The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-30
SATURDAY, JULY 80, 1864.
rHrIIoUOR LICENsE LAW.

An sumptuary laws are philosophically
wrong. They violate the most approved
principles Of political economy, es well as the
best coanrmed theories OF human nature.
The history Of legislation shows that 1t is en-
tirely vain In practice, and therefore absurd,
for thoee who make the laws Of State to
dictate what we shall eat, what we shall
drink, and wherewlthl we shall be clothed.
The natural sense Of private independence
rebels against such edlcts.
They offend, without improving those
whom they are intended to benefit Restraint
Is necessary condition of society. Every
citizen Of common intelligence understands
and admits the propriety Of giving up part
OF the absolute liberty that belongs to him in
q savage state, In order to secure all tho supe-
rior advantages that accrue to him from civil
government as a member Of civilized com
munity.
But when laws pass beyond the require
ments OF public order and safety to entrench
on personal liberty, they not only excite a
spirit of resistance, but they are rarely, If ever
enforced, for the simple reason that they can
not be executed. A notable instance Of this
truth Is the Maine Liquor Law, which has
been but imperfectly carried into effect in that
State, and has proved a signal failure in every
other commonwealth In which an effort has
been made TO introduce and apply it.
But while legislatures may not prescribe
what our food and clothing and dwellings
shall be, they may Impose certain indirect
regulations which do not encroach sensibly
on private discretion, while they really pro-
tect lndividEaIs against serious injury and
abuse.
An Illustration Of this kind of legislation is
our State liquor license law. That law does
not prohibit any citizen from drinking any
kind of Intoxicating liquor that he may crave.
1t does not require him to indulge that taste
In his own house alone, but allows him to
drink In public as well as in private.
But It does provide that no man shall re-
tail intoxicating beverages of any kind, unless
he has license from the State to engage in
that business. This law is eminently wise
and beneficial, for more reasons than one
Its first object is TO secure the people against
an unnecessary number Of liquor merchant:
In the shape of low groggeries, which are th'
fruitful hot-beds Of vioo, IniOory' ~Hd a"ir'.e
Its second object Is to protect the peopl
against quality of liquor that Is really no
lt for any being with a human stomach t
imblbe.
1t proceeds on the assumption that any ma
who cannot afford to pay license for tn
trade Is not able to sell liquors of the righ
kind. In other words, the law, If stricu
enforced, would crush out etiectually a
small and low back street ruu-holes, Wher
liquid poison Is dispensed at three cents
glass.
The third and last purpose Of the law is
make most profitable business pay reyenu
TO the State treasury. All of the object
recited are eminently ludlcious and con
mendabie, and ought to be realized consun
mately, fpossible.
But that result, however desirable, cann
be accomplished, unless those municipal of
csrs who are charged with the duty Of seeiu
the statute enforced do their duty faithful
and diligently, without fear or favor.
We are glad that our previous remarks c
this subject have had the effect Of stimulatin
our ward constables TO increased activity
arresting and bringing to due account befo
the Quarter Sessions all persons who are e.
gagged In violating the State law by sellir
liquor without license. We hope they W
not relax their efforts in the performance
50 important public duty, and we shall car
fully watch their course in the future.