Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-02-18
Temperance Legislation.

A committee Of the Massachusetts, legis-
lature have been hearing arguments on the
question of the repeal Of the civil damage
law. The reasons for the repeal OF the law
were in substance that 1t was wrong to Ii
cense man to sell liquor and then hold him
responsible for the acts Of those who drank
IL. II selling liquor is wrong and sin,
then prohibit and punish it, said the repeal
ers, and yet these are the men who oppose
a prohibitory law. The defence claimed
that the repeal Of the law would be in the
interest Of rich landlords, who want to let
their buildings for the sale Of rum, needless
of the damage they do to property and bust
ness in the vicinity. Men who can get
higher rents by letting their stores to liquor
dealers, 1t was said, can afford to pay for the
damage they do their neighbors. The fate
Of the civil damage law does not appear as
yet, only that the liquor interest is power
in politics and quite likely to carry its meas
ures. On the whole matter Of temperance
legislation, whether for civil damage, license
or prohibition, the temper of the present
legislature has been tested.
A new excise bill for New York city is
before the legislature at Albany. 1t pro-
poses TO limit the sale Of liquor by limiting
the number of bar-rooms to a fixed proper
ton to the population, and by prohibiting
any new one to be licensed within five hun
bred feet of one already established. 1t is
proposed to grant the license to the house,
not to the individual 1t would likewise
change the rules of evidence established by
the police justices, so that the possession of
liquor in store will raise a presumption
against the unlicensed owner, and sale of
liquor coupled with advertisements Of gin,
rum, brandy, and the like, shall constitute
sufficient case against him, without making
it necessary for witnesses to have them
selves tasted the articles.
A heavy verdict was rendered in the
Brooklyn city court last week, under the
civil damage act, to Mrs. Catharine Banta.
She recovered verdict of $4,000 against
Francis G. Queredo as the owner of house
which was rented to Mrs. Fulton. The
plaintiff claimed that her husband spent
900 at Mrs. Fulton's place, and also mort
gagged his real estate and squapdered the
proceeds there, failing to provide adequately
for her support. As Mrs. Fulton was not
considered financially responsible, the action
was brought against Mr.. Queredo as the
owner. The defence was that he was not
aware that liquor was sold or that the house
had been rented for that purpose. The case
may go to higher court, but the principle
of damages against landlords under like cir
cumstances has been pretty well settled, and
this appears to be strong case
Neal Dow and his associates are asking
that the Maine liquor law be so amended as
to provide that United States license for
wholesale and retail sale shall be regarded
as proof positive and direct evidence OF
illegal sale, and persons taking out such a
license shall be fined three hundred dollars
and costs with an additional penalty of one
year in Jail.
The popular branch of the Iowa legisla-
ture has adopted, seventy-eight to twenty
one, a special order submitting to the popu
lar vote constitutional amendment pro-
hibiting the sale or manufacture in Iowa of
liquors.