Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1892-03-10
ICoMMuxIcArKp.
High License.

ago utmAhueu q better control OF the re-
tail liquor trade, and upon methods that
would not only only help social reform, but
at the same time secure a revenue in aid
of better government and FOR the general
| improvement of the city.
The liquor license was placed at $3.50.
The opposition was bitter. Ruin 10 the
poor man was looked for as inevitable.
The defeat Of the Democratic party in The
future was sure, and at the next meeting Of
the Legislature repeal of the law would
be asked for and granted.
Baltimore city never was better regulat-
cd and more prosperous than TO day; the
Democratic party there never stronger and
more United; and the three Senators aud
twenty one Delegates representing that city
have not as yet asked nor received a seri-
Gus petition for the repeal of the law.
Believing that similar reform was needed
here, and equally favorable terms could be
made with the State, a considerable portion
OF our people have asked our Senator and
Delegates for a similar law of 800 or less.
Great and bitter is the opposition. The
reasons urged are those and no stronger
than those in Baltimore, yetitis sad to say,
but true, that any change from our bad and
lawless system seems TO be hopeless. Law
less and hard as it is, it is in harmony with
the ideas and sentiments of class of men
who, by their wealth, position and activi-
ty, have for the past and do for the present,
dominate the political and public affairs of
our county.
A political grave is open TO him who is
a candidate for a position, howsoever so well
fitted he be, who is unwilling to come un-
der the yoke.
In our public affairs the Judges of the
Circuit Court, the Sheriff, States Attorney
Magistrates and Police of our county are
confronted each term and daily with
breach of the liquor license law. Its po-
tent power sits in the jury box, and its sad
effects is too often seen at the prison bar
Waste and want is seen on all sides, and
the hard pressed landowner and tenant is
still asked to pay full share in the shape of
high State and county tax.
"They want full measure OF all your pleas
ure,
But do not need your Woe"
Itdoes not require (as the oath of grand
juror has i0 any diligent inquiry to find
out the breach of our liquor license Ia W
Such, indeed, is an open secret
This scandal should be removed from our
county and our people and our Iurts and
officers charged with the enforcement of the
laws. All laws should be enforced, and if
not enforced, should be repealed.
Surely the moral sentiment and tone Of
our people is not below that of the people
of Baltimore which asked and ubtained.the
reform there gained. The principles of the
democratic party are not less potent here
than there; nor are our poor different or
less oppressed.
Surely none will say our representatives
ut Annapolis cannot as clearly see the sit
uation as did the representatives of Balti.
more city, Prince Georges and other coun.
ties-ard, seeing. have not equal ability
and courage TO remedy the evil-thereby
not only helping the social reform Of our
people, doing the greatest good 10 the
greatest number, bnt most of all helping
our revenues, at the same time repeating
the rotten laws that have been strain on
our courts and people long enough.
The remedy 10 effect this, / would sug.
gest, would be one liquor license to all
dealers-il not of 500, of $65 or S7O-the
sum of SIS or $50 to go to the State, the
balance to go TO the county. This will
/ give our county, with no precepiible loss
70 the dealer or purchaser, nearly 5000,
which can be applied 10 the reduction d
taxes, or given with al equal amount lev
led as now on the property OF the county
to the making of good roads and bridges SO
badly needed. Thus the working man and
merchants who use the public roads and
need them good will realize with the farm
er large benefit in the general progress
which good well laid out roads must give
TO ALL
L am not one TO hope for much reform OF
morals and manners by prohibitory laws,
but laws properly regulating and restrain.
ing have their good effect everywhere
Personal viii and control, with good associ.
atoms, and the grace of God are generally the
power that leads us to steer clear In temp.
tation. But it seems a perfect world and
people we can't have here. There is q
class that will be wretched.
To be miserable they are yearning, to mis-.
cry they are turning,
No method can escape them that promises
that end"
Even this class will under such law have
the comfort in their distress and want %
know they have at least dropped nickel
tout of the hundreds they have wastedl in
the slot of the county treasury for the ex.
pense they must cause or the pension they
one day may ask.
Bargains! bargains!
All of the winter clothing on hand al
cost Ii you want a suit, coal or pair Of