Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-02-05
lancaster fntelligenrer.
MONDAY EVENING. FEB s. 1898.
The Prohibition Amendment.

The state Legislature is asked to pro-
vide an amendment of the constitution
which prohibits the manufacture or sale
of intoxicating beverages. Three
having this object IN we"
have been framed for its consldera-
ton. One drafted by the constitutional
association and one by
Judge Agnew are substantially alike,
save that Judge Agnew proposes to put
yinous products under the ban as well as
brewed, fermented, distilled beverages.
The House committee on constitutional
reform, having heard the advocates OF
the proposed amendments, has de-
cided to recommend the full dose OF
prohibition suggested by Judge AgneW'
and to add to it sweetening OF its own
in the shape of provision that all dam
age suffered from the amendment by
owners of real estate, whose premises
have been for five years used for the
vending of intoxicating beverages, Shall
he COMPENSATED therefor. Itwould not
take many such amendments to make the
proposed constitutional reform appear
very clearly to be anything but a reform.
The amendment may have been honestly
put on by the House committee, under
the sincere conviction that the owners OF
tavern stands should not be deprived
of their valuable franchises without
compensation. But if the people are to
he deprived of the enjoyment of their
beer, wine or whisky the tavern owner
will have no reason to complain OF I'M
ust treatment in the deprivation of his
revenue. The constitution may just as
properly take this from him rs it may
take away the citizens drink and even
more so for the tavern enjoys its license
not by right but by the concession of an
annual privilege for which a charge is
made while the citizens privilege to
drink whisky, beer or wine comes to him
because is a freeman, entitled to do is ne
pleases, so long as he does not interfere
with the equal right his fellows have tG
the quiet enjoyment of their lives. Life
liberty and the pursuit of happiness il
the guaranteed right of every American
citizen. 1t is right which secures tC
him the privilege of depOrting himself 4:
he pleases, SO long as he does not annoy
or injure his neighbor. lie may drlnl
what he pleases and eat what he pleaSes
The constitutional reformers do no
seek to deny him this privilege dl
rectly, but undertake to make i
impossible for him to exercise it by for
bidding the sale to him of beer, wine ant
distilled liquors. They attempt toe
much. Intoxication is, no doubt, al
evil to tie individual and the state. In
toxication should he prohibited and pun
ished. The drinking of intOXicatln;
liquors, which in some cases results in
jurOusly TO the state and which, in fev
cases, is beneficial to the individual
should be discouraged. 1t sEOuld b
made expensive, as one way q
discouragiEg it. Ii might be stil
further embarrassed 10y tOrblddin
its sale in smaller quantities tha
pint OF quart. And yet again b
prohibiting its consumption on tn
premises where it is sold. All these ar
practicable measures. They do not il!
terfere unduly with the liberty of tn
citizen to drink what he pleases, bl
they provide how he shall drink certai
things SD rs to protect his neighbo
against annoyance from him.
Undoubtedly the numerous liquu
saloons tempting the pasSer-hy 70 qua
at their always attended bars, do pro
vide unnecessary facilities for tile drinl
ing of unnecessary beverages. Thel
is no need of thrusting lipunr $
conspicuOusly and conveniently und.
the notice Of the public. Those VII
want it will not be oppressed by bein
put to little Inconvenience to get i
1t might be good idea to make thel
climb flight or two of Stairs by fo
bidding the safe of Intoxicating beve
ages below the third floor and anOtir
good idea, us exhibited at the Centennia
would be to forbid the consumption of
while standing before Il bar, Or othtl
wise than while decOrOusly seated al
table.
We should he glad TO see the Lesis!;
ture exercising its wisdom in cOntrolli.
the sale eofintoXicating OF beverage. Thei
is no need OF a constitutional amt n,
ment for this purpose it may do a
that ought to lie done to regulate tt
sale of drinks and the majority of Il
people themselves hardly have Il nor;
right by Il constitutional amendment
say that the minority shall not have Ill
opportunity to buy whisky if they wal
to, without going out of the Stale to d
it.