The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-01-08
The Anti-LiquOr Law i'm Rhode
Island.

The General Assembly OF TINS state met, ny
adjournment on Monday last, in Providence
The session probably will not be long one,
still it will undoubtedly be one of unusual in
terest, as there are several important matters
to be disposed of, in the disposition of which we
NAV reasonably expect warm conflict OF
opinion.
The condition of the State Treasury, especially
with reference to the diversion of the School
Fund by the late Treasurer, will early claim
the attention of the Assembly. The question
of the Registered State Debt will in all proba-
bility be brought before the Legislature. The
question of abolishing Imprisonment for debt
will be raised in the House, and it is thought
that the Senate bill, which seems to accom-
plish the desired reform without harm to
creditors, will pass. The bill making ten hours
a DAYS labor, and regulating the hours Of labor
by minors in factories, will be reported upon
and discussed And by no means the least I'M
portant among the question which will come
up before the Assembly will be that of the Anti
LIQUOR Law, similar to the one enacted by the
LEGISLATURE of the State of Maine. There VIII
doubtless be strong opposition to the passage OF
such a law but we think if the friends Of
temperance come up to their duty, right Will
: ultimately prevail. There can hardly be
question raised rs to the final success OF this
law, or q similar one, throughout New England.
E 1t is triumphant in Maine, notwithstanding the
$ slight disturbances which have taken place In
some parts of the State at the attempt of the
, .ficers to execute the law. To show the state
of leeling-a few days since meeting was call
{ ed at Lisbon, to instruct the Representative
from that town, to vote for the repeal of the
louor law. The vote stood as follows For
the instructing resolution, 33; against It,
l47: or more than four to one. Similar meet
lings have been held in other towns and with
about the same result, not single town having
instructed its representatives to vote for re-
peal of the law.
DR.. Jewett, the eloquent and able advocate
of temperance, recently stated to an audi me e,
that the Maine Law would certainly be adopted
by the Massachusetts, Legislature at its ap'
preaching session. Petitions for it from oil
> parts of the State are to be presented on thu
22d inst.
In Vermont the people are awakening to tn
:, importance of this subject. Tire Legislature
:, at its recent session, enacted law foroiddin
. the employment of conductors, engineers brake
men. or switchmen, on railroads "who sha
make use of intoxicating liquors as beverage
+, The employment of such a person. with u
20 knowledge of the president, superintenden''
- onv of the directors, exposes the company
~ prosecution, and O fine of three hundred
three thousand dollars, besides liable for
damages that may result.
II Is it not time that Rhode Island should
ro earnest take hold of this question We think
ho is, therefore we say to its advocates, let n
he this session of the Legislature close Wltho
cb urging upon it the necessity Of such la
The only opposition of consequence to be app'
hendcd will be from those pecuniarily intere
IS: ed. All agree that if the traffic in intoxicatl
of drinks can be suppressed, so that there sh
,ut he no temptation or opportunity for drunk'
Ter ness, the effects cannot but be good. The OF
'as doubt about any law for such purpose
Ia whether an attempt to execute it, being
successful, might not do more harm tn
GOOD. Our opinion of our own liquor laws
vas slvays been that they we're worse than usei
the fr the reason, that they could not be execute
III. manufacture Of alcoholic drinks wit