National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-05-01
Proqress in Massachusetts,.

The wise men of Greece, latterly
known as the Legislature of Massa-
ohusetts, sitting in solemn conclave
at L oston, the modern Athens af-
ter protracted and conscientious in
cubation, have been permitted to
see a License Law chip SHE'LL which
win probebly receive the sanction of
the Governor, and take its place, in
full grown chickenhood, among the
statutes of the State. When this is
done. as it will be- fanaticism in
Massachusetts will be etfectually
played out. No more need temper
ance societies labor, ministers preach,
or Good Templars meet for the
amusing pastime of keeping boys
and girls from the drunkard's grave.
The License Law will do it all, and
more than all, that all other agencies
combined can do. Its main features
are as follows:
Any person selling liquor without
a license, may be punished by fine
of from one cent to five hundred
dollars and Imprisonment from one
minute to four months. Manufact
urers Of cider and native wine, how
ever, can sell the same not to bt
drank on the premises.
Licenses may be granted by the
several boards of Commissioners fol
each County, to inn-keopers, saloon
keepers, &c, to sell to be drank OF
the premises, for 500 per year.
Also to grOeers, apothecaries, drug
gistS. brewers, &c, TO sell not to bt
drank on the premises, for $50 pei
year. On the third Monday in May
the legal voters Of each town anC
city will decide by ballot and major
vote Whetheror not licenses shall bI
granted within the limits Of such city
or town. An adverse vote, however
will not reach any licensed inn-keep
er in such town or city. Each Ii
cense shall run one year unless re
voked for cause.
No liquor shall be sold between
midnight and five a. m, nor during
the}Sabbath, except that im-keepers
may sell to their guests and drug
gists on medical reguisition; and ne
one can sell to a person Who is al
ready drunk or who is minor.
If any poor devil, under the be
nign operation of this law, acquire!
the habit of drunkenness to any ex
tent that makes him or his famiI,
liable to become a public charge
then the worshipful authorities o
the town or city where this wifi
inebriate resides, may cut off hi
rations for the time being.
Married women may have an &C
ton of tort i'll their own name agains
any person furnishing their huS
bands with liquor contrary to TIL
prohibition Of the authorities, a
; aforesaid.
There are other features to thi
law, but the above are its salien
points. 1t is a singular compound
| Apparently severe is some OF its per
I alties, it is actually and culpabl
. loose i'll others. Its practical efiee
=, will be to place rum.shop on ever
corner, and to flourish decanters i
) the very face of the public.
= 1t viii take the question oflicens
into every town meeting, and wi
n inevitably so compIicate and CORFU
the ordinary simple issues ther
- presented. that far oftener than 9th
5 erWiSe. it viii result in the election
( of bad men to Office whose iHtluenc
will be on the worst side.
But it must stand for one year 4
least. We shall watch its operation
with much interest, and fits warn
S est friends are not willing to hay
f it essentially modified at the end ,
~ tins years trial. we shall be disal
~ MISUNDERSTANDING.