The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-11-06
THE MAINE LAW.


We commend to our readers the following
careful survey of what the Prohibitory Law
has done for us so far and what we may ex-
pect from it in future. We find The article
in the Lansing Republican.
The Prohibitory Liquor Law has been in
operation about five months; period long
enough, perhaps, to afford some data for a
correct estimate ofits capabilities for good and
of its probable tendencies for the future 1t
is a most important law: it affects every fami-
ly, and we may even say, every person in
the State; it has attracted much discussion
and it may, therefore, be profitable to notice
a few points IN the manner of its working.
l. The present statute, thus far has stood
the test of constitutional objections. No part
Of the law, 50 far as we can recollect, has
been declared unconstitutional by any court
in this State; nor do we know that any APP
proaches have been made towards such re-
suit. The friends of the law have no fears
for it on constitutional ground. The only
thing which seemed to threaten a notification
Of the object Of the law, was a.clause in the
act itself, permitting the sale ofimported liq-
uors. Some dealers claimed the right to sell
any imported liquors, in any quantity, from,
the original package, This claim, if fallowed,
will of course flood the State with foreign lq-
uor. But in the cases carried up, the courts
have decided that the liquors must be sold an
the original package, which must contain not
less quantities than are prescribed by the laws
of the United States
2. As to the general enforcement of the law
hovn t,lr -
information, by personal observation, and by
inquring of those, both friends and enemies
Of the law, who have travelled in different
parts of the State There are six or seven
hundred organized towns and city wards in
the State, in about all of which, when the
law came into operation, intoxicating Liquors
had been freely and openly sold for years.
We have not seen, nor have we yet heard, of
a single place in which any one of these sell
lers has openly, and without any concealment
or reserve, set the law at defiance by pursu-
ing his business for the last five months, in
the same open, unreserved manner that he
did before the law came into operation. We
do not pretend to say that no such instances
have occurred; for it would be strange indeed,
if law of this character should be Immediate
ly and fully executed all over the State, in
tracts of country extending to the extreme
verge of civilization. But what we say is,
that we have not seen or heard Of q continued
open violation of the law of this character;
nor have we heard of its open violation at all,
except in three or four places. We are assur-
ed by a certain class who use liquors, that
they can get them in nearly every town; but
Ill IL
not sold openly, but kept concealed from
public view. Here, then, is one point thus
far established; the law is not openly and
perseveringly set at defiance.
g. The value of liquors retailed has largely
increased. Dealers, who lay themselves ia-
bic TO prosecutions, very properly indemnify
themselves by advancing the price of the con-
traband articles.
A. The amount of liquors consumed in the
State has Immensely diminished, although
there is no doubt that much is illegally sold.
5. The greater part of the consumption is
by respectable people. Sots, confirmed drunk
ards, and the most degraded class, have great
er difficulty in getting supplies.
6. The law is very generally enforced
From private sources, and from reports in the
papers, we hear of prosecutions in all por-
tons of the State. Sellers are usually con-
victcd; fines are imposed and paid; and, in
some instances, sellers have been imprisoned.
In tho various trials, the law has sometimes
been cvaded but in no instance has it been
broken down.
Z. No considerable popular opposition to
the law has been made We7have heard of
only one or two projected mass-meetings 10
oppose it, and these were so feeble in point
of members, talent, and influence, that they
showed rather the weakness than the strength
of the cause they advocated. The law is op-
posed almost exclusively by those who habit
ually use intoxicating liquors. Among its
opponents may be esome who never use such
beverages, but we do no: know any Of that
description.
8. The law, in its provisions, and thus far
execution, has met the expectations of its
friends. It's beneficial effects are every where
seen in the quiet and deccncy Of bar rooms
and groceries, and the rareness with which
people are seen in public places.