Worcester daily spy., 1872-01-06
Gbs 9ain spp: aalorest Saturday orno ganuap g. 1892


my Judgment, the prohibitory law repealed four
years ago was the best and most effective we
have ever had for the suppression of the liquor
traffic. | would like to see it restored in all its
power and integrity TO our statute books, and
rigidly enforced over every foot of soil in the
commonwealth. Let this be done and crime
and pauperism would be reduced fifty per cent,
great burden of taxation would be removed
from all classes of citizens, a new impetus would
be given TO every branch Of legitimate indus
try, a heavy weight would be lifted from the
hearts and hands of our labOring people, and
most important step taken toward their per
manent elevation and improvement. II may be
said that public opinion was opposed 10 this
law, and no law can he sustained and made to
operate advantageouSly unless il receives the
hearty support of the people. This is unques-
tiOnablv true But NAV not the people. for
some cause, at times be persuaded, under the
pressure OF the hour, to do what they are salts
dcd, on calm reflection, was a mistake ?
RetOrmatiOns do not move backward, though
for the moment they may appear to do so. The
present law is claimed by its friends to be better
than any upon the subject which has been
adopted by our sister states, Bit il must be re-
mcmuered that we have always occupied ad-
vanced ground in regard TO this question. We
are not to be satisfied with our situation simply
because other communities may be in worse
condition. Our constant aim should be 10
make the law as nearly perfect as possible
And whatever the law for the time being we
ought to be careful that it does not become
dead letter.
There is an opinion somewhat prevalent that
the executive, il so disposed, has full power to
enforce the law now on our statute books.
Would TO God his arm were long enough and
strong enough TO close up once and forever
every liquor snnp in the entire commonwealth
so ettectually that it would be necessary, for
those who patroniZe such places, to 20 beyond
our bounds to get their supply OF Intoxicating
dunk by whatever name designated! But We
live under a republican form of government;
the one-man power is not in accordance with
either the theory or the spirit OF our nsiitu-
tons; and the tendency OF legislation in most Of
our states for the last few years has been, 10
take power from the executive and leave him
nothing but the dignity of his office. Of this
do not complain. But it is difficult TO see why
responsibility should he increased as authority
Is diminished. | am honestly and conscientiOuSly
in favor of the rigid and impartial enforcement
Of the liquor law. My duty being TO see that
that the laws are faithfully executed, | could
make no exception in tue case of this particular
law. But were ii otherwise, the lesson taught
by our recent canvass would force me to Il striet
and careful observance of its provisions. All
parties distinctly declared in favor of its en-
fOrcement,-the yiolatOrs in order that it might
be made so odious as TO lead to its repeal; the
true temperance men in order that the tide OF
desolation sweeping over the state may be
STAYED. ] see no reason why this general desir,
should not be gratified. But may there not be
mistaken idea in the public mind as to the eS-
tent OF tie governors authority in respect to the
question at issue? The state conStabulary Is
supposed by many persons to be under his dI-
rect control, and responsible to him for the
faithful performance of duty. This Is a grave
error. An officer of that force may become
wholly inefficient, or may discharge the func-
tons of his position in such manner as to rem
der the law needleSSly odious, yet the executive
is without authority TO remove him. The board
of commiSSiOnerS-yery good men for aught
know--have the sole power to create and destroy
every member of this arm of the government.
And if any member Of the board is found unfit
for the place be holds, or is unfathlul in the dis
charge OF its duties, there is no provision in the
law for his removal. In fact the executive has
nothing but advisory power in respect to the
enforcement Of this law. / am quite willing to
give the advice it authorizes me to give, but mol
wiling to be held responsible for authority the
executive does not possess.
Should you deem it eXpedient to retain thc
present law, substantially as it is, on the statute
books, there are certain amendments | would
suggest for your consideration. Under its pro.
Visions there Is commissioner TO buy liquors
and sell them to town agents. The state pays
the incidental expense of carrying on the hus-
ness, seven per cent. on the capital invested and
an annual salary of four thousand dollars to the
commissioner. There is also an assayer and in
Spector, with yearly salary of three thousand
iOliars whose duty it is to assay the liquors
Of the commissioner and such samples us the
take from the town agents. The com
missioner is required to charge five per cent.
above cost for liquors sold, and tC pay the re-
ceipts from this percentage into the stare treas
ury, ana it was expected thar the aggregate
would meet the expenses of the agency. But
may sell domestic liquors for GER
tain purposes In quantities not less than thirty
Irfpis al fhg.Ig
sell in most of our towns for specified purposes,
and are not required to buy of the commission
er. Hence II results that the business of the
state agency has been carried on at loss to the
during the past year, of about
eleven thousand dollars, AS druggists and the
purchase their liquors of import
GrS, suggest that town agents be allowed to do
the same, and that the commissioncrShip be dis
pensed with, or that druggists be required to
buy their supplies of liquor OF the commissioner.
Should you think it advisable to continue the
office of state agent, | recommend that the pro
visions of the old law be revived, and that the
commissioner receive no salary from the Statg,
but be allowed to charge Il small fixed percent
are above cost on his sales, and that he be re-
CURED to pay the compensation Of the asSayer,
TO the end thar there shall be no expense to the
| am satisfied a responsible
man could be found TO take the Office under this
who would rive satisfactory Sc
and conduct the affairs Of the agency on sound
and approved business principles. Perhaps it
might be well TO require druggists and town
agents to pay the fees for asSaying the liquors
in their hands. With an earnest desire that
action is had may conduce TO the beSt
interests Of the state and the happiness of our
people, submit the matter to your enlightened
Judgment
THE STATE POLICE.
The report OF NJ ior Edward j. JONES' the con-
stable oil The commonwealth, with accompany
ng statistics exhibiting in detail the operations
Of his force for the past year. as also the reGott
Of the police commissioners, will be laid before
You in due form. The great majority of the
members of the constablery are known TO he
efficient officers, faithful aud conscientious in
the discharge OF duty, whether engaged in the
enforcement OF a particular law, in the pursuit
and arrest Of reckless and desperate offenders,
or in the more general work OF preserving peace
and SupprtSsina crime. There is no excuse for
the employment OF any but good men on this
force. the compensation Is ample to command
sucn as can be relied upon in every emergency
The force is altogether TOO small for the proper
performance OF the duty required of it. No rea-
SUnable mind ought to expect that seventy nien
can prUmDIly reach every yoatOr of the law,
among a population of nearly one and a hall
millions, scattered over such an area us that of
our state Ii it is desired that the force shall
really lie effective, it ought at least to Ue in
creased 10 its former strength of one hundred
and forty persons Ii the liquor nuisances of
the state are to he thoroughly broken M, steps
must be taken to mike the business unproft-
able rs well us dis onorabIc. We shall not be
able to report satisfactory progress while prose-
cutions are 50 rare as heretofore. The cXecu.
tiOn of the law must be made certain and swift
To this end the mere handful of men IN the con-
stablery is wholly inadequate. The aggregate
of receipts last year by the state and counties
flom this branch of the public service, over and
above expenditures, was upwards of 500 000
showing THAI in a pecuniary point OF view there
is valid reason why the force should not be
placed on an ffi'ient basis
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
The tendency Of the aye seems 10 be toward
an extension Of the elective franchise. Until
recently, many men in this country, because of
their color or condition, were denied the prv-
lege of voting. Now, however, nearly every
male citizen who has arrived at the years Of
manhood enjoys the right to the ballot There
were those who thought the proposed extension
OF Suffrage dangerous to society, and therefore
opposed it; while Others welded their assent re-
luctantly, believing the step necessity to the
prevention OF a greater evil. The result has
proved the wisd I'm Of the measure. Ought suf-
lrage to be still further extended? Would So
cietv be benefited by giving it to woman? In
her present sphere she is doing a work which
we may truly say is invaluable. Her influence
upon the community in which she moves, gentle,
but far more powerful for good than mans,
should never be dispensed with, and cannot safe.
ly be weakened. II she takes the ballot and en-
tiers into our political stiiles will she necessarily