The Republican journal., 1870-05-12

The Belfast Journal has ascertained that the see
ton OF the amended liquor law giving authority to
the officers to seize liquor without warrant, and
tam 1t until warrant can be obtained, is unconst
tutiona and that the Supreme Court will decide
Perhaps it will. But until the Supreme Court de-
cides that Custom House officers cannot seize snug
ged goods, or that thief who is detected carrying
away stolen goods, cannot be arrested without a
warrant and both the thief and goods detained I'M
til warrant can be obtained we think it will not
decide it to be unconstitutional for officer to
seize liquor that Is cOntraband, wherever he may
find it. Some people have the impression that an
officer may enter any place of business house for
the purpose of a search without warrant, under
this provision. We do not think so; but we do
think, that having effected a peaceable entrance,
should he see any liquor, he would be at liberty,
should he fit, to confscate it, and carry it to a
place OF safety until warrant could be procured.
We think there are few officers who would demand
an entrance into any building in the name of the
State of Maine, for the purpose of making search,
without warrant There never can be a furore
got up on such an issue this. The Journal might
as we'll undertake to raise panic about the long
tailed comet which it has been asserted will sweep
the earth on the seventeenth day of next October
The people OF the State are just now in the mood
of putting stop to rumseng and will not be dis
posed to be very fastdious to the means. and
Will be likely to sanction quite large liberties Ma
chias Republican.
Custom House cases are not likely to come
before the Supreme Court of Maine, unless
the application of the laws of the United
States get warped as badly as those Of Maine.
The Republican finds it convenient TO ignore
the point we make in respect to the seizure
without warrant. We will state it again.
The Constitution of Maine says
The people shall be secure in their persons,
houses, papers and possessions from all unreaSon-
able searches and Seizures, and no warrant to
search any place, or seize any person thing, shall
will hon
be searched and the person or thing to be seized,
nor without probable cause, supported by oath or
affirmation.
The intensified liquor law provides that
In all cases where now by any of the provisio
OF said chapter or any acts additional thereto or
amendatory thereof an officer is authorized to seize
intoxicating liquors or the vessels containing Them
by virtue of warrant therefor, he may seize the
same without warrant and keep them in some
safe place for reasonable time until he can pro-
cure such warrant.
Now it is an unreasonable search and
seizure" whichthus proceeds against an article
which the laws of the United States collect
duties upon, and Of which the State of Maine
legal retailers. When the constitution so
carefully guards the search and seizure, bv
warrant, Us to declare that it must particular
ly describe the place and thing, under oath. is
it to be supposed that a law can be sustained
which provides for search and seizure with
out any warrant at all If so, we should
like to see the reasoning by which the Re
publican would support it.
In conclusion, we hope the Republican
won't try to state our argument better than
we have put it ourselves We copy its re-
marks fairly and fully. Now let it do the
same by ours, and not ntlict upon itself the
injustice of virtually acknowledging .l,at if
cannot reply to us without misrepresentation.
We dislike to see the Republican SO greatly
humliate itself before the public and its
brethren OF the press.
"tluidam,' writes 10 the Bangor Wing,
complaining of this paper in connection with
some temperance moyement'' in this city,
and says
This was the third meeting held and vet the Jour
nal of this city has not yet noticed the movement
by word or sign.
We think there has been an omission, and
take this occasion To say that the pismire call
Ell Quidam climbs once week to the rostrum
Of the Methodist Nesry and feels indignant
if every one don't see him T. S-If future
notices are wanted please again call attcn-
ton.