Morning journal and courier., 1882-08-29
r. EGGL1 STON, Secre ary.
 New Haven, Conn.,, Aug. Is, 1882.
D1;. BAsCom ON PROHIBITION.

DIR. BASCOM ON PROHIBITION.
 Dr. John Bascom, president of Wisconsin State University, is one of the ablest men in fore what he has to say concerning this burning question: is especially interesting He lays down the proposition that the liberty of the individual is the great trust of the government. All civil law is 8 restraint and in narrow sense opposed to personal liber- ty. But there Is difference between the savage notion Of liberty, entertained by the brutal and lawless man, and the enlightened notion of the thoughtful and refined man, as both these classes exist In society. So the question must be asked in reference to any new law or measure, Will it make for the largest growth and liberty of human powers, despite any clamor that may be raised against it on the ground Of it's restraining liberty in certain narrow lines of action? This ques- tion meets us in choosing between the unre- strained manufacture sale and use of intoxi eating drinks and their prohibition. In view of the enormous and acknowledged evils of intemperance, an unrestrained liquor traffic is tolerated in comparatively few communi- ties. The supervision of law is conceded. Then the question comes between license system and prohibition. The prevalent method has been license, modified by more or less stringent system of restraints. While the traffic has been deemed too unsafe to ad- nit of liberty, it has also been deemed too necessary and unavoidable to allow of sup. pression.
 Dr. Bascom does not think that the license system has been reasonably successful in full filling it's professions and intentions. Gov ernment has assumed the responsibility of the traffic, and has shown itself unable to meet that responsibility. It has never found those who would stand firmly st the food gates of license. Those engaged in tho traffic almost uniformly avail themselves of the law :, so far as it aids them, but disregard it's un comfortable restraints. They are glad of it's admission and sanction to their traffic, and ready to forget it's limitations Even the ex- pectations founded on the selfishness of the trade have failed The licensed dealers very seldom interfere with those selling without a license. While license system develops nc inherent disposition to take care of itself, il is not easily taken care of by outsiders. Tenn perance men are indisposed to enforce par tial and insufficient legislation. They object to shoudering vehicle which they cannot push forward, and which has powerful ten dency to go back on them. They claim they have no call to put thumb to tap whict they can neither cover nor close. Dr. Bas com admits that license laws have at timei somewhat reduced the evils Of intemperancs but denies that their administration is often or for any length of time, in the interest o any thorough restraint
 Dr. Ba3com believes that, granting the time l is not yet ripe for prohibition, the only way ] to get ready for it is by the long and bracins conflict in which temperance men shall win permanent working majority; and that i l the Republican party, to which no inconsid l erable allegiance has been due for weight, I reasons in the past is now suffering iron 1 the diseases and inabilities of old age to tn
 extent that with purblind vision, it has {,
 hunt East and West for some plausible plat
 form from which politician can sec an of
 fee, to tho evasion of great moral and soca
 issues then this question of temperance ma | well become the nucleus of 8 reform part
 that would help to renovate our politics, bot | local and national