The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-02-08
A PRACTICAL Success.

In opposition to the wishes of many
with whom it would work in harmony,
and in the face of much abuse from
some really good, but misguided peo-
pie, this journal has long maintained
that wholesale temperance reform 10y
means of prohibitory laws is Il practi
cal impossibility; that the only posi-
bic step toward temperance reform 10y
means of laws is restrictions; and that
| high-lcense system is the only and
the sure instrument of restriction. 1t
| finds ground for and support of these
| theories in the failure of the prohib-
itory laws in Maine, Kansas and other
states, and its judgment is vindicated
by the operations of the high license
| law of Nebraska, which went into eff
feet something more than year ago,
and which Lincoln dispatch of the
lst uIt. pronounced IA complete prac
| tical success a Chicago paper, com
menting on this dispatch, gives the
chief points of the law, which will be
of interest here: Licenses are granted
| by the county commissioners, or city
authorities. Before any license can
be granted the petitioner must present
petition for the same, signed by 30
| freehold residents of the precinct or
city. This petition must be set forth
| that the applicant Is man of respect
able character and standing, and the
place where the liquor is to bc sold.
Ii in II town or village with less than
| 10000 inhabitants, he must at the
same time pay into the county treas
ury the sum of 5000; if in a town or
city of more than 10000 inhabitants,
$1,000. This money goes TO the school
! fund and is no inconsiderabl9 sum,
when the aggregate is considered. If
the individual making application for
license has been engaged in the traffic
heretofore IA remonstrance setting forth
wherein he has violated the law may
be filed If it be found true that he
has violated the provisions of the law,
IA license shall be denied. lie may APP
peal to the courts. Acting upon this
provision of the law the temperance
people of the city of Lincoln last spring
demonstrated against the granting of
licenses to the old saloon keepers. AS
IA consequence, they were obliged to
sell out nominally or in fact, and to
to take out licensu in another name.
Next. the vender of intoXicants must
give Il bond, with two freehold sure
ties, to the state of Nebraska, in the
|
he will not violate any of the provis-
ions of this act, and that he will pay
all damages, fines, and penalties, and
forfeitures which may be adiudged
against him under the provisions of
this act.n Suit may be brought upon
this bond by any one injured by the
sale of intoXicants.
Any one selling without license and
H.nn,nI of is1a M
and, upon conviction shall he fined in
any sum not less than Sl00 or more
than 5000 for each offense, or he i'm
prsoned thirty days. A fine of 500
is imposed foi selling adulterated IL
quors. In addition to the right of ac-
ton on the bond, a civil right for dam
ageSis given any one injured 10y the
sale of liquors. Suit may also be
brought for the maintainance of any
Incorporate pauler. Druggists are
required to comply with the same pro-
visions, except the payment of the Ii
cense. They are granted permits and
must keep 1. register of all liquors sold.
Saloon windows and doors must be
kept free from screens aud paint. y
penalty Of $40 is imposed for treating
or offering to treat. Saloons must
close at 10 z. NJ. and remain so until j
A. NJ. They must not be open at all
sunday. The two last provisions have
been strictly complied with in Lin
coin.
These are the most important pro-
visions of the Nebraska law. The
number OF saloons has been greatly di-
minished. Omaha has now less than
hundred and Lincoln has but eleven.
The low dives have disappeared and
the existing saloons are all in the
hands of orderly and responsible men.
Gross drunkenness has been to great
extent done away with.-Orogonidn.