Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-09-13

prohbitory Iiluor law, which mcl hero
some months ago, appointed % committee
10 iulcrorolo the several candidates md
lay their replies before the body over which
you preside. The chairman OF that com.
mlDlco has addressed me, nquung whclh.
cr / believe that law prohibiting the
m0nuacDmcandsolcornIoxicoung drinks,
except for certain specified purposes, Is
constitutional
! suppose cannot mistake the meaning
of this interrogation. It is, Of course, not
prompted by motives OF mere curiosity
My private sentiments are not worth to
you, the trouble of asccraining them
But you desire to be informed how far
my judicial decisions may be counted on,
as favorable 10 your views OF the subject.
If reply in the affirmative, you will re-.
gard it as a promise 10 be with You when
the question comes before me and if /
break the promise, after being elected by
your votes, will justly be exposed to the
charge Of obtaining the Office by means of
false prclcnccs. lrmy answer be the 9TH
cr way, you will know how to disurm an
ayowcd opponent OF the power, which he
might use 10 your djsadvantagc. These,
! think, are the only reasons that could
induce you TO question me on such sub
jec'.
know the value Of your votes. do
not underralc the power YOU will probably
exert in the next election. And even i'll
were not Il candidate at all, would feel a
natural anxiety 10 win your respect, and
escape your ccnsuro; for no man is bet.
ter assured than ! am, that some Of the
best hearts and soundcst heads in the coun.
try are engaged in the present movement
for probjJiory liquor law. Neverthc-
less canno, answer your question con-
sjstcntIy with my sense Of proprety and
| am not without the hope, that my rca.
sons for declining will be entirely salisIac.
tory.
When you speak Of a law to prohibit
the manufacture and sale Of intoxicating
liquors, | take it for granted you do not
mean so scnscIcss thing rs mere ma.
ked prohibition, without adi&jng a penalty,
or providing the means for its execution.
The law passed in Maine is the model on
which the other States have generally fra.
med theirs. believe the one proposed al
the last session Of our legislature was al.
most literal copy Of the Maine law. Its
constilu,ionaliiy did not seem TO be doubt.
ed by any one Of its numerous and able
advocates. But it was violently opposed
on constitutional grounds, by others, who
are as intelligent and conscientious men
as any know in the commonwealth In
some Of the states, the power 10 pass il
was not challenged. In New York, on
the other hand, the Governor declared
it to be wholly inconsistent with ihe pru.
cjPals Of free government, and for That
reason refused /; his signature. Such, al.
so, was the unanimous opinion Of the su.
prcmc judicial court Of Massachusetts -
and the highest tribunal in Michigan, com.
posed Of eight Judges, stands at this mo.
mcut equally divided. Io1, probably,
think it quite clear. But YOU must no,
forget that there are others who think II
equally clear against YOU. Il is. at ,eas,
doubtful enough % have produced conflict.
and divisions among statesmen, Judge.
and lawyers, as among the MASSES of ,n,
people. Ilis moreover, question orcrca
magnitude. Everything is importan
which touches the constitution. 4 iulaC
never acts under responsibilities SO higI
as when he deals with the great charter
by which free State holds its liberties
and, Il any part OF the constitution is more
sacred than another, ii IS that whicl
marks the boundaries between Legislative
authority and the reserved rights of the
people. Besides the law on which vol
ask my opinion IS one which will directly
affect the character, morals, property unC
busIne5Ss OF the who,c population Of The
commonwealth.
Here, then, is much debated and yex
ed question Of constitutional law-impor
tant in every aspect-which must com,
r.. A.. C......,..- 4, , r. 1.