The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-04-16


MR. EpIroR:-I have just been reading
the laws of New Jersey in regard to the
licensing of inns, tayerns. etc, and ariy-
ed at the following conclusions:
1. That when these laws were origin
ally made the use Of liquor was considered
Indispensable TO hospitality, and was a
common article on every mans table, in
the field, the workshop, and in all social
gatherings: hence it was considered neces-
sary to the proper Accommodations Of ihc
travelling public. But times have changed.
1t is no longer SO considered. and all the
particulars of accommodation and hospitality
can bc observed without the use ofliIuors.
and in fact the great majority of hetrayel-
ing public are offended by the offering to
them of spirituous liquor. llencc this
feature of the law is relic OF "ye olden
times. and like other ancient customs
should be dispensed with. Il docs net
bcload to this aee
>. That the frceholders recommending
the granting Of license certify to the eharae-
ter of the man applying, the extent of his
Accommodations the nee sSsity 81 such Il
tavern, and that ii will consluce to the
public good"
In character the man must be held in
good repute for his honesty and temper
ance When men keep gaming tables, and
! in the Summer season on Saturday nights
have their bar-room crowded vii. drink
ing, cursing, and fighting men until the
midnight hour ushers in the Lords day,
and then these men go through the streets
requiring an extra policeman to keep them
in order, and from making the night
hIdeous with their drunken shouts and
blasphemy, and when these same tavern
keepers sell strong drink to men whom
they know to be depriying their wives and
children of necessary food and clothing to
pay for those drinks. it is hard to under
stand how any man can certify to tho
honesty Of the character Of these liquor
sellers, and that their tavern will candueo
to the public good.
3. That the judges Of the inferior courts
of common pleas are authorized 10 grant
licenses on certain representations, but arc
not compelled to do So They may grant
or Withhold. 1t seems to me- that a rcmon-
STRANGE should receive the most careful at.
tcntion of these Judges. For them Il
ignore it is acting contrary to the prcroga
tiye@bl their high aiiicc, and in violation al
the spirit of the law. Iftwelve men certify
the house is needed, ami fifty equally just
and honorable men certify just a. strongly
that it is not necd,d, ii is at once apparent
the judges do not ruln IN equity if they
refuse to listen 10 the claim of fifty honort
bic men who demonstrate against thl
testimony Of the twelve.
t. That no injustice is done a iuan VIII,
has invested his money in the tavern bnS
ness by refusing him the right to sci
liquors without rendering him compcnsa-
ton for his loss thereby, because, J. II,
can obtain license for only one year. Tho
courts will protect him for one year They
give no pledge and are under no obli2a
ton for a longer time. They have NJ
right to commit Their future 1clion h9
promises, pledges etc, and thus tho mar
assumes all risks beyond tIiat one year
If the risk is too great Iet him gointo som,
other business, no law eompels him 10 On
gage in This. II. lie claims that his
tavern is pnblic necessity for the accom-
mediation OF travellers. Hold him to that
claim lie therefore invests his money
because in his Judgment AS an investor, til,
,,u,lic min en,,ort TIN