The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-03-15

Il ~
cient remedy their keepers should be ofa
character, and will be if the courts do their
duty, as safely to be entrusted with the sale
Of liquors for The excepted pufpcses. and un-
der medical prescription assny olhsi persons.
This will the more certainly be the case,
since all groggeries, or places established
merely for the sale Of liquors as beverage
will cease and the business Of hotel keep
ing confined 10 those who will have the more
extensive accommodations required 10 lodge
and entertain travellers. The fewer the num-
Der of them too, will enable them BY other
sources of profits TO make up 10 some extent,
those lost by ceasing to sell liquors as sdtink
In the view Of the committee, II il regarded
as dangerous 10 commence any reform, ell
iher Of prohibitive or restraining character
by repeal of all the license laws; but Tho
tel keepers are denied the profits of selling
liquors as heretofore, there is no room 10 in-
crease the license fee. and hardly an induce
ment to pay the present rates for the privi-
lsge OF selling in the excepted cases only
But the few numbers into whose hands the
business will be thrown may afford en- ade-
quate inducement TO many TO take licences
that they may sell to patients under medical
prescription, or in quantities to private fami.
lies. The license too, with the appreciation
OF cour. may, il carefully granted, confer =
certificate of character and make its profes-
sion al object
The sale heretofore authorized in quantity
80 email as quart, was only in degrss less
pernicious than sales 1t tavern bars, as the
small cost and ready facility in obtaining the
liquor from the neighbering grocery, afforded
an easy temptation to the solitary topper or
social party. This facility and temptation
will be greatly diminished by extending The
prohibition TO Eve gallons; quantity down
TO which the importer would in defiance ol
State authority, supply his customers in the
original package.
There is, ii is believed. no Infringement of
any constitutional provision by this bill, nor
any needlessly harsh provision producing
re. action in the minds OF The citizen we'll dis
posed 10 the cause of temperance, and indd.
cling willingness rather 10 submit to exis-
ting evils, then see the power Of the law but
TO doubtful issue with public opinion re-
voting under sense of harshness and inius-
tice, or conviction of the violation of
constitutional provisions. justly regarded as
sacred. -,-
Against the adoption of law prohibitory
in it's character, the committee do not con-
slider tie vote of last October ss decisive
There were 37s,O40 voters who took the
trouble TO attend the polls 10 vote for Cover.
uor, of whom but 321,775 cast their voice
either way upon the liquor question. There
was but majority OF 5,o3s votss against
prohibition; while 81 ,2e5 voters at the polls
refused 10 cast their votes for or against pro-
hibi,ion. Why, Obviously they were not
against prohibition, or they would have 80
voted. They we're generally for prohibition,
! il may Justly be inferred. as the committee
think, but hesiiateo from an apprehension
sha, an affirmative vote might sanction some
extreme and harsh Legislation, revolving 10
the sense of justice or invasive Of consitu-
tional rights. Under this aspect of the SUBJ
ject, therefore, your committee is impressed
| with the belief that the basis of public
opinion has been afforded and made known
10 the Legislature for law of prohibitory
character, bu, not for one extreme 10 its en-.
actious OF penalties The bill now presen-
| ted TO the consideration OF the Senate, the
committee recommend Is adjusted with a
fair and reasonable regard TO that public
| opinion wihsAt The support Of which no law
should be passed, or long continued on the
statute book. b Il
The committee are not unmindful that q
large revenue to the Slate Treasury will be
lost by the adoption Of a prohibitofy liquo'
law, the Auditor Generals report showing
IN income last year for Tavern licenses oi
| sis7, ,so2 is, of which sl42,0ss s5 came
from Philadelphia. As large as this amount
is, the committee consider II no compsnsa.
tion for the loss 10 the respective counties
arising from the mainiainancs Of prisoners
and paupsrs, made such by drinking inioxi'
eating liquors and much less can Il begin
| TO compensate the irreparabls damage done
thereby TO the people in their health, morals
and domestic happiness, 10 say nothing oi
the. peril induced to their immortal welfare
That must unquestionably be unsound legs-
lation thai raises revenue at so fsarlula cost
they cannot be faithful Legislators who seek
to fill The public treasury at the sacrifice oI
the constitutions, the happiness and lives o.
their fellow beings They cannot be true
representative Of their local constituency
who pay tribute TO the State that costs thai
constituency many times The amount pecuni
arily in los, labor, In prison and poor-house
expenses. Il is poor and profilless invest
msnt for parents to toll 10 feed, clothe ane
educate their children 10 The period of man
hood, or for our citizens TO tax themselves it
the extent Of millions every year 10 schoo
their children; If the owners of sroggene'
and public bars, may Al pleasure mar The
good work, and destroy the hopes Of parent
and of the republic, by destroying The men
| tsI, moral and ply sicaI capabilities of th.
people, thus raised and waived Of great cos
/ with the purpose of making them good ci.i
i zens. If Il il worth while making thest