The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-12

~ tnouBnt Dy most people 10 indicate tnat the demo
Gratis are likely to have o hard tine in making
choice Of their candidates. ALG0MA.
Temperance and Maine Liquor Law Items.
THE Pennsylvania PRoHIBIToRY STATE coNvEN-
TON.
The Prohibitory State Convention assembled at
Harrisburg on the 9TH instant and organized by the
election Of the Hon. Eli Slifer, of Union, Prcsi
dent with number of Vice Presidents and Secreta-
ries. The interrogating committee submitted a
number Of letters, and among Others letters from
Gov. Bigler, Judge Pollock and others. The follow
ing are the interrogatores ofthe committee and the
replies OF Governor Bigler and Mr.. Pollock, the
wing candidate for GOVERNOR
NTERR0GATORIES BY THE PROHIBITORY LIQUOR LAW
COMMITTEE.
]. DO you believe law, prohibiting the manu-
facture and sale Of intoxicating liquors. except for
sacramenta medicinal, mechanical or artistical pur
poses, to be constitutional? and would its constitu
tonality, in your opinion, be affected by submission
Of its repeal to vote Of the people, provided ma
jOrity voted in favor of the law?
2 In the event Of your election, should the legis-
ature enact such law, will it receive your executive
sanction?
GOVERNOR BIGIER's LETTER.
HARRISBURG, June q, 1854.
Gentlemen:--I have been honored by the receipt
Of your communication of the 18th ultimo, propound
ing to me certain questions touching the subject of
a prohibitory liquor law.
To your first inquiry, reply, that the Supreme
Court of the State have repeatedly held, and con-
cur in the doctrine that the Legislature can exercise
all lawmaking power not expressly forbidden by the
state or federal constitution. Under this construc-
ton, believe the Legislature have authority to con-
troll the manufacture and sale Of spurious liquors;
but in the nee of that power it must be obvious that
law might be passed, which, in its details, would
be o manifest violation of the constitution and
bence the impossbility of answering your question
distinctly, without seeing the exact terms Of the
proposed law.
As to the second point in the inquiry, it must be
very clear that law constitutional in itself would
not be rendered otherwise by allowing the people to
decide by vote whether the Legislature should re-
peal it or not, no matter what that vote might be.
To your second inquiry answer that sincerely
deplore the evils Of incompetence and am now will.
ing, as have always been, to sanction any
TO mitigate, and, If possible, entirely remove the
vice; but ! cannot pledge myself to sanction law
the details Of which have not seen. The terms of
the constitute and oath Of Office would seem 10
forbid this course on the part Of an Executive. He
should be free to Judge Of the constutonality and
wisdom Of a proposed law after having fully ex.
amined and considered its provisions.
To Stephen Miller, JAS. Black, Jas. Piper, John
Jones, Geo. W. Stanton, Esqs., Committee.
JUDGE PoLLoCK's LETTER.
MILTON, May 3d. 1854.
Gentlemen-Your communication in references
to prohibitory law has been received, and In reply
say that the constitutionality Of prohibtory law
similar In Its essential features to the referred
to in your ntcIrogatories, having received Judi
cal determination by the highest courts Of several
OF our sister States, and the principle having been
recognized by the Supreme Court Of the United
States, am relieved from the responsibility of
first decision. These courts having affirmed the
consitutionality Of prohibtory law, and being Of
the highest authority, believe, upon principle and
authority, such law to be constitutional; and its
coDstitutionaiity, in my opinion, would not be af
fected by submission Of its repeal to vote of the
people.
Every measure of moral or political reform, sanc-
toned by the representatives Of the people, within
the limits of the constitution, should receive my
official sanction. The expediency and propiety Of
such laws are for the people, through therrcpresen
tasiyes and their will constitutonally declared,
should be respected by the Executive. II the peo-
pie demand, and their representatives enact such
law, their will should not be resisted by the exercise
Of the veto power-a power purely conservative, and
only to be exercised in cases clearly unconstituon.
al, or exhibiting indubitabe evidence Of hasty, in
furious and imperfect legislation. Such being my
views Of official duty in the premises, should the
Legislature, the constitutional exponents of popular
wil enact such law, !! would, In the event OF my
election, receive the Executive sanction.
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES POLLOCK
The business committee in the afternoon reported
series OF rei outions, approving of the letters OF
the wing and native candidates for Governor ana
declaring II ineXpedicnt 10 nominate candidate.
They deem the letter Of Gov. Bigler unsatisfactory
The resolutions were, after long discussion,
adopted, and the Convention, at III 4. W., adjourned
sine die.
TrMrFRAycY CONVENTION IN LowEIL.-The
Lowell Courier fays Our temperance friends are
making the most extensive arrangements for the
grand State Temperance Convention 70 be held in
this CITY, commencing on the evening OF the Goth Of
this month"; and continuing through the 2lst lay
and evening. Eminent speakers win be present.
IL win probably be monster meeting. The cars
from Boston, and nearly all the trains leading into
Lowell, will run for half fare. Rev. Henry Ward
Beecber Rev. DR.. Cleveland, of Northampton, Rev.
Dr. Gannett, Rev. a. A. Miner Rev. Rufus W.
Clark, Rev. DR.. Edward Beecher, Rev. DR.. Lyman
Beecher, and Deacon Moses Grant, Of Boston, will
be present.