The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-06-10
LIQUOR LAW.
Changes Made by the late Legisia-

tion, inaugurated in 1875, has been
steadily pursued with good results
Such modification as experience sug-
gests has been made by the two fol-
lowing legislatures. In 1877 the retail
tax on the business OF selling malt liq-
uors was made $50 instead of $40 as
originally, and in place OF the uniform
tax of 800 on the business OF manufac-
turing malt liquors, graduated tax
was substituted OF from $50 to 5000,
according to the amount manufactured.
Amendments Of detail were also made
to most of the sections OF the original
act.
At the session Just closed, n strong
effort was made 10 reenact the prohibi-
tory law under what was known as the
Mosher bill, but this failed on final
vote April 27, there being 81 yeas to 81
nays. Legislation on the liquor ques-
ton was therefore confined TO two bills
introduced into the Senate by Mr..
Shepard, one being Familiarity known
as the "tax bill" and the other as the
police bill, being respectfully Senate
Nos. 203 and 207.
THE TAX BILL.
This bill is a revision Of the act Of
1873 and the amendmatory act Of 1877.
It increases the rate OF taxation as fol-
lows, the lesser figurers being those
fixed by the act of 1877, and the higher
figures those of the new act: Liquor
tax, retail, Sl50-S200; liquors, whole
sale, S300-Si00; malt liquors, retail,
S35O-S65: malt liquors, wholesale,
sl00-sl50. The malt liquor manufac-
turers' tax by the act OF 1877 was $50
for any quantity over barrels and not
exceeding !, 800 barrels; over i, 800 and
less than 5000 barrels, 800; and for
any quantity over 5000 barrels, 5000.
The new act imposes tax OF 800 for
any amount manufactured annually
less than / 500 barrels, and So for
each additional 1000 barrels. Section
2 retains all the provisions OF
the corresponding sections OF the
first act, aud besides it subjects sellers
of native wine and cider by drink to
the provisions of the the law, but there
is no clause of the bill imposing any
tax or inhibition upon the sale OF either
native or imported wines or cider. un-
less they are deemed TO be included in
the terms "spirituous or intoxicating
liquors" or "fermented liquors" And
as the bill reads, il looks as though
wines and cider would have free COM
merce.
Section 2 further provides that the
possession Of intoxicating liquors by
persons who have paid the malt liquor
tax shall be prima facie evidence that
they are liquor-dealers. A form ofibond
is added which druggists are required
TO give, conditioned that they viii sell
only for chemical, scientific, medical,
mechanical, or sacramental purposes,
and the prosecuting attorney is requir-
ed to prosecute violations OF this bond.
Section requires every dealer or
manufacturer, on er before the first
Monday of May, TO file With the coun-
ty treasurer n statement in writing and
on oath, showing his residence and
where he proposes to carry on busi-
ness, and the nature Of the business,
and 20 pay the years tax in advance.
Section provides that persons COM
mencing business after the lst OF May
shall make like statement, and pay
for the balance Of the year, but that no
tax shall be for less than one-fourth oi
"a year. On the payment Of the tax the
I county treasurer is required to give a
receipt to the person paying it, and also
/ a notice printed on full size printer
cardboard and in as large letters as
practicable. containing statement oi
/ what tax has been paid and the penal
/ ty for selling liquors OF class differ
ent from that fov which the tax has
been paid, and that $40 costs will bt
paid TO the person making complaint,
upon the conviction of the offender
which notice shall be posted up, and
az all times displayed in a conspicuous
place IN the room or place where the
\ business is carried on. A failure tc
/ keep the notice posted and cOnspicu'
ousiy displayed subjects the party &c
the same penalty as for neglect or re
/ fusal 10 paw the tax. This penalty is G
/ fine OF so to 5l00 and Imprisonment
/ 10 to 90 days, aud each days violation
/ is made n separate offense. Persons
enlarging their business, but not mott
/ fying the county treasurer and paying
! the increased tax therefor, are liable tC
the same penalty; and for selling liq
uor where only beer tax is paid, go
fine or three months Imprisonment, oi
both. is the penalty, with $40 costs II
addition, TO the informer.
It is made the duty OF supervisor
and assessors within the first five days
Of each month 10 notify the count,
treasurer OF violations, and 10 Is als'
made the duty of county treasurers
sheriffs aud deputies, and police officer
20 report ali violations TO the prosecut
ing attorney, who is required TO prose
| cute the same. Any officer neglectinl
or refusing 10 do any act or thing thu
required is liable 10 penalty OF 800
The county treasurer is required q
Ale monthly statements with the coun
ty clerk. and 10 file with the audito
general and publish, on or before tn
first December in each year, an annua
statement. Moneys collected go TO th
municipalities as under the presen
law, TO the credit Of the contingen
fund, less one-half of one cent, whicl
the county treasurer may retain as hi
fees. This act will not take effect un
I'll Sept. I, 1879, aud will not be opera
tive as against those who have pail
their tax under the present law prio
to that time until the first OF May next
although persons engaging in busines
after September. 1t would probabl
come within its provisions.
THE POLICE BILL
amends sections | aud D OF the exist
ing law, as found on pages 2l2 TO u
of the laws of 1877. These section
are part OF the law of 1916, and wit
the remaining sections of that Law
form the complete act. i. contain
what is known as the personal dan
ages" clause. The new act prohibit
. the sale Of Intoxicating liquors
I places where pigeon-hole tables, bi
, lard tables, etc. are kept. As fir
/ printed, il prohibited the sale benin
! screens. etc, but this was stricken on
: II would seem that n strict constru
ton would not include beer saloons
the disabilities Of this clause. A
drinking places are, however, require
10 be closed on Sundays, election day
aud legal holidays, and at 3 o'clock
night on other days except in citl,
and villages, where 10 o'clock IS u
limit. unless the municipal authori
4 shall fix an earlier hour. In additiC
10 penalties provided by the prese