Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-04-06
THE MAINE LIQUOR LAW.

On Thursday last, in the House of Delegates
Mr.. LEWIS presented a petition of citizens of
Harrison county, asking that law may be passed
in relation to the manufacture and sale of intoxi-
eating liquors as beverage, similar to that recent
" enacted by the Legislature of Maine. The pc
tition was referred to the committee of Courts of
Justice.
As this law has been introduced into the Legis-
atures of several States, and may be brought for
ward In our own the present session, in accord
ance with the desires of the people of Harrison
county, we have thought that perhaps some
slight examination of its provisions, objects and
effects might not prove wholly uninteresting to the
reader.
The great popularity of this Mane Liquor
Law, as it is called, consists in the fact that it
absolutely prohibits the sale of Intoxicating liquors,
| except for manufacturing and medicinal purposes.
Its search provisions are broad and stringent-too
broad and too stringent for this latitude, we imag-
inc. Every conceivable preeaution has been
thrown around the act to prevent the introduction
and use of intoxicating liquors. Officers of the
law may search any where and any thing without
even the formality of warrant! Thus, then, the
whole community may be placed at the mercy of
malicious spy fanatic informer. Already
many gross outrages on the rights of persons and
property, have been committed in Maine, under
colour OF this law. Permit us to cite Il case in
point, related by the Boston Bee: s'The house
of Mr.. Davis, n Standish, Me-. was recently
bounced upon--and searched The result of that
search was, that about one pint of brandy was
found and seized, together with Mr.. Davis, who
was bound hand and foot by the searchers. The
lady of Mr.. Davis, it is said was roughly hand
led and thurst aside. The authorities thus far,
were of course successful. However, on the
other side, it has been shown that the liquor sez
ed was the prescription Of the family physician,
and ordered expressly for the purpose of bathing
child. An action has also been brought against
the 'informer,' charging him with perjury, and he
has been held to bail the charge. 1t was offer
ed in evidence, but ruled out by the court, that
the informer was under pay of the city of Port
land as spy against the dealers, &C." The Bos-
ton Post argues against the compatibility of
the law, and cites the following clause of the Bill
OF Rights, in support of its view: "Every subject
has right to be secure from all unreasonable
searches and seizures ohis person, his houses his
PUPcfot H"W 0tt HtS pOSScSo1OHS anu TO SNOW
how jealousy this article protects the citizen, it
declares that warrants for search must be saccons-
panied Nth special designation Of the persons or
objects Of search, arrest seizure and no auarrant
ought to be issued but in cases, and ec the form
aHties, prescribed by the laaos.''
We agree with the Post, that it does appear
odd to say the least. how members of the Massa-
chusetts or any other State Legislature, cam with
these provisions staring them in the face vote for
bill containing such broad latitude of search.
But this obnoxious feature constitutes no valid OBJ
lection. 1t can be easily modified. The law, it
is said, works we'll in Maine-better than even it's
most sanguine friends anticipated Under its be-
nign influence, f the reports of its advocates are
to be credited,) crime and pauperism are rapidly
disappearing III the principal cities, and peace and
quiet reign where revelry and debauchery for
merly held sway. The city marshal of Portland
states sthat it is impossible to estimate the differ
ence between the good order now prevailing in
the city and that which existed before the law
went into operations" and what is true with re-
gard to Portland is said to be equally true of all
| the cities and towns in the State. Another ia
teresting fact clearly establishing las its friends
| contend,) the wholesome effects resulting from
the passage of the law, may be found in the
circums lance that among those citizens of
Maine who approve of it, many qoho pere
VIGOROUSLY antemperate; but who, not now
being able to supply perverted appetite, have
regained their self-control, and are now glad that
| the temptation is removed beyond their reach
Having thus placed the end, objects and effects
of stThe Maine T,innor ,aw', hafora tho rao1..
we have performed all we promised at the outset