The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-01-11

evils by legislation. This is eminently
true of our own State. The questions con-
nected with IL form one of the most difficult
problems submitted TO you for solution.
In 1887 the Legislature passed a law known
as Local Option act, authorizing counties
by vote of its citizens to prohibit the manu-
facture and sale of Intoxicating liquors
within its jurisdiction. They also amended
what was known as the tax law, increasing
the tax upon the sale Of liquors and beer {,
and otherwise providing for its more rigid
enforcement. By virtue of the Local
Option law 81 counties voted upon the ques-
ton, and So of these voted to prohibit the
sale and manufacture, most of these by very
large majorlties But unfortunately the
law was declared to be unconstitutional by
the Supreme Court, because of defect in the
title. By the same high judicial tribunal
some of the most valuable amendments to
the tax law were nulliied. Evidences of
the magnitude of the evils of intemperance
are to be found in every direction. Those
who visit our State Prisons, reformatOry
and charitable Institutions with desire TO
investigate the causes that fill these institu
tions with their population are painfully re-
minded of the evils inflicted upon society by
the traffic in, and use of strong drink. 1t is
certainly the right and the duty of law max
ers to exhaust every effort In applying
remedy for these evils, and when the remedy
is discovered, what ever it may be, it must
be fearcssly and effectively applied.
The sentiment of our State, as clearly
indicated at the polls, is in favor of the
adoption of such measures as will restrict
the evils of intemperance to the narrowest
possible limits, and in doing this we must
not forget that laws relating to this subject
as well as others, must be enforced by pub
lie sentiment. Indeed law itself is but such
sentiment crystallized, and under the genius
of our institutions, laws must be enforced
by local anthority-courts, prosecutors and
jurors. In order to do this public sentiment
must be stimulated and educated. A stream
can never rise higher than its source, and
this illustrates tho enforcement of law. 1t
is to be deplored that agencies once to prom
Using and potent have been impaired, even
destroyed by strife and contention, and
some that were once active in propagating
and building up temperance sentiments, are
now using their power solely and alone to
propagate and build up party. But even
this does not excuse the legislator from the
discharge of his duties. And believing that
the sentiment of large portion of the State
is ripe and ready for it, l commend to your
consideration the passage of local option
law if one can be devised free from const
tutional objections. Entertaining sincere
doubts rs to this point, l desire to urge
upon your careful attention the question of
Unfortunate indeed would
it be to adopt measures relating to this sub
ject that will again be oyerthrown by COM
petent, judicial authority.
The evil to be confronted is great and
and at night is doing its deadly work.
Many saloons of the lower order arc rem
devious for criminals. With q high hand il
attempts to dictate measures and to elect its |
friends to official position. 1t is so strong
that good men sometimes bow down and
obey its demands. But in somcway, some
how, 1t must be met and restraints applied. |
If our constitution prohibits us from secur-
ing an efficient law for localities it does not |
prohibit general prohibitory law. and if |
we are denied other opportunities, no doubt |
in the future this course will be resorted to-
Some amendments to the tax law should he |
made increasing the tax and TO render its |
more certain. Complaints |
against prosecuting attorneys for neglect in |
liquor cases are not infrcquent. Possibly |
their duties may be more clearly defined.
The passage of law prohibiting the sale |
Of intoxicating drinks within three miles of |
State educational institutions has been urged |
upon my attention, and while am not |
quite prepared to recommend the adoption Of |
this measure, yet its consideration in con-
ncction with the whole question is submitted |
to you for sold ION.