The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-31
CONNECTICUT LIQUOR Law.
The New Raid Of the Legislature Against
"FOrty-ROd Embellishments.
Poouliarities in the Provisions Of the Moasure-
No Drinks for Minors, Would-Bo Incorporate
Wives or Dissipated Husbands-Heavy
Penalties and Restrictions I'M
posed on All Dealera
BRrpaEroRr, Conn.,, August %, 1872.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.,, August %, 1872.
Since the passage OF the Maine law. long since
practical dead letter IN this State no legislative
enactment relative to the sale OF liquor has
been passed Of such Importance as that which
recently received the sanction OF both Houses
OF the Legislature and the Governor. 1t was
introduced Into the House b. Nathaniel Wheeler,
democratic member from this city, was warmly
advocated by him, and was sustained by such
prominent democrats as Ex-Governor English, Il.
NJ Waller and Mr.. Judd, OF Stratford and was
passedby a large majority, many republicans voting
for It, 1t cannot be called party measure, for
although introduced and mainly managed by the
democrats, 1t was supported by many republicans
and the prospect is that IL viii be insured fair
trial But, although non-partisan in It's character
STILL having been advocated by prominent men,
bers of the democratic party never heretofore
identified with any temperance movement, what
ever dissatisfied on arises from its operation will
naturally result to their disadvantage the great
majority OF those Affected belong to the democratic
party. The law is
STRINGENT LICENSE LAW,
and its chief features are briefly these:-
It provides that the County Commissioners may
give annual licenses to persons to sell iiauOr upon
the recommendation OF the Selectmen OF any town,
Tue license Zee to be RON one hundred to five hundred
dollars. Any person receiving license must give
bond with sureties, in the sum OF $1,000, con-
are or shall be made respecting taverns ana spir-
ituous liquors" 1t rurther provides that any town
may forbid its Seectmen to recommend any person
for license and thereby prohibit the sale of liquor
In that town. The County Commissioners are FUR
ther authorized, for due cause, to revoke any
license already given. Any person selling liquor,
ale, wines, lager beer, &C, without q license, or
after the revocation of his license, shall be liable
to fine of not less than $50 more than $780, or
by imprisonment not more than six months, or by
both fine and Imprisonment.
HARD ON MINORS HUSBANDS AND WIVES.
II N IN loaf tim hoy
erages to any minor under proper penalties II
any one knowingly sells liquor to any drunkard, or
either husband or wife not To sell to the other, or
to any person already Intoxicated he may be pun
i cated nne d ana imprisonmens; any inox
erty OF another the injured party may recover the
amount OF damage, to an amount not exceeding
$1,000 nom the one who sold the liquor from his
sureties. Any person who shall keep place In
which 1t Is reputed liquor Is sold shall be liable to
fine and Imprisonment. All employees Of a Irnor
seller are to be equally amenable With the pa
for violation Of the law and every licensed person
must have his license framed and hung up in his
place OF business.
The law is to go into effect on the 18th OF Septer
Der next. The ultra temperance men are of
course, not satisfied with it, but 1t is claimed with
o good show Of reason, since THESE men have
lacked the courage or ability to enforce the Maine
law, that this law regulates In the best possible
manner the sale OF liquor which they powerless
to prevent. 1t Is thought that II will be generally
enforced through the efficiency Of the law officers
and from the interest which will be felt in its en-
forcement by all dealers who pay the license money
and furnish bonds. Naturally these will not con-
nive at the selling OF parties who are not licensed.
but Will be on the lookout for such cases to shut
former to publicly appear there will not be the same
objection to informing against non-censed parties
that otherwise might exist. Many Dealers those
who are able TO comply with the provisions OF the
law, look upon It favorably in the belief that the
smaller places where LIQUOR Is sold being closed,
their own business Will proportlOnately increase.
SOME WHOLESALE DEALERS
not in favor Of the law, since the Closing Of
many small dramshops viii decrease their trade.
The parties most affected, the small dealers,
groccrs, &C., &C., are not sparlng in their denun-
Citations of the law, and it VIII operate to close
up many OF this class OF liquor sellers,
as nearly every grocery in Bridgeport, lor
instance, sells liquor, and as It ls kept at
af the drug stores these places will be com.
PEELED to come within the operation OF the
law or to leave of seing which latter alternative
would be fatal to some OF them, such as are now
only nOated by their rum business, which supple
ments their more legitimate traflc. There is con-
siderable complaint among these dealers OF the I'M
business OF the law and they are astounded at its
having Deen advocated and passed by democrats.
they think that the attempt to eni9rcc 1t would
lose that party large portion Of Its supporters
lie Is argued that these men, though
AGGRIEvED AT THE OPERATION OF TIE LAW,
can only withdraw from the democratic party for
time and could not go to the republican party,
since that would be "out OF the frying pan into the
urc." Even were tHlS True, however, IL WOulu not
prevent the Immediate effect OF the law being ad-
verse to Its prominent democratic supporters. The
general opinion among the peOple--thOse not Pc
cuniary Interested In the operation OF the law-is
In favor OF its provisions and there is belief that
Its enforcement would result in great good to the
State. Many OF its provisions are regarded as
excellent and meet with universal apprO-
baton. The towns which now enforce the
Maine law can prohibit the sale OF liquor by
n majority vote OF their citizens, and they win be
as well on a. under the Old law. Any town can do
this where public opinion will support it, ami with
out this no law can long be operative. The sections
Of the new law prohibiting the sale to minors and
to husband or wife after notice, the revoking
license for failure % comply with the law, the
spOnsblity OF the seller for damage done by per-
son to whom he has sold liquor, are all regarded
provisions liable to result in much good, and there
will doubtless be an EFFORT TO have them thoroughly
enforced. II Is thought that the including OF drug
gists ana the punishment OF parties reputed to
Keep liquor for sale are rather enc ctnents,
but even the criticism on them Is limited among
the general public The Maine law having proved
after long years of trial practical failure there Ia
q general wish to this new law with its I'M
dOubtedy wise provisions thoroughly tested as the
next best thing TO pr0hibitOry law. This opinion
prevails among temperance men who do not belong
to the radical wing Of that organization. and
among all those who have the public peace and
general welfare at heart.
HORRIBLE CASE OF SUICIDE.