Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1881-03-04
The LOCAL OpIisn BlAi.

wednesday VIII % tnAt low oA"o's
The Senate no doubt will by the time
it has done with it, have modified IL
and explrged from itmany OF the most
Objectionable features of the bill to
those who favor and those who oppose
local option. The frat section Of the bill lie
swesping in its declaration, and at onos
declares the manufacture and sale OF
intoxicating liquors in the State q
nuisance except under the provisions
OF the act. As the laws Of the State are
very stringent and Of somewhat sum-
mary character, it is supposed that
under this eection they can be applied
to the illegal sale of liquors, and will
abolish the nuisance in 4 summary
manner.
Section second Of the bill empowers
the Court to license druggists. TO cell
liquors for sacramento mechanical and
medicinal purposes as they are licensed
under the present law. and it also
provides that the jourt may license
responsible intelligent and respec-
table persons to manufacture liz
uorS for the purposes only mention
ed, and for this privilege they are to
nav license of $25 to the State. This
is the section that was opposed by some
who we're Temperance men, amongst
them being T. N. Williams, of Sussex,
q strong advocate Of prohibitory legisla-
ton, who voted against the bill Cd its
passage on account Of the liberty al
lowed by this section. But on the otht
hand we presume those who have here
tefore been engaged in the sale Of
liquors, and would have engaged in ii
again in the absence Of this bill, think
it is strong enough. This druggist
business has always been the sticking
point in all local option and prohibi,
tory bills. No doubt there are many
who will take advantage of this section
and by taking out license as a druggist
will sell it as a beverage to any thirsty
soul who wants it. The Court however
which from it's charge at the February
term in this city may be supposed to
have strong sympathies with prohibi'
tory legislation will probably keep .
sharp eye on this weak point.
The third Section is q long and in
some respects lame section. II pro
vides that in addition to the qualiHca-
tons now required which we presume
means getting testimonials Of char,
aetsr signed by twelve citizens In
the country and twenty four In the
city. and to be published as usual
in the newspapers, majority, OF the
legal voters Of the county are required
to give their assent to the granting Of
the license and the petition is to be
signed in their own hand writing, and
two substantial treeholders are to be
qualified that the petition contains a
majority Of the voters compared with
the vote east at the last preceding gen.
aral election. This must be very
lame and cumbersome part Of tie bill
or else We fail to comprehend Its mean
inu. From its wording We are led to
eouclude that IL Mr.. Price who keeps
the Practical Farmer in Brandywine
Hundred wanted to apply for renewal
Of his license, his petition for license
must be signed by majority Of the le'
gal voters not Of Brandywine which IT,
self would be impracticable, nor Of the
school district in which the "Farmer'
Ia located, but Of the whole county
A petition containing some nine thous
and names would be formidable petit
ton indeed, but we doubt whether thu
expense incurred in getting a majority
of the voters to sign petition woult
nay, especially as the question after
wards would be left to the discretion O.
tina court. There may be others VIII
see this part Of the bill in difsren
lieht, but II there are now Is the tim
for them to explain the meaning OF II
II the trainers Of the bill intended
arrive at total prohibition by this me:t
d they :.might as we'll have said SO .
onea and not load 1t down with sue
Representatives,. Bat this seetio
has two strings to Its bow. 1t also pr
vide. that on the first Saturday in jur
an election Ia to be held and II M
iority Of the voters Of county say til
licenses shall be granted then they a
% be granted at the discretion OF u
court.
section FIVE Of the bill designat'
what kind of liquors are to bs deems
Intoxicating, amongst which are brand.
whisksy, gin, rum, wine, ale, bee