The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-02-26
The LIQUOR License Law.


causing much comment. That comment is
equally, as matter of course, favorable to
the action of the jury in the premises, or adj
verse as the interests or previous opinion of
the party utlering it dictates. Our own
views coincide with those of a large number
of citizens, who, like ourselves, profess to be
unbiased in the matter by any particular
prejudice, but who are, at the same time,
sincerely and al xously DESTROYS of perma-
nent reform in the manner in which spiritu-
Gus liquors have been heretofore sold by ire
sponsible and injudicious persons in the
county. We have always doubted the FEAST
hily of reforming drunkards or preventing
the use of spirituous liquors by legislative
cnactments, but nevertheless we recognize
The fact that the evil has grown beyond safe
bounds, and some additional restraints arc
necessary in the sale of tie article
The law under which the grand jury acted
admitting its intention TO be q good one
nevertheless lacks two essential attributes
that should be found in every act of assem-
bly,, namely, universally in its application to
the class to be affected by it, and stability of
operation
AS to the first point. BY its provisions
grand jury may be selected at the next Feb
ruary term of Court who will grant TO one
man in Hartford county the exclusive priyi-
lcge of selling spirituous liquors. They can
do so under its provisions if they feel so in
clned. Or they may grant the privilege to
favored few, say one man in each district,
if any one prefers so to put the example.
The present jury did not discriminate, but
refused all. The next jury may not take
similar view of the question, and may license
all, OF may create monopoly in favor of
one man or few men, without at all sub.
serving the interests of the temperance
cause
AS to the second points want of stabi-
ity. This we have minated above The
present jury have adopted one line of con-
duct in the premises. The next jury may
adopt another and an entirely different one
One year the friends of temperance may
have cause to rejoice that King Alcohol
has been chained for a season. The next
year they may have reason tolament the I'M
restricted sale of intoxicating liquors.
The intelligent advocates of temperance
do not look upon the action of the grand
jury just referred to as any actual triumph of
the temperance cause, but regard it rather as
tortuitous eyent-welcome, though unex-
pected. The accident of different set of
twenty-three men, at the next February term,
may undo all that is now done.
Another source of trouble is likely to arise
from this law. Will il not undoubtedly lead
tokhe untoward and indecent action of cleo
ticneering as to whose names are to be plac-
cd in the jury box from this time forth, in the
interests of the one or the other class, so that
that the purity of the jury system will even
tually become tainted? 1t is true that the
Judge is bound by his oath of office TO place
III the jury box only the names of "wise and
discreet persons" but he is not bound to
make inquiry as TO their individual opinions
upon the subject Of temperance and being
obliged to rely in some degree upon those
surrounding him when the drawing is made,
for the names Of suitable persons the occa-
sion may be availed of by eager partisans,
whose motives are concealed from the Judge.
We do not propose here to discuss what
might, perhaps, have been better plan to
avert and restrain the evil of intcmperance
but we are free to say that we do not believe
the present law will accomplish that result,
even II it can stand the test of the courts as
ii constitutional measure. Let it be repealed,
or mt least modified so rs to prevent GRAND
juries from discriminating unjustly, as they
may do under the present law, if SO inclined.
Let us have law which will, from year to
year, be universal in its application and fix.
ed and certain in its operation.
Another idea in connection with this mat.
ter is already cropping out that We hope to
sec receive its quictus at once. 1t is being
ntimaled that political parties in the county
are TO be made subscrvient to the question
next fall. If that means that a distinct or
ganization is TO be put up for the occasion,
we deprecate the idea most sincerely. The
Democratic party is just coming into power
in our national councils. 1t is now being
marshalled everywhere throughout The
length and breadth of the land for n Water
loo contest with the enemies of free govern.
mcnt led by General Grant for third term.
1t needs every man it can rally. 1t should
be diverted by no divisions in its ranks. The
Democratic party is not in any sense either
anti,temperance or temperance The lati-
tude of opinion allowed within its ranks is
conservative and wholesome. little major
ity choose, it can easily select the men with
in its own organization and under lis own
banner, whose private opinions coincide with
their own upon the question of temperance
to represent them in the halls of legislation
but they have no right, at this time above all
others, to disrupt party ties and Join with
our political opponents to weaken the DEM
cracy. Let that idea be abandoned at once.
There is as much temperance as anthem
perance within our lines, according to the
private opinions of every member of the par
ty; and we are proud to say that the Demo-
cratic party does not force upon its members
any particular rule of action upon matters
not distinctly pertaining TO its own party
faith.
---oe -
EXTRA SESSION OF THE SENATE.-Presi-
dent Grant has issued his proclamation call
ing an extra session of the l.. s. Senate. to
convene on the 9Th of March, All the newly