implements
of deception. Other provisions of the law,
provides suitable penalties for those who
ssM It further provides, that no suit shall
be maintained to recover pay for liquors
sold. It has been in force in Maine, a little
over six months, and in that short space,
has, by its practical operation, almost en-
tlrely pnt an end to the traffic, and conse-
quently to drunkenness. Of the effective
ness of its operation, there is abundant tes-
timony, and this effectiveness results chiefly
from the power to seize and destroy liquors.
In answer to inquiries lately sent to gen
tlemen in various parts of Maine, the Hon.
Neal Dow, who drafted the law, says: "Con.
fiscation and seizure are the great things
with the speed and certainty with which
penalties follow, no evasion will succeed"
Rev. F. Yates writes in answer to the same
query "Unquestionably this removes all
deception. The rum casks cannot lie, and
they are the only witnesses to be trusted"
Prof. Stowe says "To attack the liquor
itself, rather than the drinker Or seller, is
the true policy If there is no rum, the
drinker cannot drink, nor the dealer agi-
tate" Other testimony might be added,
but this is sufficient. Of its efficiency in
suppressing the traffic, we give the follow
ing Neal Dow says: dealers have given
up; there are no grog-shops except few
low holes, where rum is sold very secretly"
Mr.. Yates says ain many instances, dealers
have already invested in other enterprises,
and some are pleased with the change, and
strongly advocate the law" Prof. Stowe
says "Mostly they abandon the traffic,
and get their capital out of it, except the
low and desperate. This is great excel
lency of the law, that it makes capitalists
afraid to invest" Rev. G. J. Palfrey, says
"The trade for the present, is completely
broken up in this town" DR.. Rust says
"Dealers generally abandon the traffic vol
UNFAIRLY" Compare the effect Of this law,
with the temporizing regulations heretofore
tried, and mark the difference. One State
in our Union can boast that the dire mon
ster is dethroned within its limits and this
has been done by discarding all doubtful
measures, and adopting those which cannot
fail.
The effect of thus suppressing the traffic,
as might be expected, is seen in the dlmln-
ution of crime, pauperism, ahd their atten-
dant evils. An official statement, lately pub
lished, giving the number of commitments
for crime in the city of Portland, for the
months of June, July, August and Septem-
her 1850, when the law was not i'll force,
and for the same months of the past year,
when it was in force, gives the following
committals to the watch house In lo5O,
2O6, in 1851, 68. Decrease, 1873. Commit
ted to the aims house in 1850 for drunken
ness. IL. In 1851, and this difference,
the superintendent says, is in consequence
of the suppression of the sale of liquors
Cases of larceny, with conviction, tried in
the criminal court in 1850, l8. In 1851, 4.
Cases of burglary, larceny and arson re-
ported in 1922, in 1871. For four
previons to the taking effect of the
laW,there were "A fires and alarms for the
four subsequent months, 5.
1t is also stated by reliable authority,
that during the month Of November last,
in Portland, city Of 10000 inhabitants,
not single act sofl disturbance has Oc-
CURED II the streets, and not a single per
sof mas been committed to the watch house.
Compare this with our rum cursed cities !!
Such law is better than any preventive
police. The world will never know the
amount of crime caused by liquor, until
this traffic is suppressed, but the above fig
ures afford some data from which to Judge
But they do not tell us, how many burdened
hearts are relieved of their load of sorrow,
how much of want and destitution avoided,
how many reclaimed from vice. by its sup
preston in this single city
Objectionable is objected that such a
law is an invasion of the private rights of
individuals; that it divests them of private
property in an unwarantable manner To
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