The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-24
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.


at present engages the attention OF great
number of people throughout the entire
United States and in fact over the whole
civilized globe. Statesmen have written and
discussed upon the subject. Ministers OF
the gospel have made it a favorite theme
and during the past ten years in this coun-
try the question has been taken up largely by
women. The latter agitators began by cru
sading or prayer cure" Then the blue rib
bon or moral suasion method was tried
But now all these have been abandoned, and
all temperance agitators are about united on
demanding prohibition or nothing They
say all else has failed, or nearly so, and some
of them admit that prohibition where en-
acted is not enforced strictly according to law.
Senator Blair, in a recent article, in the
North American Review, under the caption
of "Alcohol in politics" argues that while
prohibition by the States gives partial relief
to the temperance cause, yet admits that
nothing short of national prohibition, by
amending the constitution of the United
States, will do away with the liquor traffic
He says that interstate commerce is guaran-
teed by the constitution. and so long as one
State is allowed to manufacture distilled
liquors, all States will be compelled to allow
it to be shipped inside their boundaries in
the Original package" Now, in the face Of
all this, with the fact that prohibition does
not entirely prohibit and is not entirely sat
isfactory to the temperance advocate and the
admission of Senator Blair Whom l suppose
to be a good lawyer that local prohibition
~ No ota potr lrObihit 1onor no
manufacture and traffic is allowed by the con-
stitution of the United States would ask,
what is the remedy for the evils engendered
by the excessive use of intoxicants? All
propositions mentioned so far emanate from
those who are opposed to the liquor traffic,
and will be satisfied with nothing less than
its entire removal. AS one who has been en-
gagged in the sale of intoxicating liquors for
the past twenty-five years. and still willing
to sell, | may be allowed to suggest some
remedy for the evils. The charges made
against liquor sellers are numerous, but |
shall mention only the principal ones.
1t is declared, first, that it shall be unlaw-
ful TO sell to anyone in the habit of becom-
ing intoxicated; second, to anyone intoxica-
ted at the time third, to minors. Now these
three classes are under the ban of the law
The person selling liquor under license is
supposed to know that anyone is in the habit
of becoming intoxicated, when he shall have
been duly notified in writing, by some one
authorized to do So The law provides who
are the proper persons to send or deliver such
notices. The law presumes that the person
having license will be able to know when
man has had enough, or is drunk. The law
also presames that the seller will be able to
ascertain or distinguish the difference be-
tween boy ten years old and one who is
over twenty-one.
All other evils or bad consequences that
follow from the sale Of intoxicants arise
from a violation of these three sections of
our Indiana license law. If a drunkard is
refused liquor he will be compelled to sober
mp. Ii he is refused drink when he is drunk
ne will get sober, and if boy cannot obtain
liquor till he shall have attained the age Of
twenty-one he ought to have sense enough
by that time to keep away from it, or else
use it in moderation, at the proper place and
time For l bold it to be the proper mark
of gentleman that he can take social
glass on social occasion without making a
1og of himself. Now, if these three laws or
sections of law could be enforced all other
laws on the subject would be useless.
1t is net the use of liquors that makes
regulation laws necessary; it is the abuse OF
them. Now, what shall be done with those
who abuse the privilege of selling liquors,
and those who abuse themselves by drinking
too much? AS to the first, all men who APP
ply for lscense to sell liquors in less quanti-
bleS bildH Z quart aI the time, 10 De uEunk on
the premises do so under the act regulating
the sale of intoXicants. The applicant, at the
time. is fully aware of the nature of the
privilege he is asking for, and is, ALSO aware
upon what condition q liscense will be
granted to him. He says to the State of In
diana. and to the citizens of the ward or
town in which he desires to sell: 'If you will
allow me to sell, l will accept your
conditions" and thereby agrees to
sell according to the law mentioned
in his license when issued to him.
Now, here is q contract made and entered
into between two parties knowingly, and
with full knowledge of the contents of said
contract by both parties. If the State refused
the license after the money was paid, would
not the licensee sue to recover? Then, if the
State is aggrieved by the seller violating his
contract, il certainly has right to revoke
the license under the terms OF the contract,
Suppose attorneys looked after contracts
for business men or corporations like prose-
cuting attorneys do after the contracts of the
State, how long would they be retained? Not
long. Suppose agents for mercantile or man.
ufaeturing houses made contracts with ire
sponsible parties, like county commissioners
do with applicants for license. how long
would they keep their situations? Not long.
Suppose clearinghouse paid no more at
tention to the character OF the security on
their paper than the average county auditor
does TO the character of the bondsmen on re-
tail licenses, how long do you suppose the
bank would last? Not long If the agents
of the State will not insist upon the keeping
or fulfilling of the contract, it is not the duty
OF the retail dealer to ran after them to in
form them of their duty Let the law be. en-
forced against those who sell to confirmed
drunkards and minors, and all violations
would soon cease. Lett be once understood
chat license to sell does not mean liberty to
10 whatever dealer likes, and regulations
would soon regulate. Let young scjons of
wealthy families tie put in the lookup for
ten days when found in a state of intoxca-
ton, and minors would cease from
troubling Saloons where men alone
should be allowed to congregate. Minors
are nuisance and a pest to ali well-regulat-
ad Haoapt.Sa I0nps and cor,po mona