St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-03-03
The Temperance La" Of Ohio.

We were aware that in the state OF
Ohio, for year or more, there has been
in force law for the regulation or sup
preston of the traffic in Intoxicating liq-
uors, of some peculiar features but I'M
tilTecently we had not obtained parilcu-
lar information Of it, practical opera
tions. and therefore entertained only
vague ideas of its utility. Very recently
we have come into possession of informal
ton which throws some light upon the
character of this law, the main features
of which are as follows
!. 1t prohibits the sale of Intoxicating
liquors to minors, and makes it the duty
of grand juries TO indct, aud Of public
prosecutors TO bring TO trial, all rum sell
ers who furnish liquor 10 children, or
persons under age.
1t prohibits the sale OF liquors to
adult persons who ire alitually intoX.
icated.
3. (And this Is the backbone of the
law 1t makes every gr"g seller, and
every real estate owner who furnishes n
tenement for the sale Of liquors, pccunla-
rily responsible for all damage or loss oc
casioncd by the intoXicatiun Of their joint
victims. Ii treats the landlord and his
rum-vcnding tenant as partners, To the
extent of holding both responsible for the
mischief they do. The provision reads ::
"Every husband, wife, child, parent,
guardian, employer, or other person, who
shall be injured in person, property, or
means of support, by any intoxicated
person, or in consequence of such intoX-
ication, habitual or otherwise, shall have
q right of action against both the person
who sold the liquor and the landlord who
owns the premises on which the sale WAS
made"
a. Exemplary as well as actual dam
ages may be recovered; and suits may be
commenced before Justices of the Peace
where the damages claimed do net OK
coed 5000; for larger amounts, in the
Circuit Courts
5. Any fine levied upon a seller
for violation of the act becomes Il lien OH
the premises until paid; and judgment
obtained by wife; widow, or parent ior
damages against rum seller, is also 4
lien ON the premises occupied 10y him, in
whole or in part, and said premises shall
be sold TO pay. such fine in case of de
fault.
Here is something that has in it NOR,
than grass-somcthing of that virtue tie
old man found in the stones lie hurled at
the unruly boy The law is also said to
be very popular with the people, and its
enforcement has had the effect of abating
the nuisance of rum selling in whole com
munities, while III others it has made
dealers in it very cautious of tie manner
in which they dispose of it. Many en-,
gagged in the traffic have voluntarily
abandoned it. The law makes the bust.
ness dangerous, rs any one noticing It's
features will readily observe. The pco-
pie execute the law. The person injur
cd by the sale Of liquor has the means o
punishment in his own hands. Its exc
cution docs not depend upon salarled of
ficials. Owners of buildings aiS1 find i
dangerous to rent them for grog shops, o
grog- selling hotels.
1t was alleged, when the law was fir
made, that it was unconstitutional, bu
the courts of the state have uniformly dc
cided it constitutional
The practical effect OF the law is. thu
juries when the proof warrants it. civ,
exemplary damages. The law i fom
efficient. 1t has force aul power in it
Two cases recently decided resulted i
the imposition of heavy penalties. On
was the widow Of a physician. She re
covered 81 500 damages of the man VIII,
sold her husband liquor. The husbanr
died, leaving her and her children poor
The law made the seller responsible 70
the injury done by his liquor. In III
other case widow recovered 81 800 u
the man who sold her son liquor, an
who died Of deirium trcmcns
1t is very evident that law like thi
must he an efficient agent in the promo
ton of temperance.