The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-05-19
Temperance Legislation.

EDITOR CITIZEN THE New Orleans
Democrat of late date has an article on
'The Anti-Liquor Movement" in which
it is said: "There has never been q
greater demand for prohibitory legisla-
ton in this country than just at present.
A temperance law has been agitated and
pressed before every legislature now in
session. Thirteen states are named
where the question has assumed the
greatest Importance, with some of the
results of the agitation, indicating quite
an advance in temperance legislation
and no retrogIade movement in a sim
gle state. Tennessee is not mentioned,
and yet the question was prominent be-
fore the late session of our legislature
from the opening week to the closing
and some good legislation for temper
ance was done. The amendment to the
act anent furnishing liquor to minors
was good. All who violate it incur the
penalty of forfeiture of license for one
year. and it is not necessary for liquor
dealers to be notified not to sell or give
to minors as heretofore. The excellent
four mile and Sunday laws remain
intact, regardless of the many petitions
of liquor dealers to modify the one and
repeal the other. Many corporationapf
towns were abolished and almost dahy
institutions of learning are being incor-
pOrated that the citizens of town and
country may get rid of the whisky traf-
fic. A bill passed the House, A for aud
IL against, allowing towns of l,5OO in
habitants or less to decide by vote
whether or not the four mile law should
include them, but was defeated in the
Senate Is to IL. II the Senators from
Giles and Williamson had voted aye in
stead of nay, we could have rid many
small towns of the whisky traffic which
must endure the evil until another ses-
sion ofthe legislature.
Our Maury County Temperance Com
vention on April 21st was well attended
and passed good resolutions. Several
very promine ent men were there. A
mass meeting is to be held in Columbia
August IL in the NJ. E. church, the con-
vention meeting that day in the court
house.
/ trust the friends of peace, order and
sobriety in Giles will be just as ready
and willing to take action in any and
all measures to promote the permanent
welfare of the state as any other county.
A very good move has been made in
the southern and eastern part of the
county during the past year or more in
the Incorporation of institutions of
learning. / can testify of the remarka-
bly, good effects of the four-mile law
wherever tested to the extent of my
own observation. Judge Mcconnell,
who has eight counties in his mountain
district or circuit, writes that there is
not single town save one that has not
surrendered its charter in the eight
counties to get the benefit of the four
mile law, which has completely revolu-
toned those counties. Before the clos
ing of the saloons on court and public
days the streets would be thronged
with drunken and boisterous men. Now
he seldom sees a drunken man in the
large crowds that attend his courts.
The people are as orderly ard quiet on
public days as If they had met for re-
ligious worship. Crime has been re-
duced sixty per cent. in four years, ac-
cording to the written evidence of the
Judge. Let all who prefer order, peace
and absting OF crime, especially blood
shed, give their whole influence for the
cause of temperance. S. NJ. CHERRY.
Mt. Pleasant, May 4.