Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-09-07
Views of Former Resident of Per.
rysburg on the Gpe rations of
the Maine Law.

Since the policy OF prohibition became
settled in this State, its advocates have.
through legislation, continually augmented
the penalties for trafficking in liquor until
at present it is one of the most severely
punished misdemeanors upon the Statute
books, and the most rabid prohibitionists
are nov endeayoring 10 make 1t felony
with all the pains and penalties thereto
attaching. Whether they will succeed in
what,to many seems perversion, or wheth-
er by the harshness of their proposed
enactments they will raise storm of op-
position that will sweep away their care
fully devised laws, is question.
As it is, the methods employed in the
enforcement Of the law include many par
ticulars that only now and then come to
the attention of the public in genera and
are only known to the lawyers and ire
quenters OF the courts. Some of these are
especially aggravating and annoying to the
dealers and the law see ms to aim at max
ing the trade not only opprohrious but as
| expensive as possible. The method of
operating is briefly This; The law abso.
lntely forbids the sale OF any and all liq-
uors, beer, ale and cider, and only allows it
to he sold by town agencies. 1t is made
the duty Of every sheriff 10 see the law is
enforced aud he is allowed a very liberal
scale OF fees for every seizure Of contra
band goods, every warranable monition.
This makes it differently remunerative for
number OF special deputies who prowl
around every suspected place, and haunt
the de,ols and express Offices. Upon the
appearance OF any drug like liquor they
seize it in the most expeditions way and
cart it off to place OF safe. keeping. Then
the deputy makes oath before the Judge
that he believes the liquor was intended
for sale, and the judge then issues his war
rant directing deputies to seize the liquor,
advertise it, or post ii as nonition, and
summon the supposed owner To the next
court to answerfor having lignor. On ap
pointment the case comes on, il there is
any appearances OF the owner, and evidence
ia heard as to the real intention of the
owner. If it appears that it was for sale,
the Judge orders the liquor destroyed, and
imposes fine Of 500 on the owner. II il
is a second offense the offender Is fined
800 and costs, and on third offense he
is fined and imprisoned in Jail il-irqm thirty
days ID three months. In the case OF sim
gle sale where no liquor is captured the
fine and imprisonment follow tile ofiense
In the sa me order. The provisions of the
law can be made very harsh in their oper-
ton by Judge who is in sympathy with
the officers, and one of the worst features
of this law is the tendency TO take polii-
cal drift and shield the friends and OPP
press the enemiss Of the sheriff.
1t will be seen that If those provisions
were vigorously enforced they would soou
drive the offenders out of the business
but as matter of fact there is largely
increasing sale OF liquors going on in thi'
Slate, in many places 80 openly that il
suggests to stranger that bribery or po-
lilical collusion must account for it. Sncl
inefiicieney in the officers is so noticeabl,
Just before elections, that sometimes tn,
oficeholders elected can be truly said 10 b,
the run, successor, though perhaps 1t bs
, the prohibition nominee.
> Well, think have written enough o
this dry subject, and will dismiss it fo
the present. have thought about moth
5 ing but Law for week, and think il
I continue TO interest myself with il mncl
. longer ! shall be able to practice befor
, the bar. Respectfully,
MARY A. CnIToN.
/ Portland, Maine, Sept. l, 's3.