Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-08-03
GOV. BIGLER AND TEMPERANCE.

A stupendous effort is now foot to defeat
the reelection Of our present unexceptionabe Exc
cutive and without the employment of those fair
and ordinary means which ought to be used IN
every political canvass conducted honorably-
Trick, fraud and humbug the weapons now in
use by our opponents. and among the most unfair
of all is the attempt to fasten upon the Governor
the character of an anti-temperanCe candidate.
1t sometimes, nay often, happens in this world
that get credit for virtues they never posses
sed, and are made to represent principles against
which every act of their lives has been an effort
In the case before us Governor Biger is charged
with hostility TO temperance reform, at the same
time that Mr.. Pollock is held up aProhibitionist
while the facts that every official act of the
former has favored the prohibition principle, his
life is a pattern of temperance in all things, and
the reputation of the latter is that of winebbber,
whose first ostensbe effort in favor of the reform
has yet to be seen.
Let us look at the reports The last Legislature
enacted that, ''whereras, it is represented that
large number if not nrauIfey une cIJIzeIIs Of
this commonwealth are deeply impressed with the
necessity of the passage of prohibitory liquor
law therefore be it enacted that the qualified
tcrs of this commonwealth are hereby authorized
on the second Tuesday of October next to vote for
and against a law, which shall entirely prohibit by
proper and constitutional regulations and penalties
the manufacture and sale of Intoxicating liquors,
except for medicinal, sacranental, mechanical and
artistcaI purposes" Well, what was done with
this bill by the Governor On the twenty-eghth
day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty
four it was approved by him in due form.
The friends of the Maine Law, not satisfied with
this arrangement of the question, as being too far
in the future and not meeting present emergencies
formed and brought forward a bill highly strin-
gent in its provisions and which if properly en-
forced is perhaps as much as we aeed in the pre-
mises. This was the bill ''to protect certain do
mestic and private rights and to prevent abuses
in the sale and use of Intoxicating drinks" II
fixes the penalty for furnishing Intoxicating drinks
to persons of incorporating habits, to minors and
insane persons at not less than ten nor more than
fifty dollars, and inevitable imprisonment for not
ess than ten nor more than sixty days. 1t author
lies any member of the family, or blood relation
of an incorporate person, magistrates and over
seers of the Poor, to give notice toinnkeepers and
merchants, forbidding them to furnish drunkarCls
with liquor on pain Of conviction for msdemeanor
and punishment as aforesaid. It also gives a civil
remedy against those violating the law, to recover
damages for injuries consequent upon the sale OF
liquors to persons as above named. 1t imposes
penalty upon persons performing tho marriage
ceremony when the parties are intoxicated, and
for adultering liquors 1t encourages just prose
cutions by rewards, denies the right Of action to
recover the price of liquors sold and gives the
court the power to revoke licenses where the hol-
ders of them violate the provisions of this act.
What did the Governor with this On the eighth
day of May last he signed the bill.
But this is not ground Of accusation. More must
be done, not to advance the cause of Prohibition,
but create dilemma in which they may tram
mel an upright Executive and toll his fair escut-
cheon. Next he is arraigned before the designing
inquisitors of a politico- temperance convention,
md here they proclaim catch. Letters ed
dressed to the candidates Of both parties. Pollock
who never aided temperance in thought word or
doed, but who is the. accomplished courtier Of
faction Just answers as he is desired to do. Bigler
both by principle and practice temperance man
responds with prudence, just as he ought. and
both BY bis letter and in conversation. at home
and abroad and always, declares himself the friend
Of the reform and that he will sign any proper
enactment in furtherance Of il.
Here now are the facts as they stand on one
side and the other We ask democrats and the
candidates of all parties Who is the better tenn
perance man
ol-Dota Houses Of Congress have votad 70 al
ioura on tbs ith Of August, AZ uoon
0z-Oovernnr William Bi8ler IS now at Bedford