Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1873-04-17
Whisky or NeEWhsskzN.

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past cannot fail TO have observed q
deep undercurrent of feeling a.
mong the masses on the subject Of
the use and sale of Intoxicating
liquors. In the cities the dailY
press, for reasons easily accounted
for, have either been silent on The
matter or openly opposed all agita-
zion which was likely to assume
shape in legislation. But the
country press, the literary press,
and the religious press, with note
worthy unanimity, have spoken in
unmistakable language. We Do
not propose to take sides as jour
naiists on the subject, and shall
content ourselves ty barely stat
ing some facts, leaving the reader
to draw his own intercnces. We
reproduce in this connection such
legislation in different States as
has already passed into laws On
this subject.
/ About year ago, the Illinois
Legislature passed a stringent law
on the subject by a large majority
in both branches. The law re-
guires the saloon-koeper, before
he can sell to furnish a boud in the
sum Of $4,000 with good securi-
ties, that he will not violate any
Of the provisions of the law. He
is held responsible for all damage
to person or property inflicted by
the men to whom he sold drink.
The family of the drinker thus
have protection to the amount of
the bond, and more if the liquor
seller is responsible. Owners of
property rented for the sale Of liq-
uOr are also held responsible for
damage the same as the seller. As
may be supposed, this law caused
great eXcitement-threats were
freely made of open rebellion.
Appeals to the Supreme Court Of
the State 10 test the constitution
ally Of the law were made.
Within the last mo1th, five Of
these cases have been decided by
that tribunal, in all of which the
law has been sustained. The
opponents of the law have moth
ing to do but "grin and bear it.
There is not the least probability
that for the nexttwo years at least,
the law will be changed, except to
make it more stringent if possible.
At the last session cf the Legis-
lature of Pennsylvania, the ''L9caI
Option" law was enacted. The
provisions of the law are that at
the local elections held in 1878,
the people of the several counties
were to vote on the subject Of
license or no license. # ma
jority Of the qualified voters vot-
ing at the election shall vote no
license, the authorities are pro-
hibited from granting license for
three years, when vote is to b.
again taken. From the result Of
the elections held some weeks aga
in several counties, M license
prevailed largely. The r4main,
der Of the counties held elections
on Friday. 2lst inst, and it is
quite certain with like result,
The Supreme Court quite recently
decided in favor of the coas-itu-
tionality Of this law.
Ia New Jersey, about the same
time, u law was enacted with simi.
lar provisions, the constitutional
ily OF which was questioned by It's
opponents, and it was referred to
the Supreme Court for its opinion.
The Judges sustained It's constitu-
tionalily, and the law goes into
effect.
The Legislature of Indiana have
just placed among the statues OF
the State one containing the main
provisions Of the Illinois law with
some add. tional ones. Among
the requirements is one that the
for license must procure
the signatures of a majority OF
the voters of the municipal town.
ship or ward in which he resides,
to petition for license.
Wisconsin, Ohio and Iowa have
laws similar to Illinois. In al
most every State, Legislatures
now in session are discussing
this question. 1t may be safe to
say that the present sessions will
not close till in three lourths o..
the States north Of Mason and
Dixon's line stringent laws will be
in force. There seems indeed to
be no retrogression on this ques.
tion.-PhiIa. Railacay Gmde.
--D--.-
A Pennsylvania county news
paper has been startled by the
nercenary spirityof juror in the
Superior Court of the county.
Says the rural editor: ga juror, re-
'pectably connected, and hersto-