Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-24
APPEALING TO THE LAW.

Violations of the Code in the Sale of In
tOxicatiDg LiquOr-A Way to Get at
the Law Breakers if the Facts can be
Obtained.
Editor Morning Nelos: 1 must beg you
to allow me through your columns to
raise nv voice against the frequent viola
tions of the laws in the Code of the State
tor the regulation of the traffic in liquor.
l am Mortified at the number of minors
who are seen intoxicated on our streets
from time to time, often on the Sabbath
day, and the number known to be form
ing the habit of drinking and taking the
first steps toward a drunkard's grave,
at the drinking houses of the city.
| do not know who are guilty, but
that many are is evident from what
is seen aud known. In section 1910 of
the Code we read: mo person or persons,
by himself or another, shall sell, or cause
to be sold or furnished, or permit any
other person or persons in his,
her or their employ to sell
or furnish any minor or minors white or
black spirltuOus or intoxicating or malt
liquors of any kind without first obtain
Ing written authority from the parent or
guardian of such minor or minors; and
such person or persons so offending shall,
on conviction, be punished as provided in
not to exceed $1,000, impris-
onment not TO exceed months,
to work on the chain gang on the public
works, not to exceed twelve months, and
anyone or more of these punishments
may be ordered in the discretion Of the
Judge" Now this law is utterly ignored
by some Of the licensed liquor shops of
Savannah. Minors do drink. Any of
them seem to be able to buy liquor and
A..
The law must be enforced. The guilty
parties must be brought to trial and pun
ished according to the tull penalty of the
law. The Mayor of the city of Savannah,
set for the protection of our people, as he
Is, should aid through the policemen of
the city IN detecting and bring
Ing to trial every man guilty of the viola
ton of IA law so important as this. If to
10 this is not a part Of their duty, 1t should
be made so. The peace of the city cannot
he preserved while meu in the city are
allowed with impunity to violate the laws
Of the State. Stop these holes from which
streams of ruin pour into the homes Of
rich aud poor alike, and our people will
feel that the force" are more probably
engaged than when picking up drunken
negro or white man and marching them
to the barracks" The wall of mothers
is beginning to be heard in our city for
the violation of this law.
| call attention to another part OF the
Code that is constantly dlsregarded Let
the wives and the sons and daughters and
relatives who are interested read 1t. "A
seller of spirituous liquors shall not sell
or furnish liquors in any quantity to any
person who is at the time intoxicated or
drunk: and for violating this provision he
shall not only be liable to all the penalties
for retailing liquor without license, put
he shall not recover by law for any spirit
uous liquors furnished such person dur
ing the current year" Code, sec. 1923.
What a dreadful business this is that men
engage in, when, even after being
licensed, they are to be fenced around by
laws so severe to prevent, as far as posi-
BILE, the full extent of damage to men and
women.
But the law goes further: Chat from
and after the passage of this act it shalr
not be lawful for any person to sell or
furnish any spiritu0us, malt or intoXlcat-
ing liquors of any kind, in any quantity,
to any habitual drunkard personally
known to him, of whose Incorporate hab-
its such person has been notified III writ
ing, protesting against the selling or fur
nishing such Intoxicating liquors by the
wife, father, mother, brother or sister OF
such drunkard." If any wife or relative
Of such an one will make a case, or If
any father or mother whose son or ward
has been furnished with liquor, will in-
diet the laW-breaker by addressing the
undersigned, through the post office, such
assistance can be obtained as will en-
able them. if they will furnish the proof,
to enforce the law to its fullest penalty.
LAW.