Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-03-20
The "LaneoLicense Bill.

On thursday Oh laSI week INC WARY
land Senate passed the bill to repeal the
license law of the State, as it is, and en-
acted one, which, if it passes the House
of Delegates, and receives the Cover
nor's signature will replace the exist
ing law.
We wish to say at the outset of this
article, that we are bound to consider
this the most substantial step ever Ia
ken in the direction of the mitigation
of the evil of intemperance, in this
State and as such, heartily commend it
and hope for its final passage as q law.
While, as we understand it, the exist
ing condition of things in Local Option
counties and districts will not be dis
turbed or changed by the passage of
this law, we say it with deep regret so
far as we are concerned, afflicted as We
are with law that proclaims itself to
be Temperance reformatory measure,
bat which in point Of fact is worse
than imperative, allowing as it does,
at no expense, that is, eo1thoM license,
tie sale of villainous compounds that
are equally effective with whiskey to
intoxicate, and more 50 than beer.
The Lane law assesses the licenses
upon three sliding scales; the one bas-
cd upon the rental Of tie building
another upon the stock on hand and
the third is affected by its location,
whether in the country, in village, or
town, or city.
BY the first the lowest possible sum
is $l5 by the second $50; by the third
Gin, Or within one mile Of a town $500
for spirituous and 500 for malt liz
uors, making the lowest license to sell
all kinds Of liquors 1865; to sell spir-
itous liquors only, 1865 and to sell
malt liquors only, $lG5.
That the practical workings of The
law would result in better condition
Of things from temperance point Of
view than the best possible under our
present law, we think every liberal
minded person will conccde to the
promises of the law as we shall proceed
to enumerate them.
In the first place the law recognizes
the evils of intemperance by pointing
mainly at persons "who are in the hab-
it of becoming intoxicated" and re-
quires that "ten respectable freeholders
shall sign the application for license
x * if any person shall sign such
Recommendation knowing the state
ments therein to be false, he shall be
liable to a fine )" this makes it mat
ter of some moment, whose application
one would sign and makes them per
sonally liable.
In the second place, cat least two good
and responsible surctics' are given and
held in the sum Of $4,000, to which
amount they are liable for penalties
under an outraged and violated law,
who would most certainly see to it that
the license was revoked and themselves
released, did the party persist in break.
ing the law or violating its provisions.
The principal claim in favor Of the
present law is that the law is good
enough but no one will see to its en-
forcement; that is simply because no
one is personally interested except the
one who sells the drink ard taa: IS not
on the right side, WHEREAS by this law,
those who stand as sponsors when the
application for license is made and
then the 1.-TWO good and responsible
sureties," all, have more than an in
terest, they bear responsibilities and it
is then, if at no other time, that men
will sec to it that the majesty If the
law be not outraged. This we suggest
in answer to the question "who will
see to it that the law is respected, al
lowing It to be a good law :"
Again, the large sula paid to secure
license will, in the first place very
materially lessen the number engaged
IN the business which will make it a
profitable business, under the law and
parties will have an incentive to re-
spect rather than to violate the law,
inasm lch, as they would lose their
privilege to sell and with it the money
paid for their license, were they by
their imprudence, to alarm their sure.
tea, or by their violations make it i'm
possible to secure others.
Further, Intoxicating drinks are cold
under the existing law and yet no rev.
enue is received by the State, while
other branches Ct trade are called upon