Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-07
THE "scoTr Law"

The test in Ohio of the constitutionality
of what is known as the "Scott Law is
attracting attention throughout the Union.
The hearing Of the argument is set for to.
day. Its principles have been put in issue in
3 political campaign just opening in the
Buckeye State, A sketch of its features
viii therefore be of interest. The first
section declares that the business of trafick-
ing in intoxicating liquors shall be annu-
ally assessed, and each person carrying it
on shall pay to the county, for each place,
goo per year, and for malt and vinous
liquors 500. The assessment by Section
becomes lien upon the realty where
the liquor is sold, and no one shall sell
liquor upon land not owned by him with.
out written consent of the owner, under
penalty of fine not exceeding Sl0e nor
less than S25 for each day, with the alter
native of imprisonment. Section 5 pro.
vides the method OF assessing and for re-
fusal to furnish the Assessor with proper
information, the penalty is an increase of
the assessment to 1915 and for selling
spirituous liquors after reporting intention
to sell malt liquors, the assessment shall
be raised to $3.50. Sections and pre-.
scribe the system of making lp the ASSESS
ment rolls and Of collecting the taxes.
Section defines what I" traffickine shall
mean, and excludes the filing of physi-
clans certificates and sales for mechanical,
pharmaceutical or sacramertal purposes,
and it does not include the manufacture of
liquors and the sale by the manufacturer
IN quantities Of one gallon or more at one
time. Section directs the segregation
to funds OF the money collected for liquor
taxes and Section S provides for NV.
ing notice Of the first collections and
Of the enforcement Of the law. Sec
ton 9 prohibits sales except by druggists
upon prescriptions, on Sunday, and closes
all saloons on that day, and the bars OF
all hotels and restaurants. The section
gives also to cities power to regulate, 70.
strain and prohibit ale, beer and porter
houses and all places OF resort for tippling
and intemperance. Bat If any municipal
corporation shall prohibits ale, beer and
porter houses, rStable proportion of the
tax paid by the proprietors thereof for the
unexpired portion of the year shall be re.
turned TO such proprietoTs.- Section 10
prohibits the sale of liquor 80 minors with.
out consent of the parent or gusrdisn, and
sales TO those " in the habit Of getting In
toxioated, or who are st the tims intoxi-
Gated, under penalty Of fine Of from S25
to 500. and imprisonment from fve to
thirty days. It viii thus be seea that this
famous law, shout which tbe-e is so much
excitement, is By no means severe meas
ure, It simply provides very ordinary
tax, one not SO high by half as IS nov laid
IN the form Of license fee IN large
number of places IN the country it closes
dram shops on Sunday gives to citisS the
right to legislats on tie subject, and pre-
vents sales to minors srd drankards. Itis
by no means TIE formidable law that has
been supposed. and why the liquor dealers
Of Ohio should resent IL 50 strenuously Is
somewhat puzzling. Probably the clause
comforting on cities the right to prohibit |
alarms them most. Bot 40 city can exer-
else this privilege exesp. the people are IN
= strong majority who favor ProbibitiYe
legislation. The law is 70 Go tested at |
once. and is now il Court On these points
Of objection taken by its opponsats
That it IS in violation of the rights
guaranteed By tie Federal Constitution
aad the Constitution Of 0hiO It tends to
rnpair ths obligation q contracts between