The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-07-31

Of IFS provisions unwise and impolitic.
Before signing the bill, / examined il
with all the care the time allowed would
permit. called to my assistance two
of the ablest lawyers OF the State, and
! came TO the conclusion that its provs-
ions were not i'm violation of the consti-
sutton. IL was not "A case of hasty or
inconsidcrate legislation. 1t was delib-
erately considered in both branches OF
the legislature. Believing the bill to be
constitutional and that il expressed the
deliberate Judgment and will Of the leg.
lslatnrc, ii was my duty TO sign il.
believe the veto power is conferred to
arrest unconstitutional and hasty legis-
lation in derogaton of fundamental and
essential rights such as the equality of
representation. and not to enable the
governor 10 oppose his opinions 10 those
OF the peoples immediate representa-
tives upon questions OF mere policy, or
police regulation.
That law tthe Baxter bill) has not re-
ceiyed the popular support necessary to
make it efficient. 1t has encountered
determined hostility on the part OF those
engaged in the liquor business; and for
many months extreme Temperance pco-
pie in "A very extraordinary manner have
shown an unwillingness 10 abide by it,
provisions.
Propositions will be brought before
the next legislature for the material
modification. or repeal. Of the law What
Legislation shall take its place? Our Su-
preme Court has declared absolute pro-
hibltion 20 be unconstitutional. and ex-
periencc. | believe. has shown il to be
impmcticable. 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 il Is the province of law 10 restrain
aud prevent. Sales should not be made
to boys; aud. II necessary TO prevent IT,
the bov who misrcprescnts or conceal>l
his age To obtain liquor. should be pun-l
ished rs well ms the party who knowing
ly sells TO him. Drunkenness shouldi
be punished as we'll as selling to the in
soxicated. All sales should be forbidden
when the public peace or safety requires
~; and. like other pursuits, il should bel
suspended in the might-lime. Perhaps
the hour now fixed Is Unnecessarily and
inconvcnientlv early. but society should
be protected from the disturbances and,
bloodshcd incident to the traffic in the
middle of the night.
think il might properly be consider
cd whether a difference in regulation
could not safely De made for the sale of,
vinous and malt liquors and The strong-l
er and more Intoxicating drinks. There
is certainly great difference in the evils,
that result from their use.
THE LICENSE SYSTEM.
with these aud such other provisions
as may seem reasonable and necessary. <
! think experience iustiiies the adoption
Of the license system. The amount re- Il
quired for the license in each case should
be greater than heretofore. Ii should
be sufficient to make the party selling
feel that his interest is identified withf
that OF society in preserving order aud /,
good conduct M bis place of business.
and avoiding all violations of law. This
policy will bring a large revenue into
the school fund and will prove more ef- I,
ilcient in suppressing the evils OF intem- |
pcrance than the present system. | can-Ii
not appreciate the objection that by re-e
ccivlng license fee society uses money
received from an improper source. Unit
der the present law, the state grants thcli
permit and declares the business law fil. !
Under a policy which we have long
every violation Of our crimi-,
nal law that j. punished bv fine adds TO
the school fund. No law upon this sub
ject can be useful unless supported byl.
public opinion in its favor. The wise,
legislator considers the weakness as well,
n the strength. the follies a. well a. the,
wisdom Of man. and adapts The laws 10
his real wants and necessities.
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
The recently constructed republican
state platform appeals with pride" to
Us fidelity to duty; To is freedom from
taint or suspicion to its reforms: to it,
resistance TO wrong. and lis exposure OIL
its iaithless ani dishonest agents. Was.
ever SO bold an appeal made TO the ere
dulity OF mankind! Did the authors
really suppose they could impose upon i,
my voter by such an appeal Is VIII,
Ilams not still the Acknowledgement \ !
l. Moses not now the governor OF south
Carolina. with the indictment for the,
penitentary crime upon him? Are the
district Judges not still in Office. against
whom proceedings for impeachment ,
were instituted! Does the Louisiana
crime against Republican institution,
not remain unrebukcd? And are then
guilty parties not now in the endowment.
Of the fruits Of the crime "a crime so
odious as TO make republican senator's
ten"unce i as cloud upon the fair,