The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-04-15
The Liquor Question in Massachu-
settS

The Liquor Question in Massachu-
sets.
The old Bay State, which we believe
was the first to follow Maine in enacting
a prohibtory law, has now made legal the
contrary plan of license, q law to that eff
feet having passed both branches of the
! Legislature and received the signature Of
| Gov Castor. Although Massachusetts, was
slower than Maine to put in practice the
idea, she Went a great deal further after
she did get at it, and established a special
state police to enforce the law. The whole
scheme was found, as it is to-day in Maine
cheat and fraud Decent men sickened
Of it. Efforts have been made from time
to time for its repeal. Last year a repeal
was passed by the Legislature, and en-
ccuntered the veto of Coy. Talbot Mean
time the prohibtionists were making the
law more and more obnoxious, until the
| Legislature chosen last fall contained a
majority favoring a change.
The new law seems q very fair and SEN
sible one and it is believed will be great
| improvement by the stringent regulation
of that which, as all human experience has
proved, cannot be altogether abolished.
Bv the provisions of the new law, makers
of native wines and cider may sell without
a license when liquors are net to be drunk
on the premises. Druggists when selling
in prescriptions are exempted from the
provisions of the 9th section forbidding
sales between II and G O'Clock in the
morning and on Sundays. Importers are
allowed to sell liquors in the original
packages, provided the liquors be pure
as when imported. Licenses for one year
may be granted by mayors and alder
men and selectmen, but these officials
may refuse licenses to unworthy persons
Nothing can be construed to compel the
granting OF licenses. Innholders are al
| lowed to furnish their guests with liquors
at any hour but other licenses cannot sell
except between and Il A. Nj. Licenses
nnn only snM nnl.n linnore of standard
quality, and cannot sell to habitual drunk
ards or minors. They are also required
to keep orderly houses, and to prevent
gaming OF lewdness on premises commu-
ncating with their places of sale. Ii
censes are divided into five classes, viz:
First class. To sell liquors of any kind
tn ha ,l,anl- on tho ,,ra,OiSnc
Second class. TO sell malt liquors,
cider, and light wines containing not
more than - per centum OF alcohol, to
be drank on the premises.
Third class To sell malt liquors and
cider to be drank on the premises.
Fourth class To sell liquors of any
kind, not to be drank on the premises
Fifth class To sell malt liquors, cider,
OF light wines containing not more than
l. per centum of alcohol, not to be drank
on the premises
The fees for the first class are from
800 to $1,000; for second or third classes
from $50 to $3.50 for the fourth class
from $50 to $500; provided, however,
that distiller shall pay not less than
$500 nor more than $500; provided,
secondly, that distillers dstilling not over
80 barrels annually shall pay license fee
of 500 for the fifth class from $50 to
$50, but brewers must pay from 5000 to
S40O. Licensees must furnish to treas
Of soc n ~,
of $1,000, signed by the licensee and suf- |
tcient surety or sureties, who shall be |
jointly and severally liable, and condi-
toned for the payment of all costs, dam |
ages, and fines incurred by the violation
of the provisions of the act Separate
suits may be brought on the bond by any
person at his own expense.
The commonwealth is to receive one
fourth Of all license fees. Provision is
made for the taking OF liquors for analy-
sis, and the licensee whose liquor is taken |
for this purpose is to be reimbursed if the |
liquor proves good Provision is also made |
Tor hearings to be given to licensees who |
may be declared to have forfeited their |
licenses, and disqualified liccnsee cannot
be relicensed for one year. nor can liquors
be sold ON the premises occupied by him |
at the time of forfeiture till the expiration |
of the period OF the forfeited license. Per-
sons forfeting licenses are to be punished
by fine of from $50 to $500, or imprison-
ment for from one to six months Liquor
sellers are held responsible for all acts of
violence committed by persons to whom
they have made sales in violation of the |
act. Sales to minors are forbidden, and
the husband, wife, parent, child, guardian
or employer of any person in the habit of
drinking to excess may sue any liquor
seller in case he sells to such a person.
provided due notice not to sell has been
given in writing. Any delivery Of intox-
icating liquors from all premises save pri-
vate dwellings is evidence of sale, and
intoxicating liquors include cider, lager
beer, ale, porter and strong beer. Pro-
vision is made for the appointment of IL
cense commissions in cities, and for the
appointment by the Governor and council
of an inspector and assayer of liquors, at
salary OF $500 yearly.
Certainly one result Of this law will be
to put into the public treasury large
amount of money that will be paid for
licenses, instead of abstracting heavy sums
to pay the costs of iruitless prosecutions.
1t is believed that fair trial of this law
will result in its popular approval. as has
already been the case in Connecticut and |
many OF the western states.