Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-04-26
For the CHRONICLE.
A Word to the Temperance Societies,
BY A TENPLAR.

blow at the liquor traffic that will do
more for its suppression than any
legal enactments that have ever been
made. We refer TO the law Of April
Is, 1870. 1t provides civil remedy
for any one who shall havs sustained
injury, .'in person, property, or means
Of support, (" by any ''intoxicated per-
son, or in consequence ofthe intoxi-
cation, habitat o.. otkeTaViSe, Of any
person, and the action is directed
against any one who shall have sold
or given away the liquor causing ssid
intoxication-
It's further provided that the per-
son upon whose premises the liquor
is sold shall be liable with the seller,
even if thepremises were rented for
other purposes. Damages actual and
exemplary are allowed, the amount Of
which rests upon the discretion Of the
jury, 1t is also granted a married
woman to sue in her own name, and
a minor in his. All fines, costs and
damages assessed become a lien upon
the premises occupied by the seller,
and the owner Of said premises is La
BILE for the full amount.
This is the substance OF the law,
and 1t Is so Worded and so wide in
scope that there is little chance for
escape; and with the juries and judge
of Trnmbull County, the liquor deal
ers would find little mercy.
IF the CHRONICLE Will give US place
We would like % drop hint TO the
Good Templars and other temperance
societies Of Trumbult County, know
ing BIZ personal knowledge that II our
suggested plan Is feasable, that e will
succeed under their direction, II able
to succeed anywhere. Instead Of
much OF the talk and speech making
thRt has been, ,(tet as say it kindIy1the
bane of these assOciatiOns, let them
20 70 scOrk with well directed efforts,
in way that shall show material sue
cess and make the saloon keepers and
land ownes Of Warren and surround
ing towns become awake 10 the fact
that ruin working is not without
punishment 3 isaneialiy. Let the Or
der appoint q committee TO find any
widows whose husbands died from
drinking; Any children whose parent
or parents were taken away by the
same cause; any women or children
who are affected in means Of support
or have sustained injury in any way;
and then the Order become responsible
for the suits-place the case or cases
IN the hands of some OOdlavyer who
Is Interested IN the cause, and it viii
be small work compared to the good
resulting, TO get damages enough TO
place the injured party in q eomfOrta-
bic position.
Many OF the parties injured are far
from being In 3 position 10 maintain
or carry on the costs of a suit; very
many are ignorant of this remedy at
their command, and it is the duty Of
these orders, Instituted in the very
first principles of giving help to the
victims of strong drink, to take upon
themselves the task Of seeing this
beneficial law carried 70 its fullest
extent. Iteannot be urged that these
liquor dealers are irresponsible men I;
the law hss met that objection with
a remedy that silenees opposition,
making, as 1t does, the 0IgTser Of the
premises liable 70 the full extent fer
costs, fines or damages; and unsler
this law they cannot claim exemp- |
ton of q homestead, as in other cases. }
Thus the remedy is the fullest, strong
est possible, and reflects great credit |
upon our law makers Of 1870.
Is this not possible2 Old Warren /
Lodge should look well 10 itschances, |
and begin a crusade that would reflect /
honor upon itself. IknoR Of no place /
where q better chance is pFeseated.-i
Moral opinion would be with the |
plaintiffs in such suit nine jurors out /
of ten would give Yerdicts in their |
favor. Your Prosecuting Attorney,
as well as many other lawyers, would 1
give aid at small expense. Saloons are |
plenty and many OF them in places /
well able to bring large figures under |
the Sheriff7s hammer; not more than |
one OF two lawyers among you would |
defend such suits, tand they Of the /
smaller speeiesl; the law on your side f; /
right with you; the injuries Of heart |
broken women, suffering children, /
and broken homes, all with you; the /
of "yOur conscience within
and God above" What more are
Prohlbition may be good anditmay |
be wefl-tO keep the question agitated, 1
but here is chance much more prac- |
teal, preseutaud possible, much more /
prolific of good to the injured, much I
fuller Of teTFers to the 1EroRg a0ers.
There is also 8 query In nay mind II
there are not rich men ia Warren who /
~
who would not be benefited to the ex- /
tent of getting their property out Of
danger? ? @ = -
The workingsof this law have been
well elsewhere : one woman obtain
ing 3 ven dict Of i've Thousand dollars 1
for the death Of her husband, snOther 4
two thousand aud eight hundred for
the loss of her n-besides many 9TH |
ers the courts make record of15a.5
This advice may be presumption,
butEe have been impelled tospeak by /
q SENSE Of duty after waiting many |
weeks 70 see ifEoue one else would not /
sY.tbe needed words The thing is /
possible, actually easy compared with 4
the good that will be the result. and /
much more beneficial to the Order
than many debates on prohibition,
many stirring appeals to thedrnnkaFd |
forreformatiOn. This brings q refor-
nation in y quarter as much needed /
Is any other. ~
Remembering the suffieieneyO of one /
verd 70 the wise, we will ask. your
candid confederation of the advice, !
which has been given with all manner
Of respect to the good record Of the
lodges in the past, and in hope ofre
newed effort and more certain FRSiilts /
in the future.