The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-06

pIdCeS III England where, Dy special
act of Parliament, the publics
are closed all day on the Sab
bath, and. probably, before very
long, Sunday closing will become general
here. The existing laws it is interesting to
note, give encouragement to both Sunday
closing and carly closing. Pubicans who
will agree to shut up their pieces on the Sab
bath day and to close them on other days one
hour sooner than the stipulated time get
two-seventbs bate from their license money,
or one-seventh reduction for doing either
one OF these things.
For selling after hours the publican is liza
bic to fine of not exceeding $50 for the first
otfense and of 500 for the second, and to
prove sale and consumption in a case of this
KIND 1t Is not necessary to show that any
money passed or any liquor was actually con-
sumed. 1t lis enough to show to a reasonable
certainty that liquor was about to be con-
sumed, and proof of consumption is held in
law to be evidence of sale. On those found
in public houses after hours fine not eX-
ceeding $40 may be imposed, dodgers and
travellers, OF course, excepted. A bona fide
traveller is one who is three HSles distant
from where he slept the night before. To
such person the publican may supply
liquor at any hour of the day or night, and
II he uses proper diligence 10 ascertain the
truth, he is not liable for any deception an
applicant may practice upon him. But the
applicant for refreshments as a traveller, if
not three miles from home, could be fined
SO, as two persons were recently in London.
STRINGENT REGULATIONS.
The laws governing the retail traffic in
liquor are both numerous and stringent.
Each house must display sign plainly an
nouncing what its license allows to be sold
there, and the license must be produced
whenever demanded by either the police or
revenue officials. Police constables must be
allowed entrance to the premises at any time,
under penalty of from $25 to $50 At the
same time the publican must not give or sell
liquor to one of these gentlemen when on
duty, or the law will mulct him again for
from $50 to $780, Standard measures must
be used and the penalties for adulteration
are very heavy. A fine of 500 is imbosed
tor selling beer without a license and a
beer-house keeper who sells spirits makes
himself liable for similar sum. in addition
to the excise penalties. In times of riot the
authorities may order all public houses to be
closed, and the penalty for nome compliance
is $3.50. The fine for selling spirits to child.
apparently under sixteen, as the law puts
it, is from So to $40. This is obviously one
of the weak spots in the legislation affecting
these places. For allowing prostitutes on
his premises any longer than is absolutely
necessary for them to obtain refreshments
the publican renders himself liable in the
sum OF from $50 TO 500, and a like penalty
is incurred if the house be used for illegal
gaming or betting. Any licensed person
permitting drunkenness or any violent
quarrelsome or riotous conduct to
take place on his premises or
selling liquor to any drunken person is
10 na Grst off
500 tor the second, But the law steps in at
this point for the protection of publicans.
giving them power to expel drunken or
quarrelSome persons, and making such per-
sons, who refuse to quit the premises when
asked to do so, liable to penalty of S25.
or, in default, to Imprisonment with hard
labor.
What makes it specially to the interest of
the Keepers of these houses to avoid breaking
the law is that every conviction secured
against them is entered in the license regis
ter and may, at the discretion of the magis-
trates, be Endorsed upon the publican's own
license papers, two such Endorsements call
ing Tor the forfeiture OF these instruments
and disquallfying the man from engaging in
the business for five years afterward. Own
ers of Property are also interested in having
law-abiding tenants, for conviction mill
tates against the house as we'll as the man,
only few such being needed to entirely
close up the premises. For some offenses
the license must be forfeited upon a first
conviction, as for instance, where the prem
is5S have been used as brothel, or where
an internal communication has been made
between the house licensed and some other
having no license. Detection In the latter
case exposes the offender not simply 10 the
summary forfeiture of his license but to a
fine OF $50 for every day such communica-
ton existed.
Considering how many are engaged in the
business there are comparatively few CON
victlons for any OF the offenses enumerated
above and the fact is undeniable that the
English publicans, as a whole, show a great
respect for the laws of the land Such a
hing as out and out defiance of any statute
s never attempted. Nor would it be
allowed for moment. The Parliament OF
Great Britain does i,ot make laws 10 be spat
upon. The regard shown Tor eXiSung regula-
tons is sheet anchor Of hope Tor the future
Rapid progress Is being made The next few
years will develop the most advanced
legislation, and the cheering thought to
temperance people is that the DEGREES when
once issued will he carried into effect for,
far behind the United States as this country
is, in some aspects of temperance reform, it
cannot be denied that in securing the en-
forcement of laws regulating the traffic she
Is long distance in advance of us
The liquor traffic in England is falling off
The decrease in the revenue last year as
compared with the year before was on
spirits, S939,00O and on beer 1862 $50, max
ing total of over million and half
dollarsl This as the commissioner of in
ternal revenue well observes us significant
Of altered habits and the tendency is still
increasing" So mote it bel HIT.
Monsignor Cspers Pronunciation.
National Rerubican