The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-02-09
The Temperance Question.

EDrroRs CLARION: / have watched with
interest the course of the Legislature upon
the liquor question, and have been much
gratifed to see manifested SO strong a de-
sire for the suppression of the traffic.
had hoped that the House Temperance
Committee would mature plan which
would make the rapidly growing prohibi.
bition sentiment Of the people to accom-.
plish that result; but am disappointed in
the bill which has received its endorse
ment.
The general principle upon which it pro-
ceeds is undoubtedly correct. The fairest
and most satisfactory manner in which
prohibition can be accomplished is through
local option. But while the principle of
the bill is correct, its methods are vicious.
will state my objections in detail LIST.
1t lacks the merit Of simplicity and ease Of
application. 1t is complicated and cum
bersome, and involves altogether too much
machinery. 1t requires petition Of one
fifth of the voters Of the county and the
ordering and holding of special election.
And even then, if prohibition fails to
carry, 1t leaves the matter to be finally de-
cided under our present loosely drawn and
ambiguous statutes. Surely an express
sion of the popular will can be gotten more
directly and easily than this, and, when
once uttered, should be decisive.
2. 1t thows the burden of getting such
expression of the popular will upon those
who oppose the traffic instead Of upon
those who favor it. Most of the past legis-
lation upon this question, and almost all
the judicial decisions have proceeded upon
the assumption that the liquor traffic is
"contrabonas mores," and against public
policy. Even the most earnest advocates
cannot deny this. They are compelled to
admit that it is great social evil, and can
only claim that, though an evil, it is a
necessary one, which society must
tolerate because unavoidable. Any
measure designed to suppress such
an evil should brand it as an evil.
should recognize the fact that the presump-
ton of law is against it instead of being in
its favor, and should impose upon its sup
porters the burden of showing that the
community desires and demands it.
8. 1t provides for local option only by
counties, while in many cases prohibition
would be most promoted by extending it
to Incorporated towns and supervisors dis
tricts. This may be a mistaken opinion,
but it is certain that in this section of the
State, where prohibition is strong and con-
stantly gaining ground, there are many
districts in which the popular vote would
be overwhelming in its favor, while in the
counties at large it would in some instances
be defeated.
4. 1t provides for biennial elections, and,
although ambiguous upon this point, the
inference is, that though successful in the
first, the prohibi tionists must notwith-
standing petition for every subsequent cleo
ton.
This is serious defect. The condem-
nation of the traffic by the popular
will should be final and conclusive until
that will has changed, and the burden of
showing such change should be upon those
who favor the traffic.
These are not captious objections against
features of the bill which, as many believe,
will greatly impair its efficiency. Nor is
20 find fault with the measure proposed,
but also to suggest an entirely different,
but, it is believed, better remedy.
There is way in which local option can
be applied to this question, which will be
at once simple, fair, easy, and decisive
Instead of having biennial elections, let
our present liquor laws be so amended as
to require every person desiring to sell Ii
quors in any quantity, before license shall
be granted, to present to the proper au-
thorities petition of q majority of the
voters of the town or district where he pro-
poses to sell, and to publish such petition
for at least four weeks. This would
simplify the Law, make it uniform,
and render it easy to under
stand and apply. 1t would place the
burden of showing reason for change upon
the right party, would give the prohibition
lists fair notice of any attempt to obtain
license, and afford them ample opportuni-
ty to prevent it.
This is all the legislation needed upon
this question at present. 1t would make |
short work of the liquor traffic in this part |
Of the State. There are numerous districts |
and quite number of counties, in which, |
lnder such law it would be impossible to |
obtain license.
1t may be that all of those points have
been fully considered by those who are in |
|. position to influence legislation. But
hey impressed me and others with whom
have conversed so forcibly, that have
thought it might be best to give them ut
erance through THE DAILY CLARION.
Hoping the Legislature will give us a
sw which viii tend speedily to suppress
he evils of intemperance
am respectfully,
lfda PROHIBrrTON