Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-01-15
MEXICO, MISSOURI JANUARY Is, 1885

lice law, l think the Downing law has
already accomplished much good,
and can be made much more effec-
tive, with certain amendments. No
law sh uld remain a dead letter upon
the statute hooks. If good one it
should be enforced. In 1880 there
were 3,042 licensed dramshops, l27
wine and beer saloons and ninety
drug stores retailing liquor under the
then existing license. fhe State Ii
cense, together with the ad valorem
tax on the liquor sold by the saloons,
amounted to S157,916, and county
license and tax to $685. go, q total
of s45S,896. The tippling houses
increased in number in the state be-
tween 1880 and the time this law be-
came operative. This law has reduce
ed the number of dram-shops or
drinking saloons within the first year
of its operation from 3,601 to $3.50,
a decrease of 457 or IL per cent. and
has reduced the number of places of
strong drink from 3,469 to 2,115,
over one third. There has been an
increase of 903 wine and beer sa-
looms under this law. l think that
sectionof the law should he repealed,
as many who seek shelter under it do
so for the pursose of violating it, and,
in fact, making their saloons open
dramshops without paying for the
privilege. While the revenue of the
counties have been largely increased
under this law, those of the cities,
towns and state have been much re-
ducetl. This should be remedied.
No law should work so partially in
favor of one division of the state
against other divisions, and in fact
the state itself. For the violation of
this law the courts should either i'm
pose the maximum penalty or this
body should repeal the minimum fine
The county revenue from saloon Ii
censes has been increased from
1858 900 to 81. .164 900, an increase
of S806, 1000 within the first year.
The state revenue from that source
has been diminished $85, ,041 06
within the first year, and several
small counties yet to be heard from.
Heretofore the county courts have
exacted the minimum license, $3.50,
from those seeking the privilege of
trade. The maximum price is 81 200.
l think experience and the demands
of society will require an increase in
the value of the license over that of
$500, and a more equitable division
of the amounts between the towns,
cities and state. Intemperance is on
the decrease in the state from two
abuses: A stronger moral sentiment
and fewer places of temptation to
the young and old. There are twen-
ty counties in the state in which IL
cense cannot be obtained for dram
shop purposes. Public opinion is
demanding strong and effective law
upon the license system; one that
will discourage, rather than encour-
age, public drinking saloons, and at
the same time requiring a strict en-
forcement of that law; crediting those
who comply with the requirements OF
the law. by severely Furnishing those
who violate it under any pretexl
whatever. There is also a strong and
growing sentiment within this state
in favor of closing dramshops and
forbidding the sale or giving away
of Intoxicating liquors by the keepers
of such places on Sunday. The reli'
gious papers of every religious belief
have spoken strongly upon this sub.
ject, and those authorized to SPEAK
for the churches have issued strong
deliverances in favor of thus preserv
ing that holy Gay. The moral senti
ment of this state demands it, anl
these deliverances are but the faith
full echoes of that sentiment.
l am unwilling to see this day, ont
Of the bulwarks and mainstays of ou
form Of government, abolished b,
! legislation, infidelity or passion fol
,, gain. 1t should be preserved 81,
every line of its rubric and ever,
thread Of its vestment' as one upol
which all classes can say, "Here W,
! rest in obedience to divine statut'
and physical laws
Those engaged in the manufacture
l and sale of spirits recognize thl
e fact. The Western distilIers held
: convention in Chicago within the las
. year and issued a series of resolution
of much significance, which l presen
4 for your consideration. They emu
merate two ideas very clearly: T
preserve an orderly Sabbath, and
we'll digested license law that wi
protect the state as we'll as the Ii
!, censed. If those prominent idea
1 are not observed by that craft, th
: natural result will be more stringer
J. legislation in the future.
Q WHEREAS, 1t is we'll known ths
: the American people were brought u
t. to preserve an orderly Sabbath, an
+ laws are on the statute books forbid
1t ding all kinds of labor ON that day
e therefore,
l. ResolUed, That we are in favor {
!, enforcing those laws, and ask no sp'
q ciul privilege for this business we al
n engaged in.
s Resolved. That the fact that prob
y bition does not prohibit has bee
n abundantly proven. Therefore, "
N are in favor of we'll digested licen:
u that will protect the state as we'll I
le the licensee, and the price placed
'e such a point as will weld lars
G. revenue, reduce the number of drinl
r ing places and elevate and make mo
D. respectable this branch of buslnes
With a disposition to have Il
Downing law fairly tested, l ha'
,e sought to have it enforced througho
t. the whole state, and have not REM
he ted any penalty inflicted under
III provisions.
ne COMMON SCHOOLS.
IN The opposition to and prejudi
r. against the public school system
IN rapidly giving way The last leg
be lature increased the permanent lnte
es est-bearing state fund to So, l31 90
ed the entire school funds amounting
he $40 17S.7SI. During the year en-