The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-02-12
>l'eMperanGe.
The Temperance Convention and
it's Object.

n AC AOAARVIoAS0 OOAVOAeAOA 0ASA
it's Object.
A call was issued Cor a meeting to
assemble at Elkton Oh Thursday of
last week couched in the following
words.
We, the undersigned, would re-
spectfully invite our fellow-citizens
of Cecil county who desire to secure
effective remedy for the very serious
evils existing in our county in con-
nection with the sale of Intoxicating
liquors to unite with us in public
meeting, to be held in Elkton, on
Thursday, February 4th, for the pur-
pose ot considering how most effec-
lively to deal with the evil in quest.
ion and of securing such proper act.
ion as may be deemed necessary.
It will seen that there is not a
word in this call intimating that it is
in favor of high license"
The day for holding the meeting
being Immediately after the heavy
snow fall, slim attendance was pres
ent and an adjournment till Satur-
day 18th inst was proposed and
agreed to without objection
The members in attendance at this
slim meeting were scarcely out Of
the hall till the following was tele
graphed to the Baltimore Sun.
The meeting called by those favor
ing the substituting Of a high license
law tor the local option law now in
effect iu Cecil county. owing to the
very stormy weather to"ay was not
very largely attended.
Henry s. Coudon introduced a
resolution to the effect that as the
present local option law has not &C
complished the purpose for which it
was enacted and as experience in the
past, both here and elsewhere. has
demonstrated the impracticability of
enforcing laws not sustained by pop
ular opinion, it he resolved that |,
cense law, with severe penalties, re-
straints and safeguards, affords the
surest means of securing peace, good
order and sobriety of the people.
The law should be framed so as to
guard the morals and habits of the
young, to afford protection to those
who are sla> es to their al petites. and
make the venders of strong drink
and also the owners OF the house oc-
cupied by them responsible for all
damage by such sales, and further
that the true principle of local 6e-
mands that any amendments to the
existing law, or any substitute that
may be offered, be submitted to the
people. Although the majority 0
those present were in favor of high
license and of the resolution offered,
it was thought best TO post pone the
debate and vote on it Saturday, Feb.
IS. The sentiment of the people OF
ecil county is said to be in favor of
the substitution of the high license
system for local option.
The resolutions offered by Mr.
Coudon are restatement of the old
restriction safe guard license laws
tried in some of the progressive
western states years ago and aband
oned as utterly impracticable. The
resolutions recite that 1.-THE local op
tion law has not accomplished the
purpose for which it was enacted"
and in lieu of this the resolutions
ask thai license law be enacted
$50 to guard the morals and habits
of the young" and several other
theoretical good things are asked for
to be placed in this millennial license
law. which can have no possible ex-
istence save in the imagination of
theorist.
What do statistics say in regard
to the license laws? What about
violation under them. Under the
liquor license laws Of this county it
was more difficult to convict violat.
ors than under orr half formed local
option law.