The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-18
THE UNLICENSED LIQUOR TRADE


THE UNLICENSED LIQUOR TRADE.
A few weeks ago we made repeated mention
of the fact that the State liquor law was ex-
tensively violated in this city and county.
We believed then that the evasion of the act
was attributable to the neglect Of the officers
who were charged with the duty Of seeing the
law enforced, and we, therefore, called on the
! Constables of the various Wards to require
| every person retailing liquor to show his
license, and in all cases where it was not
produced, to arrest the parties and have them
| subjected to the p. ins and penalties denounced
by the law against those selling intoxicating
drink without license.
We must confess that when we first under
took to effect this much-needed reform, the
prospect was that no other local newspaper
weuld aid in the work, and that our solitary,
though earnest effort would prove Intellectual.
But we have thus far at least been agreeably
disappointed in the fears we entertained of .
| failure to accomplish some correction Of
| gross abuse, and we must here and now duly
make acknowledgment of the newly-awalIened
zeal and activity of the Ward Constables in the
discharge of their duty in suppressing the un-
licensed liquor trade, and also the cordial
spirit with which the grand inquest for the
county and the Judges of the Quarter Sessi )ns
co-orerated in the good cause, and, together
with District Attorney MANN, efficiently
seconded the vigilant action Of the consta-
bulary.
The Grand Jury recently found true bills
against upwards of three hundred liquor
dealers, who were charged with prosecuting
their business without license. On Friday
last number of the accused parties were
tried in the criminal court, and all, but one
were convicted and promptly sentenced to
fine and imprisonment. A number Of the
alleged offenders pleaded guilty, prelerring,
} by that course, to throw themselves on the
mercy OF the court, rather than make des-
peraty defense against overwhelming proof o
, guilt, and in those cases the Bench marked
the frankness OF the culprits by extending Ia
them considerate clemency. In some in,
t stances the defendants made no claim of hay.
ing ever procured license, while others were
carrying on their business under licenses
2 which had expired and not been punctually
renewed. These two special classes of casel
2 show, most signally and conclusiYely, thai
2 the disposition to elude the requirements o
= the statute is very common, and that it never
, could have been INDUCED to any considerable
D extent if the officials, whose business it is t
, see the law strictly executed, had faithfully
exercised their authority in the premises.
The action already taken, however, and t,
which we refer with sincere qualification, is
beginning in the right direction, and encou
{ RACES the hope that it will lead to even NOR,
S important results of the same character here
after. 1t viii not do of course, to becom
content with any partial rectncation of
q grave civil and social evil when it is clearl,
I practicable to clear it out completely, roo
e and branch. Nor must the officers who hay
|. recently done so well in this matter OF tn
n unlicensed liquor traffic expect TO lull th
G vigilance of The community to sleep, snpl
G because they have lately discovered ft'
s LuLdied yiolators Of the Liquor law, an
= brought them TO justice. The work shoul
G rot he suspended until ii is finished u
c thoroughly, and not an offender is left to
r exposed and prosecuted. And here we deer
d it porcr to express our cordial commenda
Il ton OF suggestion made last week by Judg
r ALLISON. In calling attention 70 the fac
e that the act Of Assembly requires the licens
g to be displayed in a conspicuous place O
e manner in the bar-room of the dealer, th
d Judge verywisely and opportunely remarke,
that this was the only guide a constable coul
q have, and that if every tavern-keeper did nc
Y so exhibit his license he must not complain
o he Is indicted for selling without license.