The Press., 1893-04-13
Rev. J. H. James, secretary of the Conn. Tenn perance Union, has issued the following cir-
PENDING LEGISLATION.

Rev. J. H. James, secretary of the Conn. Tenn
 perance Union has issued the following cir-
 cular:
 PENDING LEGISLATION.
 The Connecticut capitol will soon be the scene of battles, the results of which must be so far-reaching and important that every citizen ought to understand the issues and throw all the influence God may give him on the side of right. Pending legislation against gambling and for electoral reform has been widely discussed, and has the approval of all honest people. Some proposed changes in laws relating to intoxicants may not be so well understood
 The plan suggested of having one hear ing and only one in year on each appli- cation for license must commend itself to those who have known of the mischief re- sulting from the re-opening of cases and granting licenses after they have been once rejected. The bill already before the house of representatives, with favor able report of the committee on the ju- dietary, transferring the final decision from the county commissioners to the | judges of the superior courts, will be helpful, especially if it can be so modified l that unsuccessful remonstrants shall not be compelled to pay heavy bills of costs. Another good proposition is that fees for licenses shall go into the treasury of the state, instead of that of the town, thus \ weakening with tax-papers the money ar- gument for license. The bill providing that state funds shall be withheld from schools that neglect thorough scientific temperance teaching deserves universal approval Under the present law, which has no penalty, large majority of pupils leave the public schools in such ignorance makes them its easy victims. This law will put Connecticut in. line with other states in this regard. Other measures are proposed, concerning some of which there may be difference of opinion.
 But it is to the efforts to tear away the restrictive provisions of existing laws that special attention needs to be turned. About score of bills, most of them con- ing directly from the state brewers asso- citation, and all intended to help the drink traffic, are already in the hands of the committee on temperance. By repeating the reputation" clause, and maiming that which permits "search and seizure," by permitting the now forbidden "club- rooms," and in other ways it is sought to cripple local prohibition in no-license towns.
 | Where licenses are granted it is pro- posed that any number of applications may be backed by one man or firm, thus making it easy for all who desire to ob- tain license, and placing unlimited power in the hands of those most dangerous classes" wholesale liquor-sellers and brewers, through their control of their debtors and vassals, the saloonists. An other scheme is that of:permitting hotels of twenty-five rooms or more to furnish drinks with meals to boarders on all days, including election days, and far worse, Sundays. Among still more radical meas ures proposed are the reduction of the maximum fee for license from $500 to $500, with special facilities for beer shops, making 1t easy also to sell stronger drinks.
 To witness the vigorous and persistent efforts before the committee on temper ance on the part of the president of the state brewers association, is to be con- vinced that there is great need of a sud- , den and general awakening of sober citi- zens, if the state is to be saved from a deluge of rum.
 Thus far there has been no action clear ly showing the attitude of either branch of the legislature, but it will not be safe for temperance people to expect Bull Run" in the committee room to be follow ed by an "Appomattox" in the legislative halls. The committee on temperance treats all corners with courtesy and con- sideration. The trouble is, so few appear in the interests of temperance. No re- port has yet been made by the committee. The only argument the traffic can offer is that the business is "legitimate," and sustained by "public sentiment" and therefore ought not to be trammeled. The only way to meet this is to demon- strate that public sentiment does not fa- vor the removal of restrictions This may be done by getting the people in all parts of the commonwealth to speak em- phatically and immediately. From pull pit and platform and press all over the state should go forth utterances that will rouse the people to. remonstrate against any relaxation of the grip of law upon the rum traffic. By public gatherings with ringing resolutions, by petitions, by per sonal letters to the committee on temper ance or it's members, and by expressions to individual representatives from citizens of their own towns, there ought to come against laws helping the drunkard-making monopoly protest so vigorous and em- phatic that the matter will be set at rest until better legislation can be secured. The recent experience of New Jersey shows how little avail are indignation meetings after the enactment of bad laws. The place to throttle these bills is in the committeeman. The time is now.
 If every man who receives this will do his part immediately it may not be too late to avoid disastrous legislation. As a leader of public sentiment, can you dc , less than express to the lawmakers your decided hostility to any increase of the powers and privileges of the dealers in drink? A very few words will do it, but there is not an hour to lose.
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 A MOUNTAIN PREACHERS H. | YYCTD