The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-06
Letter from Bladsfsrd.i
n III BrpurroRp. Aue. ,, 1853.


To the Editor of the Press:
This city in some respects is one Of the most
flourishing places in our State, and its wealth
and population are increasing, but not in pro
portion to its natural advantages. Unfortu-
nately the mantle Of Democracy has fallen
over the city, and our taxpayers are practical
ly made acquainted with the magic resources
Of Democratic economyi While our political
financiers are steadily increasing our taxes
from year to year, they just as steadily in
crease our city debt. The cost Of carrying our
city election in dollars, in wear and tear Of
conscience Of such as ever had q conscience,
in falsehood, In fraud, amounts to large ag-
gregate and over millions Of corporate and pri-
vate property, must pay the cost Of Democrat
ic protectioni Here is most excellent feld
for investigation If any in the Republican cities
Of onr State think oftrying on the blessings Of
Democratic rule. Our city officers could in
form such how much cheaper IL sometimes is
to buy the silence ofsome in Republican ranks
than to overcome the opposition Of those in a
position to publicly expose fraud and corrup-
ton. sfao9 sla.ast ei'Hrff'''
But while much might and should be said on
this subject forbear to pursue it.. Its details
are too disgusting to honest people. 'n"=
Another subject seems to be assuming a
more absorbing public interest, in this, rs in
several other States. 4 mean the question OF
Liquor and Prohibition. This grave question
proves not easy of solution. 1t win not stay
down when solved even to the satisfaction
the friends of prohibition. They cannot seem
to get it exactly right. Some Of our temper
ance friends think they can compass their pur-
pose by having candidate Of their own, an
idea which charms the Democracy and those
who love rum.
The liquor loving Democrats look with su-
preme delight on any indication Of break In
the Republican ranks Such break in par
ty based on justice and generally favoring NOR
atty is the only anchor Of hope of those who
thrive on vice, or live by crime, or vote the
oopperhead ticket.
Now before running this temperance ma
chinery into the ground again it would be weli
for the friends OF the cause to candidly study
the cause and the reason Of the dificulties
heretofore found in the way OF enforcement OF
prohibitory laws. They seem to me to consist
mainly in this, that in striking the evil we
have struck also some measure Of individual
liberty. The upholders of the evil have rallied
not ostsnsibly in defvncs Of the unmitigated
nuisance Of drunkenness but for the rescue OF
personal liberty which they allege had been
curtailsd. Now it Is not plain that in this in
adverte mt infringement Of individual liberty
we have given them an advantage suficient 20
enable taem to mullify the whole law and rem
der it Of no effect.
i Now under such circumstances, IL would
seem to your correspondent that the thing to be
done would be to frame law that should ac-
cord the fullest individual freedom and Impair
t,ality. and at the same time throw . general
protection over the people. The question Is,
can such law bs enforced. L firmly believe Il
can, and that majority Of the people would
sustain it triumphantly. II aspiring gentle
men win step off their hobby and take to prac-
tical good sense, they can come TO 10 surely,
though it may be a slower process than Is
agreeable to impatient souls.
First, let the law provide that every dealer
shall give bond with good securities in suf-
icient sum that he will only sell according &c
the provisions Of the general law, and not
overstep its limitations.
OcCouu, Leu INC law pkOthoo " "A~-A ~~>-
under what circumstances he shah be forbid
den to sell. Let him be forbidden to sen to :
drunkard, and let him forfeit him bond II he
gets man intoxicated. Let him forfeit 1t Il in
consequence of his sale man squanders his
property. abuses his family, or commits
crime. Let the forfeiture 60 to the injured
party.
Third, Let the seller pay to treasury Of the
town or city in which he sells TO be accounted
for to the State good and reasonable license
fee. a. -a.es eff 1a ..i.at. .rasI.s
Frame these provisions a. stringent as you
please and rs carefully as you can, and let any
man sell who will buy his license, give his
bond, and take the risk. .drsl lsa ~
The advantages of such law would be that
1t is self-working and self-adjusting; that it
would be no burden to the State, but source
Of revenue; that it would be impartial, and
make the traffic no special privilege; that IL
would remove source of discord in politics
and among reighbors, and Be likely to prove
more efficient than any law hitherto enacted.
q iva,,~. f. -fe. 7.