Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-04-18


HE AMENDMENTS TO THE LIQUoR LAW.
The amendments to the liquor law submitted
10 The House on Friday, by the majority of the
special committee on The subject, are designed TO
make the law still more strngentin its operations
and to Obviate certain objections 10 its Practical
workings. The main features Of the law are not
altered. The most important changes NAV he
briefly slated The number Of agents TO be an
pointed by the town municipal authorities. ia
restricted. Agents and manufacturers of l,ouors
are required 10 keep a minute record of their
saes. Fines and forfsilures are TO revert 10 the
Commonwealth, ms ED of to the towns. and
Justice Of the Peace residing in the town where
the otencs Is comm tt d shall not on that account
be deprived of jurisdiction.
The law as at present makes it the duty Of The
Mayor and Aldermen, or the Selectmen. or anv
one OF them to prosecute for violation of the law.
The amendment devolves this duty upon every
constable, city marshal, chief of police. notice
officer, and Waterman
The penalties for violation Of the law, are not
materially changed by the amended BILL Under
Ire law as at present, the penalty for the first con-
Vletion, Is fine of 500 and costs of prosecution
and in default Of payment, sixty days in the COM
mon Jail, with bonds of not less than $4,000. no,
to violate the law again within a year. The
amendment makes the penalty 500, wilhou,
costs, and the like alternative and bonds 1t is
proposed to strike out the provision making de.
livery from store. dwelling. house, &C., priaao
fdcle evidence of sale, and 10 substitute therefor
''of sssssFldence which shall satisfy the ury thai
the party indicted makes business Of selling spir
huons or intoxicating liquors contrary to law
The moduS operGadi of making complaints Il
Is proposed TO change. Under the law as at pres
ent, any three persons voters in the town or civ
wi fho aioTnt et,, n
complaint. 1t is proposed 10 change this 10
''any three persons, being of full age and compe-
tent to testify in civil cases''
The words e chief Of polce'' are inserted
wherever the words ''city marshall occur. with
view to meet the recent change in the police
organization of Boston
Authority is given by the new bill to seize bar.
rels, casks, demlohns and other articl. $ used in
selling liquors as well The liquors, and thew are
likewise made conraband, and liable to be de-
stroyed by decision of the Court. Provision il
also made tor the preservation aad sale by tn,
town agent, OF any forfeited liquor which in tn,
opinion Of the Justice or Judge is pure and una
duterated and suitable for use for mechanical an,
medicinal purposes.
The provision in the present law, by which
custom house marks on liquor are declared no, adj
inissa6e as evidence that the contents of The mack
age were imported, is struck out,
A provision is added for the punishment of an,
person who shall bring into the State spiriiuous OF
Intoxicating liquors, with intent TO sell the same
IN violation Of the law
-, These are the most important changes proposed
There are other mostly verbal changes. which do
not affect the main features Of the bill. The ma.
JorIty report, recommending these changes, il will
be seen, was signed by eleven members of The
COMMITTEE. That of the minority, recommend.
ing the unconditional repeal of the liquor law
was signed by seven members -Four of the
COMMITTEE did not Ign the report Boston Jour
nal.