Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1892-02-18
TCoarMUNIcATED.

TCoAfMUNIcATED.
Messrs. Editors There are probably
very few of our people who do not recog
nize with pain, that our county is much
behind most portions Of our State in all
matters relating to material progress. Any
attempt to better our condition should be
greeted with, at least, respectful attention.
Wien the initiative in such a movement is
taken by one so deservedly honored and
esteemed as Col. John T. Dent is and has
so long been, both within and without our
borders, something more than respectful
attention is due. all should be prepared
to aid him in his laudable purpose in view
of the guarantee that his past career affords
of the wisdom accompanying his counsel.
Endorsing his action, allow me, through
your columns to express my approval OF
one important feature of the recommended
tons of the committee OF which Col. Dent
is chairman with my reasons for approval.
refer TO the question ofthe propc1ed higher
tax upon the sale of intoxicants. There is
no principle more fully recognized than
the right and propriety of interference with
individual privileges, on the part of the
community, where public rights and bene-
its are involved. We regulate by law the
toll to be charged by the miller, the rate of
interest for money loaned, railroad charges,
the sale of poisonous substances and many
other matters that will readily occur to all
who have given the question any thought
AS matter of fact, emergence from the
savage to the civilized condition necessi-
tates the subordination of individual TO
public rights The only question that
should arise in argument upon the advisa-
bility of the passage of law apparently
infringing upon private rights, is, does the
public veal demand il? Upon the proper
appreciation of this matter by the law
making power. depends the worth of
government
Applying this rule to the question of the
sale Of intoxicants, think it will be ac-
knowledged that the sale of spirituous IL
quors Is menace TO the peace Of COM
munity and temptation TO wrong. This
being so, the right TO regulate the sale is
clear. This regulation may extend TO pro-
hihition except for medical purposes, or
may be of such a nature as indicated by
the plan proposed, to levy such tax as
may make the conduct of the business less
profitable. and so limit the SALE The tax
suggested by the committee should Judge
10 be tentative rather than an end proposed.
The only question that would arise in my
mind on this point, is this, can we regulate
such sales to the advantage of the public I?
This question candid investigator can
only answer in the affirmative, who will
carefully look at the results attained where
such regulation has been attempted.
Some years since / had occasion to trav-
el over large portion of the Eastern Shore
counties where "local option" was in force.
l attended public meetings and saw much
of the people and did not see a single case
of drunkenness that can recall, during
quite protracted sojourn. There was some
violation of the law undoubtedly, but of
drinking 10 excess, SO far as my obserya-
ton went, there was none. I have since
that time on several occasions visited por-
tons of that section and where 'local CD.
ton" prevailed, there was TO all appear
ances, people of perfect sobriety, and
this where | know drinking TO excess was
deplorably common before the attempt at
suppression On one occasion, recall n
visit TO section where of my own knowl.
edge there was formerly much dissipation
Fhe local option" law had gone into op-
Grafton. At the time Of my visit, there
was large assemblage for several DAYS in
attendance upon an Agricultural Fair that
attracted visitors from neighboring conn.
ties. During the entire time I saw but one
man in the slightest degree intoxicated.
Similar testimony will. l think, be given
by candid investigators, not only where
prohibition is attempted but also where
high-license is adopted for the same pur-
pose. In addition. the criminal business of
the county courts is by all acknowledged
to be In . marked degree lessened under
the regulation of the sale of intoxicants.
These points are clear, then, to my mind
that the sale of liquor is temptation that
we can, If we viii. remove, If not altogeth-
er, yet, certainlyin great part. In other
sections, the trouble has been recognized
and in part remedied. Il ezcessice drinking
a rice Of our people, Are oar pseps sgf.
Jsriag their young men 70 groas up an Tie
preseace Of a temptation that may BE- their
rusa and sesseh zee mag reBs0re eDsn ia part
Can the candid mind give other than an
affirmative answer to these auestionss /
for one heartily welcome the beginning of
the effort TO regulate this traffic that only
brings our people evil GEo. THOMAS.
MATTAPAEY, Feb. 8, 1892.