Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-04-13
for selling liquor in revenge for purely per i.

for selling liquor in revenge for purely per
sonal differences, &c.
Under this law more people actually en-
gage in the liquor traffic than would be pos
sible under any license system that could he
| adopted. All persons now engaged 10 thus
business in the county are law breakers such
of them az could secure licenses under diff
ferent system would, as a matter Of business,
use every effort to suppress unlicensed places
thereby becoming law enforcers, instead of
law breakers. Under the present system
| liquor Is sold to minors, drunken persons,
&C., to a greater extent than would be posi-
BILE under well regulated license 81 stem.
The fact that this law is violated so gener-
| ally and so openly with impunity has very
demoraiz:ng effect upon public morals, aud
creates lack OF respect for all law, Which il
not checked, will lead to disastrous conse-
quences.
In presenting the foregoing, | desire it TO
be distinctly understood that II is q mere
statement of facts and conditions, and not
in Intended as an ar ument in favor of any par
ticular form of law 10 take the place Of the
present one. 1t may be possible to change
the present law so rs to eliminate the evils
recited, or an entirely new law may be
required to accomplish that result but that
these evils should be eliminated from our
system, aud that the time for the people 10
consider the question has arrived, ! think
cannot be doubted.
A bull modelled after the Cecil County law
and the general temperance bill was sub
mitted as tentative measure to the senator
and delegates 10 the last legislature from this
county towards the close of the session.
Earlier action was not taken because Il was
supposed that the circumstances surround
ing the election OF the senator two years ago
last fall, and the manner in which the MEM
beers ofthe House of Delegates were nomi-
mated and elected last fall, would cause the
delegation from this county to take some
action of their own motion. II was also
known that the senator had prepared bill
on the subject, before the legislature met,
which il was thought he would introduce or
offer as substitute TO any bill coming from
the House of Delegates. About two weeks
before the Legislature adjourned II was
learned definitely that the senator would not
introduce his bill and that no bill on the
subject would be introduced by the members
of our delegation in the House, unless II
measure was prepared and submitted to
them, which would meet their approval. 1t
was also learned that II measure upon the
lines of the Cecil County law would be more
acceptable to majority of them than any
other Acting upon this information the
bill was prepared. As above stated, the bill
was purely tentative measure and the
senator and members Of the House were re-
quested to make any changes that they saw
fit. or to indicate what changes they desired,
and they would be made to suit them. But
they failed TO take any positive action in
regard to the matter. The history OF the bill
in the House asalready been published II re-
mains to be said, however, that Senator Bouic
was requested to amend the bill granting
license 10 Cabin John Bridge Hotel, which
passed the House, by substituting this bill in
the Senate, with any modification he should
see til. This he declined to do
Every citizen OF the county who is inter
ested in its welfare, should get u copy OF this
bill, and with il rs basis, formulate what
changes will 0e required in it, in order to
meet his particular views, and let the result
be known A consensus Of opinion can then
be obtained, which will result in perma-
nent settlement Of the que stion. Those per
sous who want TO retain the present law
but who desire to have II 80 amended, with
out resubmission, as to make it more effect
i've and 10 simplify the methods OF securing
conV iclions, will find that with slight mOdi
iicatiOns all that part of the bill preceding
Section o, II made to constitute separate
BILL will probably meet their views. In
like ma nner all those in favor of high IL
cense system without again referring the
matter to the people, will find that they can
easily construct measure TO meet their
views by taking as y basis all that portion
of the bill from Section s, TO the end. In
the same way this bill can be easily changed
so as to submit the questions to vote of the
entire county, instead Of by districts, If that
should be the only objection or make any
other change desired.