The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-20
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
YOn ADDIE1oNAL LocAn 1rnMs SEE rnInn rAanl

The TEMPERANCE MovBMBNT-C CONSIDERATION
OF THE LIQUOR DEALERS AT THE PUBLICATION
OF THE New PRoHlBIToRY LAw.-The laws of
the State of Pennsylvania regulating the
traffic insspirituous liquors, hitherto in force are
practically obsolete, and no attempt is made to
enforce their provisions. IL is true that some
attention Is paid to the so-called license law
and that most, If not all, of those engaged in
the retail liquor business are accustomed to
apply for license under i. The fee is only SlO
which any person can well afford TO pay In re-
turn for the legal character which it imparts to
his his occupation " is also true that this year
the City Commissioners have refused to grant
licenses TO large number of applicants, who
were notorious for their looseneSs of character,
and an utter disregard of decency in this
manner of conducting their establishments IL
is extremely doubtful, however, fany attempt
would be made to close up their infamous dens,
in case any of them should continue to carry on
their business without license.
WAmong liquor dealers OF this class, and, in
deed, among those who make some pretensions
TO respectability, feeling of CONSERVATION is
cation of law Of the recent session OF the
Legislature, which. If enforced, is destined to
interfere materially with their business as con-
Quoted heretofore. This law has several Of the
features OF the Excise law now SO stringently
enIoTceu IN new h0rk Guy, ana mere Is every
effects, If our municipal authorities have sufi-
cient moral courage TO begin and continue its
The first section provides that the keepers of
taverns and eating houses shall preserve order
In their establishments and call upon the
nearest sheriff, constable, or policeman for
assistance. whenever it shall be necessary. The
the dlsorderly person, and II necessary, to
close the establishment until order is fully
The second, third, and fourth sections regu-
late the sole OF liquors to apprentices, minors.
etc, and provide that In these two cases no
liquor shall be furnished without the written
consent OF the master, parents, or guardian.
1t Is also made unlawful TO dispose of liquor to
an habitual drunkard, or to person who is
intoxicated at the tme the penalty for this
violation of the law being revocation of the
The fourth section provides that no licensed
dealer shall. against the the request OF any wife.
dispose OF any strong or Bpirituous liquors,
wines, ales, or beer, to the husband of any such
any such child, or child of any such parent,
under penalty Of all the fines and forfeitures OF
The fifth section requires every licensed esta-
lishment to be closed between midnight and
sunrise, and during the entire day on the Chris
ttan Sabbath
In the sixth section, it Is provided that con-
viction for the violation of any provision of the
act by a person licensed under it, or at any
licensed establishment shall work forfeiture
OF the license, in which case the license fee
In the second section it is made the duty of
every sheriff, constable, and police officer to
enforce the provisions of the act; and he is
authorized TO close any establishment in which
s the Law Is not complied with, IN case he shall
To authorize this action, the officers own
observation, or information derived from any
respectable citizen of the neighborhood, is suffi
cient warrant 1t is also made the duty of the
officer TO arrest the person violating the act,
city, the latter being also required to entertain
complaints made under oath by any citizen in
the vicinity.
The eighth section is OF very stringent and
summary character. II requires the arrest of
every person who is found In a state of intoXi.
cation in the streets or other public places, in
Guiding houses for the disposal of liquors. The
person arrested is then to be taken before
magistrate, whose duty IL is 10 inquire OF the
person, under oath or affirmation. the place
where he she obtained liquor but no tnfor-
nation thus ELECTED shall be used against the
person giving IL In any civil or criminal prose-
cution. In case the magistrate deems the per-
son too much ntoxicat ed to answer intellgtbly,
he is to be committed until sober, when the eX.
animation will be resumed,
The ninth section is equally Salutary in its
provision that the person who dispoSes of liquor
to any individual to whom the sale OF 1T Is de-
.clared to be unlawful, shall be held responsible
for all damages that may result In consequence:
The person sustaining the damage is authorized
to bring suit in any court of mpetent jurlsdic-
tion against the violator of the act the net pro-
ceeds 10 inure to his benefit. According to this
provision we suppose that when a drunken
roWdy indulges in the too. common pasttme OF
breaking window, the person OF whom he OBJ
tanned the liquor producing his tntoxlcatlon is
required to foot the glazier's bill. 1t will be we'll
for the liquor traffickers to make note or this
particular provision of the act
In the tenth and last section OF the law, IL IS
provided that, in addition to the forfeiture of
the license, as noticed above, any Violation OF
the law shall be considered misdemeanor, and
ttOeSltU dollars, or Imprisonment Of not more
Than jive days in default Of payment.
The provisions of the act throughout are most
excellent, but every considerate person must
acknowledge that the penalties provided are
altogether too light. Nevertheless, II the sober
and order-lOvlng citizens OF Phtladelph1a unite
with the municipal and judicial authorities to
secure O thorough enforcement OF the law, such
as IL is great step will be taken towards rid.
ding the community OF the drunkenness and
disorder which at present are as much OF a curse
as they are disgrace