Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-24
BE TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS,

l.
The scriptures enjoin us to be temperate
in all things. The advice was we'll intended,
and we are decidedly of the opinion that it
is good advice. For that reason we opposed
the adoption of the prohibitory liquor law
proposed for adoption in the House last week.
The bill was not temperate bill, but the
most Incorporate one it has ever been our
fortune to inspect, and for that reason we
were of opinion that no person who sincerely
desired to advance the cause of temperance
would support it. The bill in question was
extremely stringent in its provisions, pun
ishing with fine and imprisonment all per-
sons who had liquors for sale, all persons
who had liquors in their possession. and all
persons who should give away liquors. It
furthermore gave to the officers of the State
the power to search any public or private
house in the State, and if liquors were found
there, it was made prima facie evidence that
these liquors were designed for sale, and the
possessor was liable to all the pains and pen
alties of the act. Thirteen OF the twenty eight
sections of the bill prescribed penalties, almost
as severe as those prescribed for felonious
assault or highway robbery, and man who
kept half-pint bottle of liquor in his house
to be used in an emergency in case of sick
ness was equally liable to punishment with
person who kept it manifestly for sale. It
by one of the most earnest temperance men
in the State-Mr. Goff-as an exceedingly
Incorporate bill, and for that reason he op-
posed it. Other avowed temperance men
opposed it on the same ground, and also be-
cause of the fact that prohibitory legislation
generally has been failure.
The vote in the House on the passage Of
the bill in question does not represent the
temperance element in that body. Several
members voted for the bill simply because it
was temperance measure; some simply for
buncombe. The majority of the temperance
men, who are really sincere in their opinions,
voted against the measure. Messrs. Benson
and Bean made perhaps the most potent
arguments against the passage of the bill.
The former had had experience in Massa-
chusetts, and had assisted in enforcing the
prohibitory laws there. He gave it as his
deliberate opinion that the consumption of
liquor was in no way decreased by these
laws. He made an earnest plea, however,
that the work of temperance should be
diverted to saving the young from falling
into the pernicious habit, and entreated
every member to assist in legislation which
should effectually keep liquor from the boys.
Mr.. Bean made the point-and he stated
that he did not know the taste of liquor,
though At years of age-that the place for
prohibitory laws was at the Preside, and that
laws which attempted anything else would
inevitably prove to be failures.
Another point was made in the debate,
which Mr.. Satterlee, of Minneapolis, attempt
ed to refute in the GLOBE of Friday-that as
the consumption of liquor decreased the con-
sumption of other stimulants increased, par
ticularly opium. One of the members
showed from official statistics that the con-
ten years in the single State of Maine from
one hundred to three hundred pounds. This
is an increase of two hundred per cent. or
9,216,OOO doses of the drug per annum. This
shows at least that opium and morphine
have to a large extent taken the place of al
coholic liquors. Any one who knows
the effects of liquor and opium will not dis
pute the assertion of the GLOBE that the
opium habit is one s'beside which drunken
ness almost assumes the dignity of a viz
tue," Mr.. Satterlee to the contrary notwith-
standing.
The bill in question was we'll disposed of.
We are of the opinion that all such igisla-
ton is wrong in principle, and for the rea-
son that instead of checking the evil of in
temperance it assists and stimulates it.