Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-05-09

officers to prosecute all cases of infringe
ment that may come under their notice.
1t is also provided, that any person, ex-
cept hotel keepers, keepers of saloons,
grocery keepers, or confec toners, shall
be entitled to sell liquor for medicinal,
sacramento, culinary and mechanical
purposes, upon presentation to the Coun-
ty Judge of a certificate, signed by twelve
persons, residents of the township in
which he lives, that he is of good moral
character, and citizen of the county
and State. He is to give bonds in the
sum of one thousand dollars, and keep a
registry of his purchases and sales, as
required of an agent under the old law.
Any person making false statement in
regard to the use for which such liquor
is intended, is liable to fine of 10 dol
lars for the first offence. Any teamster,
stage-driver, common carrier, or Railroad
employee, bringing into the state intoxi-
eating liquors, without a certificate from
person authorized to sell such liquors,
properly certified by Justice of the
Peace, is liable to fine of twenty dollars
and Imprisonment in the county Jail for
thirty days.
The license law is also exceedingly
stringent, requiring the applicant to give
bonds in the sum of $1,000, conditioned
that he shall keep an orderly house and
allow no gambling He shall pay not less
than 800 per annum for license. Fur
nishing liquors to minors, either gratui-
tously or for pay renders him liable to q
fine of $25; and fine of $50 for sell
ing to an Indian, insane person or idiot
He is to pay all damages sustained by in
dividuals growing out of sales of liquor,
and also all pauper or criminal expenses
resulting therefrom. Married women
may sustain suits against him for DANA
ges. If any one becomes public charge
in consequence of the use of Intoxicating
liquors procured Of him, authorities can
recover damages against him. In all
suits for damages, it is only ne cessary to
prove that the dealer sold liquor sufficient
to produce intoxication, in order to rem
der him liable on his bond.
We present the subject to our readers
thus succinctly, in order that they may
understand the issue presented. 1t APP
pears to us that those who desire to en-
tirely do away with the sale of liquor
could best promote their object by vot-
ing for license; for, certainly, no man
who believes that the law would be en-
forced, would ever consent to take out IL
cense under it. We have always favored
the adoption of good license law, be-
lieying it would do more good, and be
more generally respected than any pro-
hibitory law that can be passed. 1t
would place the traffic in the hands of
honorable men, whose own safety and in
terest would prompt them to free 1T from
abuse, and do away with the deception
practiced by both agent and buyer under
the present law But such law We do
not conceive this to be. 1t is by far too
exacting in its provisions. The legisla-
ture knew the people would never adopt
it, unless they were willing to do away
with the traffic in toto. That they are
not so inclined is evidenced from the fact
that the law has been defeated wherever
submitted to them.
We, therefore, have but little choice
as regards the matter. We object to
all prohibitory laws from principle
We believe them tyrannical and Cypress
i've, and generally incapable of accom-
plishing the end for which they are Gre
ated. The former prohibitory law has
done little else but place in the hands of
a few men a lucrative business, and coun-
tenanced falsehood and deception. 1t
has not even caused the sale of better
liquor, as was evidenced from the amount
that took solid form last winter. The
made to it, while rendering
it less Objectionable in one sense, as re-
CARDS its monopoly, has in another made
it still more SO by an increase of its ty-
provisions, and whether license
is adopted or rejected, we shall be equally
well satisfied.
NEW ARRIVALS.