Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-12-21
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES.
GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN;
WEDNESDAY, EVENING, DEC. 81. 1853

sSy- The Maine Law has been in operation
nearly three weeks, and the practical results are
now being looked for with good degree of in
terest. In this, and in the adjoining towns,
agencies have been established, stringent rcgu-
ations have been adopted, and disposition
manifested to see those regulations well en-
forced. We believe this is generally the case
throughout the county, unless it be among our
friends in iceland There, if we are correctly
informed, the township board seem inclined to
let Old Alcohol have chance to tarry yet sea-
son, and have, therefore, given the agent author
ity to sell rs a medicine, two quarts of spirits,
once fortnight, to each inhabitant desiring the
same. None of the medical profession reside in
that town. So every man is left to be his own
physician, and is at liberty to prescribe for him
self almost without restriction. There is no
township of equal population in Michigan where
a regulation of this character will work with less
injury than in iceland. But few, if any of its
cilizers are really addicted to drunkenness. Yet
we con not otherwise than regret the adoption
in the outset, Of a rule so much at variance with
the spir. of that enactment which, Of all others,
we have desired to see every where fully and
fairly tested.
Although there have occasionally come to
light unmstakable evidences that rum is not
wholly banished from our immediate neighbor-
hood, yet the law has certainly had a very mark
ed and sautary effect. The traffic in liquor,
openly at least, has been put down, and none of
the article can be obtained, unless covertly, in
any other manner or for any other purpose than
that contemplated by law. What we gather
from our exchanges leads us to conclude also,
that such is the case in most parts of the State.
There appears to be disposition generally, to
yield voluntary obedience to the law, but were
this not the case, and where open transgressions
have been committed the friends of temperance
have uniformly acted in decided manner.
The provisions of the new liquor law were
sanctioned by a decisive majority Of the popu-
lar vote, but the question of its constitutional.
ty, respecting which serious doubts are enter
tanned by many, is yet to come before the prop
err judicial tribunal. A Detroit Justice Of the
Peace has, we see, without waiting for deter
mination by the court of last resort, held the
law to be unconstitutional, and on that ground
dismissed case that had been brought before
him for trial; but in other instances suits have
been instituted and convictions had under the
law. 1t is conceded that The Justice had right
to decide the question Of constitutionality, but
his adjudication of course will have no control.
ing influence over any other tribunal than his
own. The next session of the Supreme Court
will commence on the first Monday Of January
BY agreement between the respective counsel
for the Carson League and the brewers at De-
troit, case is to be made up and submitted al
that time for decision We may therefore look
for final settlement of the question in few
weeks.
Meanwhile the course that should be pursued
by the advocates of the law and by all good cit
liens is apparent. So long as the liquor &C,
stands on our statute book as law, it is entitled
to respect, and should be implicitly obeyed W.
counsel submission to every law Of the lard, and
to none do we do so with more fervor than to
the one now in question. BY some the law is
considered, and sincerely, we doubt not, to be
at war with the Inherent rights Of the citizen
But far more have objected because they have