Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1892-03-31
the cHAprfR on pRAM-snors.

text of the chapter of the new Ammo
tated Code. entitled "Dramshops." II
is simply high license local option
law; and. while taken as whole, 1t Is
an improvement on the legislation of
the past on this subject, it is not what
the State had right to expect of a
Legislature of moral and Christian
men clothed with the authority and
responsibility of conserving and pro
tecting the peoples highest interests.
All should read the chapter and be
come familiar with its provisions,
We will briefly note the main points of
difference between this and existing
laws:
/. The election and petition features
are combined. To call an election one
third instead of one-tenth of the quail
fed electors must petition for it, no
matter whether the election is to be
held in a Prohibition or a license coun-
ty. The ballots must be official, and
the election conducted as under the
general law Though a county may
vote in favor of license after once
voting against it, no dramshop can be
licensed until full two years expire
since the last dram-shop was closed.
The result of elections must be made
a matter of record, and in prosecutions
for violations of the provisions of the
chapter, courts are required to take
judicial cognizance of whether an cleo
ton has been held and how decided
Local prohibitory laws are not disturb
ed by the chapter, and county voting
in favor of license does not repeal any
five-mile or local law. All counties
which voted liquor out under the old
local option law, remain dry until an
election is held which is carried for
the sale" A person who signs a petit
ton for license and counter petition.
shall be counted against license, and
may not withdraw his name from the
contemplation for Il months after it
is filed. Wholesale dealers must petit
ton for license the same as retailers.
Failure to separate names and use
proper capitals in publishing, inval-
idates petition for license.
>. The minimum license fee for viii
lage and country dram shops is $500;
for towns, 800: for cities, $1,000: all of
which goes into the State treasury.
Cities and towns may levy not less
than % per cent additional to State
tax for local purposes. There is no
maximum limit to the license fee, and
local boards have the power, if so dis
posed. to tax dramshops out of exist
ence.
g. Any signer of counter petition
may appeal from the decision of the
board granting license by giving
moderate bond for costs.
4. a violation of any of the provi-
sions of the chapter by licensed deal
er makes his license void. and summary
may be instituted against
him by any citizen before the circuit
judge. chancellor, justice of the peace
or mayor, and if the charge is sustained
his dram-shop abated as a nuisance,
though he has the right to appeal.
). Unlawful selling or giving away of
liquors at ones place of business, not
only lays him liable to criminal prose-
cution. but subjects him to civil pro-
ceedings and the payment of $500 each
to State, town and county.
6. Heavy penalties are imposed for
selling to a minor, Indian, intoxicated
person or habitual drunkard, and
minors may not be allowed to enter
and remain in dramshp.
7. Neither candidates nor other per-
sons are allowed to use liquor to infu-
ence voters.
s. Liquors may not be carried to,
given away or sold at any public meet
ing or entertainment.
O. Adulteration of liquors is made
penitentiary offense.
One of the most Objectionable fea-
lures to tipplers and dram-shop keepers
requires the liquors to be sold in the
front part of building where kept. I'M
shielded by screens; and neither card
playing, dice-throwing, pool nor bill
lard playing is allowed on the prem
iSeS.
The following section had been mad
vertently omitted by the Revision
Committee when the LEADER obtained
a copy of the chapter and has been in
serted since:
INFANTS NOT TO LIE ABOUT THEIR AGES.
SEC. - If an infant, when asked by
dram-shop keeper when entering
dram shop. how old he is, falsely an
swers that he is over q years of age,
or in words so meaning, he shall on
be fined not less than S1.OO
nor more than $1,000, or be imprisoned
in the county Jail not less than one
day nor more than 10 days or both.
All of the best features of existing
laws are retained and embraced in the
chapter We have here tried to men
ton only changes and additions.
The chapter goes into effect at once.