The Portland daily press., 1867-06-07

PRoHIB1r1oN.-The SPRINGFIELD Republican
gives the following report of two cases recent
ly tried before the Superior Court of that CITY:
The case of Chester II. Curtis of Russell, in
which thirteen witnesses swore to repeated
sales, was given to the jury about IL a. M, and
they were still laboring on it at midnight, with
II first rate prospect of an all night session.
Eleven OF the jury vote for conviction, and one
for acquittal, the stand-outer being Myron Il.
Green OF Holyoke, who has recently become
proprietor of the Samoset House in that town,
and is interested in the liquor business. The
only liquor case tried yesterday was that of
John Maloney, who keeps saloon on Market
street. The prosecution produced nine wit
nesses, oniy lew OF whom could swear 10 any
thing material This case was by no means a
strong one, and after fifteen minutes, eonsuita-
tlon the jury brought in averdlct Oh ho' suil'y'
In the first of these cases, it is evident that
the obstinate Juror, disregarding the testimo-
nv. was determined not to allow conviction.
Tt is believed that the new law, allowing the
government officer the right to challenge two
;urors will correct this evil. The law goes in
70 oneration n week or ten days hence The
seizure cases, in the decision of which the .ju-
rors have no voice, are disposed of without diff
ficulty. 81
In Rhode Island, the General Assembly
have placed the whole question of restraining
or prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors,
in the hands of town councils and boards of
aldermen of the cities. The aldermen of Prov
idence have improved the opportunity by pass
ing the following resolution:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this board
prohibition is not the proper course to take for
restraining or controlling this business. nor is
it expedient to adopt a prohibitory system.
This was carrird by a vote of five to four,
Aldermen Burgess changing from the support
Of prohibition to license. This change of poll
cy causes great indig nation among the friends
of prohibition, who now want the State to pass
Il prohibitory law that shall apply to all the
towns, whether they desire it or not.
The Excise law which was so violently oppOs-
ed in New York at first, is winning golden
opinions in all quarters. The Times supports
it gingerly, as becomes conservative paper
The following testimony in favor of the law
is taken from the New York corresponds nee Of
the Boston Herald:
The excise law which has now been i'm prac-
tcal operation here for over year, has really
proved itself to be one of positive benefit to the
whole community. There is no gainsaying
| this-there is no use of any one trying to shut
| their eyes to this accomplished fact. 1t is Ol
great benefit in many ways, and even many Of
the dealers are it's frmest supporters Every
rum shop is now obliged to close its bar at l.
o'clock at night, and not open
again until sunrise This gives the
hard-worked bar-keepers a chance tt
get nights rest; is also an effectual estoppe
to many midnight and morning row and de-
bauch-it effectually cuts off from their haunt.
a small army of bummers who SO long as they
can VIII loaf around bar-room at night ant
| procure drink now and then and forces then
co go to their homes. 1t is also one of thu
| greatest preventives of crime, for there wer,
hundreds of the lowest kind of doggerie
where young and old criminals resorted night
and concocted schemes of vllainy from thei
wickedly heated brains, prompted by the spiri
| of the devil, whose favOrite residence is in tn
liquid damnation sold at these curses of tn
community. HtA to' --