Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-02-16

On Saturday, the joint special Committee of
the two Houses ofthe Legislature, 10 whom was
referred the petition of Geo. N. Briggs and one
hundred and fifty thousand other citizens of Mas.
sachusetts, for daw similar 10 the Maine Liquor
Law, reported bill similar, in many Of its provs-
IONS 10 that law. which has already been pub
llshed tnour columns As the bill is very long,
and will probably undergo some amendment, or
revision, before it is passed, we will give below
an abstract Of It's man provisions copied from the
Boston Journal.
The bill provi es for the appointment of agents
for the sale of intoxicating drinks in each CITY or
town, who is to give bonds in The sum of $500 to
sell it only for medicinal, chemical, or meobapi-
cal purposes. 1t allows the Commissioners of
the Counties, or the Mayor and Aldermen of
Boston, TO authorize such persons as NAV apply
TO them TO manufacture liquors, and sell the same
In quantities not less than thirty gallons TO be ex
ported out Of the Commonwealth, and for me.
chanicai and chemical purposes, or in any guam
titles to duly appointed agents of the towns and
cities within the Commonwealth. Bonds in the
sum of $4,000 are to be given for the faithful
compliance with the above conditions
Section makes the selling of any sprituous or
intoxicating liquors by any person other than the
ccSSsis; diqa also Ii give ednd ffo tfi sum fu
that he will not repeat the offence for one wear:
for the second offence $40 and costs, and bonds
as before; for the third and every subsequent con-
viction, $780, and costs, and imprisonment moi less
than three, nor more than six months In case
of nor payment, the offender is not to be entitled
10 the benefit of any off the acts of the Common-
wealth for the relief of poor prisoners, until he
shall have been imprisoned from two 10 four
months, according to the number of the offences.
Section makes 1t the duty of the authorities
OF each city or town to prosecute any parties vio-
latlng this act, on being furnished with reasona
Bile proof Of the fact.
Section refers to appeals and requires per-
son appealing, to give bond of 500 to prose-
cute his appeal, and an additional bond of 5000
mat ne Will not, during the tendency of the APP
peal, violate any of the provisions of the act
Section IL sets forth the penalties for a viola
ton of the provisions of this law. They are sim
liar to the Maine law, and are very stringent
No person engaged in the unlawful nlanufac-
ture or traffic in liquors, can sit upon iury in
any case arising under the act.
Cases under this act shall take precedence in
the Court OF all other, except criminal cases
where the parties are under arrest, and The pros
ecuting ohcer Is restricted in his privilege Of en-
terlng mol pros
The fifteenth section provides for searching for
and destroying liquors, and is very similar in lis
provisions to the Maine law II any ~ O voters
make oath that they have reason to believe thai
intoxicating liquors kept or deposited intended
Tor sale, IN any store, warehouse vessel or buIld
ing OF any kind, other than dweIling-house. n
search-warrant may be issued, and the liquors
taken and used in evidence, and DESTROYED A
Westinghouse may be searched on the oath or
affirmation of three credible witnesses that thew
have reason to believe that liquors have been sold
therein within one month. Imported liquors are
exempt from forfeiture if they are contained in the
original casks or packages, but the custom house |
marks aud certificates ofImportation shall not he |
received as evidence that the liquor in said cass
or packages, was imported therein.
Section IL makes it the duty of the CITY and
town authorities, when information is received.
to search for and seize liquors kept for sale in
shanties, tents, &C., upon public occasions. The
person IN possession ofsuch liquor to ne punished
by Imprisonment, and the liquor destroyed.
Payments cannot be exacted for liquors sold in
violation Of the law, aid no action can be main
tanned IN any Court ia the State for the recovery
Of liquors Or their value.
The above are The main features of the bill
There some sections of less importance which
we have omitted TO notice, and others which we
have only briefly mentioned. The bill is if any,
hing more stringent than the Maine law, particu
arly in relation TO giving bonds not to pursue the
rattle after arrest or conviction.
The general opinion at the State House seems
0 be that the bill will pass with rider submit
ing it to the people for final acceptance.
TICKETS FOR CALIFoRNIA.-We have re-