Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-03-10
TIE TEMPERANCE OU7ZoON

Any one whose opinion is worth consulting
at all, would, II he could, place liquor beyond
the reach OF those upon whom it works mis-
ehiei' That Is to say, every sensible man is
theoretically in favor of prohibition, however
much he may question the practical utility of
prohibitory laws. That such laws have worked
Wen under certain exceptionally favorable con.
uiiiohS' Is true, but 1t is equally true that in
most cases their efficient enforcement has
proved impraotcable. The existence of any
law is justified only by the possibility of its en-.
iorcement, and where such enforcement is i'm.
possible any law becomes at once worse than
useless Tor II provokes popular contempt. One
such law weakens all Others, by suggesting that
they too may be broken with IMMUNITY. Mr.
Henry Hitchcock recently delivered an address
NJ 81. LOUIS, before the State Bar Association,
which brings together, in compact form, the
legislation OF different states on this vital ques
non. iowa passed the most sweeping enact
men, IN me shape OF constitutional amend
msh', absolutely iorbidding the manufacture or
sale oil any Intoxicating liquor within her limits,
anu uaVeiers on through lines OF railroad have
mad me satisfaction, or otherwise, of seeing
posted IN palace cars, and at railway restau.
rants, notices to the effect that liquors cannot
be had. One OF the state courts, however,
pronounced the amendment unconstitutional
on technical grounds, and its decision is now
confirmed on appeal by the State Supreme
Court. In Mississippi the sale Of liquors has
been prohibited in fifty different towns. One
county permits the sale of malt liquors alone,
while another allows liquors of any kind to be
sold IN only one OF its towns. Another act
curionsy permits the sale of liquors within a
radius OF seven miles OF two specified churches,
whose denomination, by the way, it would be
interesting to ascertain. So il is with other
,,sttk a.
south Carolina similar set OF provisions sub
sisis, with special laws for certain localities,
while general statute provides for a local op.
ton vote IN any city, town or village, a MAORI.
tyto decide on "hcense" or "no license, " but
eSempting from prohibition in any event do
nestle wine sold by the gallon. This, by the
way, would seem to indicate an approach TO
the town meeting" idea of New England
certainly most desirable innovation. I'm Ken.
lucky special acts regulate the sale of liquors in
the different counties, as in the two states iust
named and, in some instances public sen,i.
ment has changed, local prohibitory laws hay.
ing been repealed presumably in accordance
with change OF opinion on the part of the PEG.
pie. In Texas local option lawha been in force
foI some time, and was slightly amended in
1851 In Ohio the POND Law imposing
heavy tax ON dealers, was overruled as uncons.
n'u,ionai, being in conflict with the general
prohioi'ion OF licenses. Another law prohibited
sunday sales wherever liquor was sold on
weekdays, but this is understood to have
proved a dead letter. In Massachusetts the
Incense law has lately been made more strin.
gent IN prophetic anticipation, perhaps, Of
Senerai Buffers accession to the Governor.
shipi and Connecticut has license OF no
Incense law. dependent upon the vote OF town
mee'ings- Here, too, the seller is made respon.
Sp'e Tor damage done by men made drunk
ON his premises, and sales to habi,ual drunk.
ards, minors, or persons already intoxicated,
are made punishable according to the gravity
OF the oaense. II is evident from ali these