Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1871-01-13
rnn 1TaUoR LAvs or onIo.

Let US see what is required by the
/ liquor laws already on our statue books:
| (See Swan & Critch. 90, 2425 to 1886.
Also, 81 L "a 81 L. SO Liquor laws or
dered to be given in charge to Grand
/ TuryI 63 L. I4o, &c, &c The follow
/ inc have been summarized as some OF
the provisions of the law, and We are un-
able to find any material change since
1861:
I. Every sale of spirituous liquors on
Sunday or on election days IS prohibited.
2. To buy for, furnish, sell or give in
toxieating liquors to any person lntoxi-
Gated, or to a person in the habit of get
ting intoxicated, or to a minor, without
the written order of the parent, guardian
or family physician, IS forbidden.
5. The sale or giving away OF lntoXl-
eating liquors, IN any quantity to be
drank on or about the premises In
this section is excepted native wine, beer,
ale and cider; but this exception IS not
extended to the other cases.
4. The sale of intoxicating liquors
within four miles of camp meeting or
other religious meeting held IN an open
field or woodland. The penalties pre-
Scribed under these several heads vary
from five to one hundred dollars, and in
some cases Imprisonment from ten to
thirty days.
5. TippIing houses may be declared
nuisanees and closed up.
8. Persons intoxicated may be fined
FIVE dollars.
7. Families deprived of support by
the sale to the husband of intoxicating
liquors, may have damages against the
party making the sale, in a civil action.
8. Persons taking care of and provid-
ing for intoxicated persons, may recover
compensation from the party furnishing
the liquor.
Now suppose these laws to be enforc-
ed strictly everywhere in the State where
is the possibility of accomplishing more
for the restraint of drunkenness They
touch the dishonest liquor seller where
he is tenderest-in the pocket. If he
sells to a drunkard, he is responsible for
what the drunkard does, and must make
good what the drunllard fails to do, in the
support of his family, besides being liable
criminally. He is also liable for the care
of the drunkard, and the drunkard him
self is liable for his crime in his own
person beside. It is within the power Of
any community in this State to absolute
ly prohibit the sale or giving away Of in
toxicating liquors to be drank on the
premises, and all tippling houses may
be closed as nuisances. And so on.
Now, why are these things not done
In some few communities they are done
why not in all ? Simply because pub
lie sentiment will not always justify them
or will not in some cases allow them to
be done. The law is the same the State
over.
We are not arguing the case. and are
not going to argue it. There is nothing
to be gained by argument. But we
should like to see the comparatively
mild but efficient laws now upon the
statute book enforced, before our tenn
perance friends proceed to extremities ;
and we cannot help thinking that more
decisive enforcement of the law would
give them a better status for demanding
an increase of stringency. We are not
alone in the fear that they may drop the
bone they now hold, in swapping after
the shadow, literally in the water.-E.x-
tract from tie Oht0 STATE Journal