Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-11
THE LIQUOR QUESTION
HOUSE OF REPR SENTATIvEs.

HOJSE VI kEfR SENIAIlN Els.
(De6rred Debate. Continued.
Mr. Dewitt next addressed the committee He
assumed the proposition that the Legislature had
right to lcglsate upon immortality, per unless
that immortality iuterleres with the rghts of indi
viduaIs He commended that the Legislature had no
right to pass a law TO pr, vent ii man from taking
dram il he desired TO do so. He would not deny
that the Legislature had the right to legislate to
prevent the evils growing out Of the incorporate
use OF spirituOus liquors.; on the contrary, he ad
mtted that the Legislature had the power to pass
such laws as would have a tendency to prevent
public drunkenness, but this power did not extend
the prohibition OF the temperate of liquor as
a beverage liz regarded the Maine Law as not
only unconstitutional but impracticable. The re
strictve laws OF England Ireland and Scotland,
aud the fifteen gallon law of Massachusetts, ought
to satisfy every man of the impOicy Of prohbtory
law. He referred to the operation Of the prohibit
tory law in England in the latter part of the reign
of George |, and the early part Of that of George
H. TO show that such laws become odiOus Policy
a. well as humanity forced the commissioners of
excise 10 mitigate the penalties OF the English pro
hibtOry law before its repeal by Parliament in l742
And similar results may be expected from the ope-
ration of similar laws in this country. He would
inquire whether any member on this floor desired
to bring evils like those which have always resulted
upol this State? Such law could not be enforced
here We have many evidences of this fact in
those States and countries where similar laws
or have been in force. In England, the officers
charged with enforcing the prOhlbitory law, did not
derive their appointment from the people, as
they do in this country, and if they could not en-
force the law there how could similar law be
enforced here?
The prohibitory or Maine Law, he said. proposes
tb,at in amir
which the Legislature has the right to do, but it
goes farther aud proposes to prohibit the use not
only of spirituous but of vnous liquors a bever-
age. This, he commended the Legislature hal no
right to do He had advocated district system,
but if he could not get that system, he was willing
20 vote for the best that could be adopted by the
Legislature, provided it was not inconsistent with
his sense of right and duty.
lie was satisfied that the people demanded a
reform in regard to the liquor traffic, and he felt
that some reform needed. The tipping laws
have Justly become very odious to the people OF
this State, in consequence of the evils that have
grown out Of their operations. The people de.
manded a remedy for these evils from the present
Legislature, and il was question what kind Of le
glsation would afford that remedy In cases Of
this kind the great difficulty with legislators is TO
determine the proper line OF distinction between
the rights OF individuals and OF community. Where
extremes present themselves, the middle ground is
generally the safest and the best for the people at
large lie advocated the conservative ground upon
the question under consideration He regarded
the principles OF the bill of the gentleman from De-
Kab (Mr. Brien) as of that conservative character,
as occupying a middle Ground, aud with slight
| amendments, he thought the bin ought to become
a law. lt threw strong restrictions around com
munIy, aud at the same time guaranteed TO every
citizen his rights. Under such a law, society
would be materially benefited, while mans
rights would be invaded. He would not discuss at
length the provisions OF that bill, as this had al
ready been done ably and uuanswerdbly by its
thor, (Mr. Brien.l A motion had been made TO
strike out the nquiSitoral power. He regarded
that one of the best features OF the bIl-as ne
cessary to secure its proper obserTance-and be
appealed to members TO retain this feature oil the
bill
he hoped the members would be able to agree
upon some conservative measure, which would
receive the sanction OF the Legislature and become
a law.
Mr. Meek called for the reading Of bill which he
had introduced ia the early part of the session, pro-
vidug for submitting the question OF restraining
the manufacture aud sale Of spirituous liquors to
the people in their primary capacity. he bill
having been read,
Mr. Meek said he almost regretted having pro.
posed bill upon this question, since there seemed
20 be so little disposition on the part OF the House
TO meet the expectations OF the people throughout
the State He had done So however, in obedience
to the ishes Of his constituents and be hal hoped
the House would have acted upOo Il long ago. De
did not intend 10 discuss the abstract question Of
temperance IL was like the "aarp Of thousand
srings,' upon each string OF which there had been
more than thousand players. During the present
session there had been upwards OF forty bills on
the subject introduced into the House. This fact
alone indicated very clearly that public sentiment
wss arossvd and demanded the enactment Of las
restricting the traffic IN spiFtuous liquors
In his canvass before bis people he bad taken
position upon this question, and in honest effort
TO carry out thai position, he bad az at early day
OF tie session submitted bill for the consideration
OF the House, bot il had gone 70 the Committee on
Tipping where il had slept Until nov. The pro-
visions o. that bill be was persuaded we're SQUAD
in pulley and correct Ia principle Il proposed 70
submit the restrictive or prohibiory principle ~
the people Of the State Tor their ratification OF
lection at the ballot box. Tue bill sas definite and
proposed definite measure. which, If opted bf
majority Of the people OF the State, be vas 10 fayer
OF enA ting il into a Law. He had hoped the popu
lar vote ~enld have been taken before the adjourn
ment Of the Legislature, but the session nos
too Ear advanced 10 do more than give it 70 the
people TO act upon Tor the instruction Of the next
Legislature.
This, be conceived. was the only way in which
dis VeKed and psFpsElng question eOed be sesGisi