The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-11-02

been so lowered by the existence ola law that
is imperative, through the nature of the case,
that witnesses cannot be found upon whose
evidence juries will convict parties charged
with violations of this law
The large number of cases before our courts
for alleged sales of liquor has added heavy
burden to our county expenses. without any
corresponding benefit in a lcsseued consump-
ton of the article or greater elevation either
Of public morals or private virtue.
If convictions cannot be secured under this
law we fail 10 see how they could be under
the law, as amended, which prescribes severer
penalties, such es confinement in the House
of Correction, &c, for those found guilty 4
its violation. 1t is the certainty Of punish
ment, not its severity, which deters the evil
disposed from violating law. In this case it
is safe TO assume that those who violate the
law have neither the acute moral sense nor
the Christian training to teach them that the
violation of any law imposed by rightful
authority is a sin. Therefore, not regarding
the sale of liquor as in itself sin, they are
willing to take the risk of selling IT,
With the severer penalties in the amended
law convictions would be more difficult TO
secure than now, and while those who want
liquor would be driven, perhaps, TO greater
shifts and evasioDs TO get it, they would get
it, nevertheless.
We believe the solution of the difficulty is
in the adoption of the High License law. 1t
provides that licenses TO sell liquors shall be
granted only 10 persons keeping bona .fde
hotels. Before license can be issued to any
one he must be recommended by five free,
holders and file a bond for 81 900 for the pay,
ment of any fines which may be imposed on
him for violation of any of the provisions of
the act. He must have two sureties, aud if
tried and found guilty, instead of paying his
fine by going to Jail for sixty days, the fine can
be recovered from his bondsmon. The license
fee Is $3.50, which is to be paid over to the
County Commissioners for the improvement
of roads. The license to sell must be con-
spicuously displayed in the room where sales
are made, and any person buying liquor at
from S. to $40. No female can sell liquor
under any circumstances nor any person I'M
der 81 years ofage. Gambling for drinks is
prohibited. Intoxicating liquors may not be
sold TO minors nor to any one on Sunday
The punishment for violation of the law is a
| fine Of from 800 to $500 or confinement in
the House of Correction from 60 days to six
months. No sales can be made on the high
way or on any day of general election or
general county primary or county conven-
ton.
No liquor may be sold on orders nor to in.
toXicated persons, and no place Of sale
may be kept open after 10 o'clock at night
or before 5 o'clock in the moruing The pro-
visions for its sale by druggists are nearly the
same as in the present local option law
Whenever license is suppressed no
license shall be granted TO any person to sell
liquor in the same premises for one year.
The law also contains sections to facilitate its
enforcement
This law would, in our judgment, be bet
ter for the moral interests of the county and
better for the tax payers. 1t would add a
considerable sum yearly to the county trea-
sury and enable the County Commissioners
to reduce the tax rate. Above all, we believe
it to be the most effective, as well as the right
means by which to lessen the evils of drunk.
enness in our county
Let taxpayers calmly consider this question
and ask themselves whether it is better to
continue for an indefinite period an expensive
experiment which has so far proven failure,
or to have high license law which is, in the
main, similar to laws that have in other
localities proved conducive to the public good.
No Christian man who believes prohibition
to have been failure need be deferred from
voting for High License through religious
scruples. Let him study the Divine law, upon
which Christian legislators should seek to
model their laws. Our Maker does not see
fiji, in His infinite wisdom, to destroy mans
free agency by putting it out of his power
to do evil, nor could any man thus be made
better.