The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-10-23
An Anti-Local Optionist's Views.

Until the law recently passed by the Leg
islature, submitting the question of license
OF no license to voters is published, which
it is earnestly hoped all the newspapers will
do previous to the election, so that no one
may vote ignorantly, the writer offers this
brief synopsis of the act. 1t is pretty ap-
parent, from the phraseolosy, that it did
not emanate from our Senator nor Dele
gates, nor is of their composition, but came
out of some foreign shop; and think this
the more, since it contains an element Of
slyness not native to our people.
For example, the LIST section says that the
voters shall upon their ballots print or write
50 for the sale of Spirituous or termented
liquors or alcoholic bitters," or against
the sale of spurious or fermented liquors or
alcoholic bitters.'' Here the reader will
observe that wine is not to be voted upon
by the people
But the 2nd section provides that, if the
vote shall be against the sale of the drinks
mentioned in the LIST section, it shall not be
lawful to sell or give away Intoxicating
drinks of any kind, cider excepted. That
is, Il vote against spirits and beer shall be
held to be a vote against wine Chat for sac
ramental purposes not even being eXcepted)
so that the people are being persuaded that
they have Il vote upon 4 sui.ject-the sale
or giving away of wine-upon which they
have no vote.
The :'rd section provides that, if any per-
son shall sell, or give away, directly OF in
directly, at his, her, or their place of bust
ness any Intoxicating drinks of any kind
(cider eXcepted), he, she, or they shall for
the first time be fined from fifty to TWO hum
dred dollars, or go to Jail for thirty days, or
both; and for the second and every subSe-
quent time, from two hundred to i've hum
bred dollars, or sixty days in Jail, or both,
and shall be confined, besides, in the county
Jail until the fine and costs are paid, one
half the fine To go IL the informer
AS the farmers residence is his only place
of business-if lie or his good wife shall give
away "A glass of blackberry or elderberry
wine, the 3rd section Just quoted will point
out the penalty and punishment he or she
will be subjected to, and any magistrate
shall have jurisdiction with the right of
appeal.
BY the 3rd section, any physician who
shall prescribe any such liquors to any per-
son not actually sick, or unless such liquor
/ is absolutely required as Il medicine, shall
undergo the same punishment and penal
ties-county Jail and all. Pray, who is to
judge whether the patient is actually sick,
or whether the liquor is absolutely required
As Il medicine ms ACT seems 10 DE not 50
much for the amendment of manners rs for
spiteful and vindictive purposes.
But, voters, read the law for yourselves
do not rely upon any persons representa-
ton of it, | read, last Saturday, in my
weekly paper from the city (Which | take
in addition to the county papers, that Judge
Parker, in an address to the lawyers ut Sara
toga, used the following language:
'As is usual, numerous attempts have
been made to regulate the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors. The Legislatures of Maryland
and Virginia, following the example of other
States, seem 10 have adopted the principle
of Sir Wiltrd Lawson's Permissive Bill, of
which we hear from across the water now