Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-07-25
GOV. HENDRICKS uNLIcENsE


The views and opinions of so
distinguished a man as the present
Governor Of Indiana upon a SUBJ
ject SO generally discussed as to
the wisdom of granting or with
holding licenses for the sale OF
liquor are worthy reconsideration,
and we believe will be read with
interest. The extract is taken from
speech delivered by Gov. III. be-
fore the Indiana State Convention
a short time ego. Whether his
conclusions are right or wrong,
they have been arrived at after
much thought and reflection, and
so impressed were the intelligent
body to whom they were address
ed, with the force and soundness of
them, that they passed, unan-
imously, a resolution repeating a
law that then existed, known as
the "Baxter Bill" and favored
"the enactment of such license
law as shall protect society and
produce a large increase of the
school fund"
1t has encountered determined
hostility on the part of those en-
gagged in the liquor business, and
for months extreme temperance
people in very extraordinary
manner have shown an unwilling
ness to abide by its provisions
Propositions will be brought before
the next Legislature for the mate
rial modification or repeal of the
Jaw. What legislati on shall take
its place? Our Supreme Court has
declared absolute prohibition TO
be impossible, 20 be unconstitu-
tional, and experience, / believe,
has shown it to be impracticable.
1T then only remains to regulate
the traffic. Any useful law must
rest upon the proposition that
there are serious evils to society
and to individuals connected with
the traffic in intoxicating liquors,
which it is the province of law to
restrain and prevent. Sales should
not be made to boys, and if neces-
sary to prevent it, the boy who
misrepresentS or concedlS his age
to obtain liquor should be punish
ed as we'll as the party who know
ingly sells to him. Drunkenness
should be punished as we'll as SELL
Ing to the intoxicated. All sales
should be forbidden when the
public peace or safety requires it,
and like other pursuits, it should
be suspended in the night time.
Perhaps the hour now fixed is I'M
necessarily and inconveniently
early, but society should be pro-
tected from the disturbances and
bloodshed incident to the traffic in
the middle of the night. / think it
might properly be considered
whether difference in regulation
could not be safely made for the
sale of vinous and malt liquors, and
the stronger and more intoxicating
drinks. There is certainly great
difference in the evils that result
from their use. With these and
other provisions as may seem rea-
sonable and necessary, / think ex-
perience justlfies the adoption of
the license system. The amount
required for the license in each
cas- should be greater than hereto
fore. 1t should be sufficient to
make the party selling feel that
his interest is identified with that
of society in preserving order and
good conduct at his place of bust
ness in avoiding all violations of
law. This policy will bring large
revenue Into the school fund and
will prove more efficient in sup
pressing the evils of intemperBnce
than the present system. l cannot
appreciate the objection that by
receiving a license fee society uses
money received from an improper
source. Under the present law
the Sta.e grants the permit, and
declares tho business lawful. IN
der a policy which we have long
maintained, every violation of our
criminal law that is punishable
by fine adds to theschool fund.
At late meeting of the Demo-