Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-25
THE HIGH LICENSE SYSTEM.

Laws on paper and not in practice have
go often proved Intellectual against intem-
perance, that m any of the opponents of that
vice have come 10 The conclusion that it will
be worth while to attempt to put into prac-
tice the laws already on the statute books OF
ali the srsfes@ They regard such proceed.
ing as likely to put check upon drunken
ness and 10 help to make it disgraceful in
popular estimation. They also believe that
in no way can they assist the passage of
stronger temperance legislation more than
by dem onstrsting, by making existing laws
effectual, how much wise legislation can do
to check intemperance. Boston is taking
steps in this direction, and is seeking
to form a citizens national league
for the suppression of the sale
Of liquor TO minors, and for the enforcement
Of the laws that exist against abuses in the
sale of liquors, such as regulating the hours
of sale, and holding liquor sellers RESPONSE
BILE for good order among their customers.
Such organizations have been formed in va
rious districts, and encouraging results have
followed. Especially many citizens who
have not been in favor Of prohibitery laws
have given hearty support to the system OF
enforcing the existing laws. AS these per.
sons, by the interest they have felt in these
efforts, have become more acquainted with
the ravsges Of liquor upon the well-beiDg,
not only of the drunksrd, but also of his
wife and little ones, they have become the
advocates OF still more stringent ard
effectual legislation. DIR. III. c. Potter,
an earnest foe of intempersnce, writes:
"There is something almost grotesque 10 the
persistent efforts for more stringent legisla-
lion when the laws we have on our statute
books are dead letter." He favors the i'm
mediate enforcement of the laws for the
restriction Of the sale of liquor on Sunday
and at undue hours of the night, for the
restriction Of sales to minors and habitual
druukards, and penalties for selling without
license, and for the punishment Of all eva
sions of existing lave. These laws them
selves, it is found, communities are willing
should be made more effectual, and especial
ly the laws regulating the number and ex-
pense of the licenses. Michigan having
failed TO make prohibition efiectuel, has
come to the conclusion that the next best
thing is so TO control the licensing system as
to make it a check 10 drunkenness. Retail
dealers must pay license duty in that
State of $500 a year; wholesalers
$500; dealers in fermented liquors only
5000. Billiards and other games cannot
be played on the premises. Liquor Licenses
cannot be taken out fer balls or exhibitions
Saloons must be closed on Sundays, Al
elections, and on legal holidays. A bond oil
$4,000 must be given 10 observe the law'
with respect to minors, drunken persons anC
hsbitual drunkards, and other regulations
The high price OF licenses, the bond and thu
responsibilities have not only decreased thu
number of saloons, but those keeping then
are men of better character and With NOR,
regard for the decencies of their establish
ments than the msjority of the people Wit
obtain licenses for petty sums. In 1877
Michigan had law, twenty-five years old
forbidding the granting of liquor licenses
and mad at that time 6444 saloons; in 1876
under the high-license system, the nunbe
fell to $500; in 1876, 1900; in 1877
1000; in 1878, 1900; in 1879, 1900; i
1880, 800; in 1881, 1000. This shows tha
while the population has been increasing tn
new system has kept the number of saloon
below that existing before high license wa
introduced. These facts indicate the wa
toward reform, and reform leaves the prOhi
bitionst unshackled in his efforts TO stop tn
liquor traffic altogether.