New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-08
NEBRASKA.
A MODEL HIGH-LICENSE LAW.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS TO SQUARE NILE, o.
LARGEST CITY, OMAHA, 81, 635-ToTAL
POPULATION. 452, 402-AREA,
76S55 SQUARE

POPULATION, 45Z, 4OZ-AREA,
76,S55 SQUARE
MILES
The statutes of Nebraska since 1885, when the High
License liquor law went into effect have furnished
pne OF the best illustrations Of that system. Tho
county board in each county fixes the license fee Of
each applicant to whom It grants the privilege to
sell liquors But while the law fixes no maximum
fee, license be granted for a smaller annual
fee than $500. In cities of over 10000 Inhabitants
the minimum fee is 81 900. Notice of the appli-
cation must be published for two weeks before 1t is
granted. Violation of the liquor law within tho
previous year will prevent a license being issued
Any person may appear with witnesses against the
applicant, and there is an appeal from the action
of the county board to the District Court
The licensec must give bond in $4,000 to Keep
the law and as security for the payment Of damages
20 any injured by his sale Of liquor. For every
sale a minor the fine is gas to Indian, insane
person, idiot or habitual drunkard, $50; to sell on
Sunday election day, 300 The penalty for selling
without license Is fine OF from 800 TO $500 or
Imprisonment for not moro than one month. A
person, however, may make wine from grapes grown
by himself and sell the in quantities not less
Than a gallon without a license. A fine OF 800 for
selling aduiterated liquors is imposed The license
must pay " all damages that the community or ndl-
vdGals may sustain in consequence of such traffic he
shall support all paupers, widows and orphans and
the expenses of all civil and criminal prosecutions
growing out Of Justly attributable to, his traffic
I'm intoxicating drinks" These damages may be COL
lected by suit the $4,000 bond. married
woman may also maintain a similar suit " for all
damages sustained by herself and children account
Of such traffic. Paupers who have become a county
charge by of intemperanoe must be supported
by any liquor dealer who has habtually sold them
liquor If the proper authorities bring suit therefor,
and then this liquor dealer may bring action against
all other dealers who have habtually sold to the
same paupers to make them contribute their pro rata
share. Fines collected by criminal proceedings go
Into the school fund.
No license fee is required of druggists to sell for
medicinal. mechanical and chemical purposes" Drug
gss required TO keep strict registers Of the guam
tty sold the Of purchasers and the purpose OF
sale Violation Of this law subjects the druggist to
fine of from $50 to 800, and Imprisonment for
from ten to thirty days. The fine Of $40 or impris-
onment for thirty days that may be imposed upon
amy person found in a state Of lntoxicaton' may
be remted upon the culprt giving information under
oath as to when. where and of whom he purchase cd
received tho liquor" All bars must be "unob-
structed by screens, blinds other articles" under
penalty of fine Imprisonment.
The clause Of the act with reference to treating
in saloons" almost unique in the history Of liquor
legislation. 1t reads I" All persons prohibited
from treating giving away any liquor, beer, wine
intoxicating beverage whatever, purchased and
TO be drank in any saloon other public place where
such liquors or beverages kept for sale. Any
person treating Offering to treat any other person.
accepting offering 20 accept any treat or gift
of any intoxicating drink whatever in any saloon
public place where such liquors kept for SALE shall
be deened guilty Of a misdemeanor, and shall upon
conviction thereof be subject to a fine Of $40 i'm
prisonr1en in the Jail Of the county for ten
days, both in the discretion Of the court, and in
addition thereto shall pay into said court the sum OF
SIS be paid 20 the attorney prosecuting tho case
II there be and II no attorney prosecutes then
tbo cchoo tuh NJ tha nfy In add
ton 10 the fine.'
Another section Of the act forbids the sale OF liquor
"wthin the distance of three miles from the place
where any religious society assemblage Of people
collected or collecting together for religious wor
ship in any field woodland" Not only may the
offender against this provision be arrested summary
without warrant and be made to forfeit from $50 tt
500 by of fine, but his liquors or other articles
of traffic. etc, will be seized security for the pay
nent of his fine. If person charged with violation
of the law shall be acquitted, he may recover twice
bis costs from his asscuser.
GOVERNOR THAYERs REPLY
Governor Thayer has sent the following answers {,
THE TRIBUSE's questions:
"a think IL does
doubtedly go further towards represing incompetence
The testimony in regard to the oRerstion Of roibi
possible TO determine whether does prohibit not
REPUBLICANS
Congressman Dorsey holds the following views.
On IL does most efectually.
(2) Yes. EmphatlcaDy so.
(3) No statutory changes are, In my judgment
needed And the law is generally well enforced
Those engaged in the sale Of liquor who have pa
their license are earnest in enforcing the law agains
Al who attempt 10 evade II. GEO. ". f. DORSEY.
House of Representatives Washington, d. c.
c. II. Gere subscribes to the following sentiments
On Yes. 1t lessons BY Fifty per cent the number q
sfzens interested in futhenng the cause OF drinking
The saloon keepers and bartcndes.
(ol The best that be enforced
(3j / do not know that our law can DO improves
It's main advantage is that It tends 10 enforce tsel
Eyery saloon keeper after paying 600 TOR pcens
is detective for the running down Of the uniicense
seller. ~ H. oh'h~
Lincoln. Neb. ~ =, .,,.
pslow is given the reply of John NJ Thurston
(Jl From extensive observation Am satisfied thI
che High License law of Nebraska, enacted In i5s
has operated to repress ntemperspce in the state
4 remarkable degree. In 1880 the city Of Omah