New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-08
MICHIGAN.
LOCAL OPTION AND HIGH LICENSE.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS TO SQUARE MILE 81
LARGEST CITY, DETROIT 133,269-
TOTAL INHABITANTS 1.636,937-
AREA, 5S.915 SQUARE

AREA, Oo,'lO SQOhhh
MIIEs.
Some parts Of the last Michigan liquor law are so
UNIQUE and there has evidently been such careful
and conscientious effort I'm It's provisions to meet the
real difficulties which surround the subject Of liquor
legislation that 1t deserves than the brefest sum-
mary. This law passed in June. 1857 IL pro-
vdes for local option by counties. upon tho petition
of not less than fifth Of the qualified voters Of
county: the County Clerk calls election. that must
be held within forty days, but not In the same month
az any other election. The vote then cast decides
whether intoxicating liquors shall be manufact-
ured or sold within limits Of suoh designated county
for the period OF the three following years. Any
person who sells liquor county where Its sale so
prohibited is fined from $50 to $500. and imprisoned
for from ten days to six months either or both
The following are the respective amounts Of taxa
ton In such counties where its sale IS not prohibited
Upon the business of selling or offering for sale spr
ituOus OF intoxicating liquors, or mixed liquors. by re-
tall or any mixture compound. excepting propre-
tary patent medicines which I'm whole or In part con-
sst of sprituOus intoxicating liquors. and any malt,
brewed, fermeDted liquors, $500 per annum; upon
the BUSINESS of selling only brewed malt liquors, at
wholesale or RETAIL or wholesale and retail $500;
upon the business of selling spirituOus or Intoxicating
LIQUORS at wholesale, $500: at wholesale and retail.
$500 upon the business Of manufacturing brewed or
malt liquors for sale, sos the business of manu-
featuring for sale spirituous intoxicating liquors,
$500 . No tax imposed under this act shall
DO required from any person for selling any wine or
cider made from fruits grown gathered in this state,
unless such wine cider be sold by tho drink as other
beverages are.'
Druggists not required to pay any license fec or
tax but they forbidden to sell liquor to minors,
except on parents guardians written order. to
intoxicated person, or Indian, or to any person
when forbidden By some responsible memOer OF his
family, director OF the poor any chief city officer;
are druggists permitted to sell such beverages TO
be drunk the premises. Moreover each druggist Is
required TO keep blank book in which is recorded the
OF the purchaser Of the liquor sold, the date of
sale the amount and kind Of liquor and the purpose TO
which 1t to be applied, which book is public dOcu-
his conpllance with the law the druggist IS required
ton Of this law the druggist and his clerks akc
liable to fine of from 400 10 $500 and 10 Imprisonment
for from ninety days TO year, both or either Tor
second conviction. in addition to such punishment, tho
druggist IS declared for five years from selling any
! liquors whatever.
Each liquor dealer is required to file with the County
Treasurer a statement as to the Character Oh ms
business and pay TO such treasurer before the first
day OF May his annual tax therefor The dealer then
must post q conspicuous place his receipt which
ments is punishable misdemeanor with fine
not exceeding 5000, aud by Imprisonment for from
viccd not only loses his lax and license for that year.
but Is debarTed from engaging again In the same
Cumulative sentences may 30 inflicted for conviction
separate charges The statute also requires the dealer
10 give good bond of from $4,000 TO $4,000 that he
will observe the mandates Of the statute.
one hal Of all moneys paid to the County Treasurer
in which dealer sells the other half goes to the
credit OF the county. The compiled statements as
20 the names taxation of each dealer published
In December OF each year IN county newspaper 1t
is unlawful to furnish liquor to minor Indian or to
forbids it, and the burden IL upon the dealer TO show
that he did not intend 10 violate the law. Neither Is
II lawful to allow students Ia any institution Of learn
ing TO play at cards. dice, billiards any game of
chance in any part OF any building in which liquor is
sold ar Ia sell liquor such students, per-
nit them remain with their fathers or other guard
lars i'm bar rooms Liquors cannot legally be sold in
] Ito hal
them al places where liquor is sold must be closed
on sundays legal hoonyN, anu io nm f oIoch AZ
night until seven the ioio"ins noi'hs "a each Week
And then follows this striking provision: "Tho
word closed I'm this section, shalt be construed to
apply to the beck door or other eutrance well
the front door And IN prosecutions under his section
soldn But in cities and villages the authorities may
permit saloons De open from six in the morning until
The most remarkable, however, OF all tho provisions
Of this noteworthy statute IS the following In case
any person Is found intoxicated In public place, no
may be brought before magistrate and under penal
ties for contempt be obliged 10 Ide uH Te what cir
the prisoner nom all penalties Tor his intoxcafion.
hut IL his testimony shows that dealer has violated
tho law, the dealer is arrested upon It as Complaint
and proceeded against accordingly Every Wife chId
be injured in person or property means OF suppart
or otherwise, by any intoxicated person. or by
en Of any s Sp 5sssIS OF ao
ing, fermented malt liquors to any person. has a
actual and exemplary damaes. The adulteratIon OF
liquors selling Of adulierated liquors IS punishable as
nisdemeanor by a fine OF from 200 to $500 and I'm
prsOnment for from ten days 10 SIX months. "No
curtains, screens partitions or other things" OBJ
structing the view Of bar from the street are per
missbe and their use Is visited with snilar punish
ments-
RRPU BLICANS.
James II. Stone. Editor OF a" The Detroit Tribune
stands upon the following temperance platform
Ol Tho Michigan law reduces the numher Of saloons
and lessons the evils OF mtempcrance.
2) Michigan's high TAX and stringent police regl.
| lafa law gi he AruViu Iooal aptlnu
ny cOunties, ] believe to be the best temperance
legislation possible In the present state OF public sent
alaxls In. Ia Az