The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-05-10
rae NEW LIQUOR LAW.


Whatever may be mems various opinions
az 10 the moral.effect off sthe principles upon
which the new liquor law is based, all intel
ligoat minds agree that its practical machine
cry by which 1t is TO commence operation is
very defective. Much of the objection TO il
arises from a want of plainnesssand fairness
o its provisions, as how II shall come into
force and this unfortunate confusion in It's
details win give rise 10 very much preiu.
dice against the principles oflhe law. IL is
q piece of inconsistent patchwork, the ground
of which was laid out by a man and mind
entirely ~'unasquainled with the existing law
on the same subject, and still more Ignorant
of the practical operations of tie old law. 1t
10 emphaticslly a Know Nothing statute,
Mer who had hardly ever read an act Of
assembly offered their amendments, or ra;h.
,er additions, without any reference to their
harmony with other provisions Of the bill
and in this coat of many colors it went
through the Legislature. Then judges and
members of the body which made the law
began 10 debate and dispute as 10 what il,
meant. Hardly any Two lawyers agreed as
to all its provisions, and in some districts
Judges decided against those in an adjoining
county. Some courts grant tavern licenses,
Others do not. To some counties merchants
obtain licenses TO sell liquor, in Others the
Treasurer issues none such.
All this is unfortunate. for the cause OF
temperance, for personal grievances and pri-
vaie feuds come thus 10 creale prejud ice
sgainst The cause itself. 1t is unfortunate be.
case II places men antagonists TO their prin-
ciples, and forces good men Cd the side Of
evil.
If the new law could once forcibIy get in
operation, we think would be found less
obnoxious 10 public opinion than il now
SCENE. But before that time will come, the
sentiment of the people will have elected
men 10 the legislature who will either entire
ly repeal ii or very materially change lis pro-
visions. SER 3D.
AT first it was very generally believed that
the new law designed TO renew tavern Ii.
-censes this spring under The old statutes but
that the laws which authorized county treas
urers 10 grant licenses 10 merchants and beer
houses were repealed. The following letter,
however, which we have received, puts a
different construction. upon the law, and in
accordance herewith, as it is from the State
authorities with vhich..the Treasurer must
soitle his accounts, the mercantile appraiser
will so amend his contemplated assessment
and the county Treasurer will Issue licenses
as formerly, but 10 expire On tho tot of ooto-
Der. The public notice Of the mercantile
appraiser has. been delayed until ate, court,
and 10 obtain an expression of opinion from
the State authorities. The opinion from MIR.
Franklin, the Attorney General, is as fol-
lows:
"Ailhoush the ihh Section of The act of
April 18th, 1856, entitled Gan Act 10 re-
strain the sale of intoxicating liquors" de-
clarss that no license granted between the
date of The act and The first Of July next, shall
authorize the retailing of liquors by innkeep.
ers after the first day of October next, yet the
actdoes not provide for any apportionmen, of
the price Of license for less period thar one
year; and innkeepers whose license have
been granted since the date of the act, must
therefore pay the price of whole years Ii.
cense, to enable them 10 continue their bu.
slness until the first day of October next, at
which time all such licenses will expire By
the express terms of the law.
AFTER the first day ofJuly next, no licenses
for The sale of liquors can be granted or is
sued in any other manner than that provided
BY the act. Until the first of July next, I am
Of opinion that the County Treasurers may
issue licenses as heretofore. The applicants
IN such cases must pay the prices now fixed
BY law for the whole year; and the mercsu-
tile appraisers must make their returns for
,he present year as usual; there being no
change made in their duties by the act, nor
any provisions for, an appointment by them.
THOS. E. FRANKLIN.
Lancaster, Afay q, 1855. Aty. Gen.