The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-06-01
The Progress of High License.


The movement on foot to secure a high
license law for this state commends itself as Il
move in the right direction. Absolute pro-
hibition would undoubtedly be preferred by
MANY. but if we are to -rait for the conSum
nation of theory so radical and against
which the power OF numbers, if no, the weight
of sentiment, is overwhelming, no progress
at all is likely for an indefinite period where
progress is most Immediately desired. The
best advance step to take in this matter, there
fore, if not the only practical solution OF 1t,
seems to be towards the policy OF high license
accompanied by stringent regulations. Much
depends, of course, upon the standpoint from
which this question Is viewed. There are
some who regard the use OF intoxicating
LIQUORS, no matter how prudently or temper
atey INDUCED in, as a sin in itself, aud from
the forum Of conscience there is no appeal
If it is to be classed with crime, it is idle to
talk about the regulation OF to those who so
treatit for neither the state nor the church can
COMPROMISE with things inherently wrong.
But this is not the view OF most people, and the
laity are reinforced by many OF the most pru-
dent. practical and devout OF the church in the
opinion that the chief wrong consists IN the
abuses to which the sppetites of men lead
them in using an article of diet which, prop
erly INDUCED in, is, IN their opinion, neither
harmful nor wrong in itself. Again, we must
remember that the State Is not called upon
as a political body to determine questions OF
morality except so far as the pubic is affected
by them, and hence, acting with the justice
and importantly which should always dlstn-
guish il, it may we'll pause before It attempts
10 prohibit as an evil habit, or taste or APP
petite so general as We know the moderate
use of siimulants to be. The State should
rather ask what are the evils resulting from
this traffic in strong drink, aud address Itself
to the regulation of IL so 20 stop II possible,
and if not. to limit as far as possible the
wrongs complained OF. Assuming, then, that
the improper use of such liquors leads
TO the real evil involved, the question e
pertinent. what are the specific evils and
how shall we meet themy Men as class
must be supposed 10 this as IN all kindred
cases TO know what is best Cor them aud
what they ought to eat and drink. But We
also know that some of them do not. and that
children before they reach years Of discretion
are not fit TO regulate themselves Ia all such
matters. We therefore find il necessary to
prohibit men, who are permitted by the law
10 sell LIQUOR, TO sell 70 minors, 70 sell 20
persons under the influence Of liquor. or 10
sell on Sunday or on election day, because the
proper calmnesS Of the one and the s3lemnigy
Of the other ought not 10 be interiered with
by such an agency. Ii the law we're observ-
ed and the men who are premllied 20 sell
we're men Of conscience, who Kept steadily
before them their daty % the public, there
would perhaps be little room Tor complaint
There would be no lutemperance 81 their
creation-no corruption OF youth-ne VIOLA
lions OF SUNDAY aud election day laws. Bat
We know that the reverse IS the case The
poiut 10 strike. therefore, would seem to be AZ
the proper selection Of those to whom the
privilege OF selling liquor shall be eonhded.
Instead OF throwing the doors wide open 70
everybody who applies for iieense 10 sell,
the number ought not emily 20 be resineted-
hut no man ought to be armed By the State
with this important aud delicate authority
who is not a man Of good moral character, and
so regarded by his neighbuTs aud The eommu
nitv in which he lives The Improper maltt-
pIieation OF licenses leads 70 a variety OF
evils. Saloons are not TO be regarded as
are grocery and baker shops, at which the
absolute Recessaries OF lsie are bought.
They stand upon no such footing aud apart
from eyers other consideration, d leads 20
such composition that the temptation 10 vFo-
Sare the Law in order 20 make living oaghi
not to be held out by the licensing power.
This is one of The evils to be done sssy with,
and wherever tired has been productive Of
good. But 10 whom shall be entrusted the
power 70 sell ia such places as may De
authorized a mans character cannot. Of
course, be measured hy the length OF h5s
purse, for We know that she highest qualities
are often found in the bumhicsi walks d lie
But We also know that Industry, thriu and
honest dealing are very apt 70 lead 20 the
4 accumulation Of some means. aRa that The
man who puts considerable sam 81 noney
in an enterprise IS not Ept 10 risk Il by VIOLA
laiions OF Law. Heuee the theory apon which
( high license proceeds. Il requires . price
10 be paid for valuable privilege 50 high
that be who pays j., and who az the same
I time proves n good moras character, - either
a bssinesS man himself AZ commands the
confidence Of some one Eh Is. Having paid
il and established himself ~ busineSs, % Is
not probable be wlli run TOE mex q having
his business destroyed by losing his iIeeuse,
even il willing to abuse his trnss By 20 dong
These are al remedies applied elsewhere
with the best possible results. They are ~
least Attainable, aud in this locality l. is clear
that absolute prohibition IS not OF course
the licensing power must be lodged IN some
responsible body In Pennsylvania it Is under
Ihe supervision Of the courts, aud bond Is
required 10 every ease, which, by ian. Is
made responsible for any damSge resulting
from violations Of the ia~, including costs
lines and penalties. The movement Ia iavor
of high license Is ia the right direction, and
If properly pressed il vail result 10 great good
10 the public.