The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-12
N.E99w y AsAS


present, or until money shall have become
very much easier with the community gen.
orally. The lands Of the State In the valley
OF the Aroostook, and on the St. John, in
cluded mostly in the six eastern ranges of
townships, are gen,rally good settling
lands--many of them superior. but still
much good timber may be found on nearly
all Of these townships and If the State
desires to keep the greater portion Of this
territory in order to promote the settlement
Of the country, it would be well, and think
it important, for the interest Of the State,
to authorize permits to be granted to cut
timber annually, in n prudent manner, on
those tracts, until they are occupied by nc
tual settlers. If permits be not granted,
tho timber viii be cut by trespass; and
under judicious system Of permitting,
much may DO realized to the Treasury,
and the lands not be 80 far stripped but
that an abundance Of suitable timber will
remain for all purposes o. building by set
tiers.
The law for the suppression Of drinking
houses and tipping shops has been very
fully discussed by the people Of this State
and become q question OF prominence and
deep interest in our elections. The result
proves conclusively that the people are by u
very large majority in favor Of sustaining
that lava happy verdict for the cause Of
humanity throughout the land. Had Maine
declared against the law, her decision would
have been felt most disastrously by other
communities, where strong efforts are be-
ing made to obtain similar legislation. That
any law which human wisdom can devise.
will at once rid the public Of an evil so vast
and deep rooted a. intemperance, should
not DO expected; bit that the traffic which
produces It, can be circumscribed and con.
trolled by penal enactments, as surely and
as legitimately as other crimes, there can
be no reasonable doubt. And it is equally
clear that the people are determined to pur;
sue the effort faithfully, and give the law u
fair trial. They see and feel the terrible
ravages the traffic in intoxicating drinks has
made on society and its best interests
They feel deeply the loss Of many valued
citizens, who are constantly being hurried
20 the inebriate's grave. They fully realize
that the sale and use Of alcoholic liquors as
q beverage, are in direct conflict with the
health, morals, industry, peace and happi-
ness Of society, and that this fact is so ap.
parent, that those individuals who insist on
selling in violation Of law should be made to
feel its consequences. II is too late to plead
that making men inebriates. or giving them
tho facilities to become such, is no crime !;
none but the more depraved or reckless will
support doctrine so pernicious and absurd;
and il is believed that few are now engaged
in the traffic, in this State, except those
persons who are alike Indifferent to public
sentiment, the demands Of humanity, and
their own best interests. Persuasive efforts
having been exhausted on this class Of men,
the law should be enforced in protection Of
society and in mercy to the offender. This
important, statute has not had n fair trial.
Executive officers have been culpably neg.
ligent in seeing it enforced. Too often has
the officer. whose duty it was to honor and
execute il rs the law Of the Common wealth,
been found more willing to exculpate the Of
fender than to bring him to justice. Such
official derelic,ion Of duty emboldened yio-
lators of the law TO repeated offences, which
they would not have committed, with the
fully administered. This error must be cor
recicd, the law must be faithfully enforced.
The people demand that grogshops be closed
whether found in spacious saloons and popu-
lar hotels, where the temptation is present
ed in the most alluring form, or in the filthy
cellar, or den, where poor, degraded hu-
manity is made loathsome to the last de-
grse.
No man sells ardent spirits in violation
of this law through the promptings OF patri-
otism or humanity; he has no higher mo-
tive than reckless or sordid love Of gain !;
he should be held strictly accountable for
the mischief bis traffic produces. Let this
he done, and none will continue in the
business, except such as are madly ben, on
suicide. would suggest the Importance OF
so amending the law as to impose imprison-
ment for the first offence. The penalty for
the first conviction is iriiling, and the
schemes devised TO avoid detection IRE so
numerous that many sellers, undoubtedly,
realize large amounts from the business be-
fore u conviction is had.
Let the prison be opened for their recep-
ton and reformation, as it is for offenders
OF less magnitude, even the unhappy victims
Of their traffic, and be assured its prospect
i've, Christening influences will be felt more
restrainingly, than merely taking by fine,
from the pockets Of the dclinquents, a tri-
fling part of the money the business had
given them.
The willingness Of the rumsellcrs in other
states to supply those in the same business
and the facilities afforded by steamboats, and
other common carriers to bring liquors into
this state for unlawful purposes, call for
such improvement in tho law rs shall meet
this prolific source OF evil, and cut of a
great artery which is pouring the poisonous
liquid into this State. Other amendments
may be desirable to give efficiency to the
Law and meet the modes OF evasion which
the ingenuity and cupidity of determined
violators have invented.
i would direct your attention to the sub.
Jet OF extending the elective franchise to
certain Offices that are now filed by execu-
tive appointment or Legislative election
II reform Of this kind be desirable it will
be necessary to submit the question to the
PEOPLE FOE an amendment Of the Coustitu.
ton.
From various portions Of the State much
dissatisfaction is expressed with our present
Judiciary system. Under its operation it is
commended that justice is not, and cannot be
promptly and economically administered
II these serious charges be well founded,
a change is undoubtedly demanded. The
subject is one Of very great Importance, and
the present system having been so recently
established, wisdom dictates that no new
system be substituted without mature de.
liberation.
A people possessing democratic form Of
government cannot too highly regard the
Of Nh. ~suhN nj