The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-01-16
TIE LICENSE AGITATION.

A warm contest is going on in this
town over the applications for liquor
licerse to he heard next Monday
On last Monday the names of all
applicants in Bloomsbury, with the
names of their bondsmen, attorneys.
petitioners, and owners of the pro.
perties, were published in the Daily,
the article being marked as an adj
vertisement, and said to have been
paid for by somebody. This publica-
ton has aroused a bitter feeling
among those whose names appear,
and the matter has been the chief
topic of discussion during the week.
Among the list are many of the most
prominent citizens Of Bloomsbury,
and they look upon the publication
as an effort to injure them in their
business, and to cast reflection upon
their personal characters, and to
prevent them from signing petitions
next year, by intimidation. Whether
the method being pursued is ju
dicious one, can be told only by
results in the future. The temperance
cause is undoubtedly a good one,
but 1t seems to us that men can be
more easily induced to lend it their
moral support by being led to it, rather
than driven to it by fear of having
their names published, or by any
other species of intimidation.
Whether licensed houses are to be
recognized and permitted to exist, is
not the question at issue. The law
recognizes them and regulates the
manner in which they shall be licensed
and conducted. The courts must ad-
minister the law as it is found on the
statute books. The responsibility of
determining whether there is a neces-
sity for any more licensed houses in
Bloomsburg, or in the county, is with
them. The duty of informing the
court upon the question is with the
citizens, and those who favor more
licenses have the right to sign peti-
tions to that effect, while those who
think otherwise are at perfect liberty
to file remonstrances and both have
the privilege Of going upon the witness
stand in open court to testify in these
matters.
Over and over again spasmodic
efforts have been made in a general
way to prevent the granting of licenses.
Over and over again, general remon-
strances have been filed against the
granting of some particular license, or
against the granting Of any licenses.
Over and over again the law has been
laid down by the court, applicable to
such cases, and has been printed in
the newspapers and yet the move
ment revives enthusiastically along
the same old lines that have failed re.
peatedly heretofore, all efforts being
directed toward the prevention of
licenses, rather than towards the en-.
forcement Of the law as it stands. If
there were proper organization, and
a fund to draw upon, and we'll direct.
ed management, looking toward the
punishment Of violation of the liquor
law, much more good could be ac-
complished than by trying 70 stop
the sale of cigars and newspapers and
soda water on Sunday. A spasm of
reform once year is not sufficient.
Vigilance all the year round is what
is needed, and if reports be true, that
there are in this town, gambling holes,
bars that sell liquor on Sunday, and
to minors, and to intoxicated persons,
and to habitual drunkards, the court
will, no doubt, revoke any license
where such violators can be shown.
If policemen and constables make no
returns of violations of law, elect
others who can see what is going on
under their very noses, and who have
the courage to tell it. Reform is
needed in many departments in
Bloomsburg, and it will come the
sooner if the co operation of our
leading business men can be secured,
result that cannot be hoped for, if
they are to be held up to public
contempt by having their names
published for doing what they have a
legal right to do.
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