Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-04-30
For The Oxford Democrat.
An Act for the Suppression Of Drink
ing Houses and Tipping Shops.

sale OF intoxicating liquors contrary 20 the
provisions Of law. Sections two and three
prohibit the manufacture Of these liquors
fJr unlawful sale, and regulate and restrain
the manufacture for any purpose. ! am
aware that there is difference Of opinion,
in relation to the propriety Of allowing
the manufacture Of intoxicating liquors
in this State, among Temperance men. II
the article is necessary Cor mechanical and
manufacturing purposes, and the sale for
such purposes !. allowed, why prohibi.
the manufacturer II the citizgns Of Maine
require one or two hundred thousand doll
lars worth Of alcohol for tho use Of her
artilans and manufacturers, why forbid her
own citizens to manufacture for these pur.
poses' IL appears to me tho part Of wis
dom, 81 long ~ We acknowledge the neces-
s,iy Of the article by allowing the sale, that
We should no, forbid the manufacture, and
thereby compel our mechanics and manu-
faclurers TO go out Of the State 20 make their
purchases. Tho provisions in section two,
relate to the sale by the manufacturer and
the conditions by which a mandatory may
be established. I,prohibits the sale to any
persons except municipal officers Of towns
and cities, who are by this act authorized
to purchase the same 70 be sold in their
several towns, by an agent appointed by
them, Cor medicinal, mechanical and manu-.
featuring purpose., and no other. IL pro-
yidea that the person manufacturing ior such
sale, shall first give a bond IN tho sum Of
Eve thousand dollars 10 the treasurer Of the
town where the mandatory !. established,
conditioned that he will no, sell ans liquor
contrary 10 the provision. Of this act that
hc will not in any way aiulicrat,any liquor.
that he will not sell any liquor eHcep, Of his
own manufacture that be will before tho
sale OF any liquor have the vessels contain
ing it conspieuously marked with bis own
name and the quality aud kind of liquor It
contains, aud tha, he will not sell less than
bHIhy EAi'HH " w A.lNNl'A AiA NAA'A
away at one time Tho bond !, 10 be signed
by sufficient surctics, resident IN the state,
and 10 be approved by the municipal othcer,
Of the town. Objections were raised agalns.
the provision restricting the sale 70 not less
than thirty gallons, IS many towns would
not wish % purchase that quantity Of liquor
at ono time. But tha, objection is fully
answered by provision in another section,
(sect. 81 which enables municipal officers
to purchase Of any agent authorized to soll
the sane. Section three relates 10 the pen-
al,ies for violating any Of the provisions Of
section two, and tho duties of municipal
/, officers IN relation thereto. Tho provisions
Of these section. commend themsnlyc, 70 my
appreciation. have always looked upon
those provisions in our prohibitory laws en-
tirely denying the right TO manufacture in
the State, Of doubtful cNpediency, Il not al
together unconstitutional lam aware that
it is an assumption Cor me 10 speak OF con.
stitutional laws. Never having had the adj
vantage Of legal education, and the bone
its resulting from n practice in our courts,
shall not arrogate 10 myself that knowledge
Of constitutional law which would enable
me to enter into labored discussion upon
this point, but suggest such thoughts as
present themselves u q common mind. Tho
inquiry arises, has the legislator, a right to
prohibit any citizen Of the State from using
his energies or skill in any occupation that
does not interfere with the rights u Others ?
Can the Legislature prohibit me from max
ing shoes, my neishbor from making chairs,
: another from burning brick, - long a. wo
do no, interfere with the rights Of o,hersI
Can they direct the kind Of pursuit tho
> farmer or mechanic or srtuan shall follow
Can they say TO tho farmer ho must not
. raise corn, or rye, or wheat; % the mo-
/ ehanic he must not build houses, barn. or
, stores? think not. They may put tho
mechanic under certain restrictions. They
may say that no need MT build in certain
/. localities. They may say to the artlan,
that he mus, not carry on certain business
in certain places. But where any Of these
individuals oder the procuct Of ,Leir in
dustry for sale. then tho state step. in and
directs or prohibits The farmer must cum
form 10 the regulations OF trade a. cstab.
lishcd, 50 with the mechanic and artnn.
The State have tho night /, say how many
pounds u corn or rye or wheat shall makca
bushel. They have a right - say that certain
things shall not DO done in certain localities.
Taking thi, view Of the rights Of the indi-
vdual and the State, has tie state the RICH.
TO prohibit the manufacture OF liquor which
she allows 70 b. sold, and which she ac.
knowlcses to be necessary ! hHk not
But when the manufacturer oilers bis article
for sale. then the State comes in and regu.
la,es and restraints him in the sale Or sbo
may prohibit the sale altogether. These
views suggest themselves to my mind as
reasonable, and as tho laws are supposed to
be founded in reason, and commend them
selves to th' common understanding, | think
these views are correct.
T.. W. WOODBURY..
A SENATOR ELECTED ny \ Low LETTER.
In u certain town IN this State letter ar
rived for young lady from her lover, on
the day of the election. The Postmaster,