The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-12-31
Lambertvslae, \. j.. Dec. 81, 1873

A New INEBRIATE LANA law respect
ing inebriat IS, containing some novel features,
was introduced into the Legislature of WASH
ington Territory, by Mr.. Alfred Snyder,
member of the House. Mr.. Snyder is a ma
tive of Hunterdon County, and for some
wears was resident of Lambertville. The
bill has become a law, and one of the leading
papers of the Territory says of 1t
i" To most persons the provisions of this
hill will be novel, nothing of its nature hav-
ing before been suggested in our Territory -
Ii is not the work of a temperance bowler,
but of a gentleman of the utmost moral and
social worth, who has given the subject much
thought, and who aims in what he thinks a
practical manner at the good of the commun-
ity.''
Below we give the bill in full
THE INEBRIATE LAW
An act to declare certain persons habitual
drunkards, and to protect them and others
in person and property.
SECTION /. Be ID enacted By The Legislature
assembly Of the Territory Of Washington
That any person addicted to the excessive use
Of Intoxicating liquors may, upon complaint
thereof made as hereinafter provided, be ad-
Judged an habitual drnnkard.
SEC Q. Either the father, husband, mother,
wife. son or daughter of any person addicted
to the excessive use of Intoxicating liquors,
or any person in the interest of the relative
aggrieved or of the general public may make
complaint to the Probate Judge of the county
wherein such person so addicted resides, that
the person complained of is an babitual
drunkard, and that, in consequences thereof,
such person is squanderng his earnings or
property or negects his business, or that he
abuses or maltreats his family which COM
plant must be verified by the oath of the
complainant to the effect that the same is
true.
SEC. g. Upon the filing of the complaint,
duly verified, the Probate Judge shall cause
copy thereof to be served upon the accused
forthwith, and shall summon him to appear
and answer giving at least ten days notice !;
and if, upon hearing of the evidence. the al
legations of the complaint are sustained, he
shall in open court declare the defendant to
be an habitual drunkard, and shall cause the
proceedings to be entered in full upon the re-
cords of his court.
SEC. d. The same fees shall be allowed to
the Probate Judge aud the Sheriff aud Con-
stable in all proceedings under the foregoing
sections of this act as are allowed by law for
like processes and services, and like fees for
witnesses, as in civil cases before Justices of
tile Peace and il the complaint is not sustain.
cd the person making the complaint shall pay
the costs, and in case the complaint is sus-
tanned, the person accused shall pay the
costs.
SEC. 5. Any person who shall sell or give
any intoxicating liquors to any habitual
drunkard, as defined in the foregoing sections
of this act, shall be deemed guilty of mis-
demeanor, and on conviction thereof by any
court having criminal jurisdiction, shall be
fined in any sum not less than fifty dollars nor
more than three hundred dollars, or be inn
prisoned in the county Jail not less than one
nor more than six months, at the discretion of
the court.
SEC. 8. Any person who shall be injured IN
person or property, or means of support, by
any habitual drunkard, as defined by this act,
while in a state of intoxication, or in conse-
quence of such intoxication, shall have a
right of action in his or her own name, sever
ally or Jointly, against any person or persons
who shall by selling or giving intoxicating
liquors 10 such hahitual drunkard. hnye cams
ed his intexlcatior whole or in part and srch
persons selling or giving such Intoxicating
liquors as aforesaid, shall be liable, severally
or jointly, for all damages sustained, and the
same may be recovered in civil action. A
married woman may bring such action in her
own name, and all damages recovered by
her shall inure to her separate use,
and all damages recovered by a minor
under this shall be paid either to such
minor or to such person, in trust for him or
her. as the court may direct.
SEC. Z. This act shall take effect and be in
force from and after its approval. 5a.
Approved, Nov. IA, 1879.
1t may be well to state shat the Probate
Judge is an officer corresponding nearly to our
Surrogate, but having certain other judicial
functions. In the States justices of the peace
should probably act in place of the probate