The Portland daily press., 1867-03-11
THE PR ESS.
MOnlsy Morning, March IL, 1867,


Says John Neal in the Press this morning,
and we would respectfully add, be consistent
also. Mr.. Neal says, 81 rohibtion is not now,
never was, and never will be cfiectual," and
asks whether we win have that or the license
system, which he styles wholesome GUARDIAN
ship, making "every man permitted to dear -
sound, unauthorized liquors police 'soa''
whose profits are TO be graduated aoooi -
his watchfulness of others and ms r-.n
in bringing violators of law to JUG i
Tt will he remembered that aiter 'ryins pro-
hibition one year, the people re'u' neu 70 'ne
license system, but after one year triai vi thae
The ,r;ncinle of prohibition was again applied,
and II has prevailed to the present time.
W. orc aware that the Legislature, by shrk-
;n, their responsibilities and duties have open
cd the door to the renewed agitation of this
question, but had our law proposers performed
their proper and legitimate duties, that of law
makers, the people would have been satisfied.
We happen to knoa, that more than one dealer
in this city was preparing to stop selling the
moment the bill should become a law, and very
many Of the drinkers would have rejoiced; we
have heard them say SO. But having now to
meet the question, the people are preparing for
1t. One thing is significant; nearly every OPP
ponent of the measure and every advocate of
the license system prefaces his arguments with
the assertion that he is jealous friend of tenn
perance and has made large sacrifices for it's
advancement. ..si,-it.r. ai..t o. asr-
Ii the sale of Intoxicating liquors is an evil
and productive of evil in the body polite, it be-
comes a crime, standing in the same category
with other crimes, which Legislators seek to
remove by applying the prohbitory principle
If YOU seek to exercise Wholesome guardian
ship over one species af crime and make it a
source of revenue to the State, why not apply
the same Wholesome guardianship to others?
Why not license houses of ill-fame? You will
add to the revenue of the State and make those
who happen to enjoy the favor of the powers
that be, efficient police officers" to detect those
who dare pursue the same disgraceful calling
without having paid the State for the privilege.
The prohibitory principle does not seem to be
efectual in the case. Hadn't you better try
the license system? And as your prohibitory
laws to prevent murders, theft burglary SC.
&c, fail to entirely remove these evils, why OF
course according to the logic Of Mr.. Neal, the
wholesome guardianship" ola license system
should be applied 80 that those who paid the
State for the privilege of committing depreda-
tons upon the life, property or happiness OF
Community, might become efficient police Of
fcers'' to secure to themselves the monopoly
they have paid for. AS license is not an evil
but liberation OF evil, as ''what can't be cured
must be endured" and as the present law does not
entirely preUent the commission of every known
crime according to the reasoning of Mr. Neal
legal permission should be given to those who
will pay the price OF crime, as fixed by the
State, SO as TO create an efficient body of un-
paid police" to prevent others from doing what
they do. This is the legitimate and inevitable
result of the reasoning of Mr.. Neal and is alike
unworthy of his head and his heat.
'+' e- }ti '.'' .'i Vox PoPULI.
poRTranyD March q 1897 AZ A... .lI JJi yi4t'o