Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-03-02
WE APPROVE THE LANCASTER
PROHIBITION BILL.

Senator Lancaster has introduced
in the Legislature bill providing
for the prohibition of the sale of
liquor in thi. County after the fiscal
year 1906 This is a good bill-the
best in sight-and should become a
law. OF course there are two
sides to almost every question
Of importance that concerns the peo-
pie and the question as to whether
the sale of liquor in this County
should be stopped is not unlike any
other aud mueh can he said on both
sides From sentimental stand
point, were we to have given away
to those tenderer instincts that so
often control the human will, we
would have plunged, ere this, head
long into the vexing controversy, and
advocated with reckless unconcern
any law that ould prohibit the sale
Of Intoxicating drinks in the County,
for the tendorest love that ever ap-
pealed to the heart of man has be-
sought us to 90 in pell-mell and ex-
ert every influence in our power to
destroy, if possible, the abuse of the
dangerous privilege that caused an
aching void in a home that is near
and dear to US, and brought sorrow
and distress to so many others, and
is daily, nay, hourly,with its evil hand
striving to add another grief to
bleeding hearts and to send many
more Of our best citizens to untimely
graves. But we have withstood these
foreeful, yet trying appeals, in the
hope that in the position we would
finally assume on this important
question, whatever influence the
INDEPENDENT might have, would
be, as it always has been and will
ever he so long as the present man
agement controls its opinions, for the
best interest of the whole people.
After much thought we have reached
a conclusion. Several propositions
have been advanced, but none of
these came up to the necessities of
the occasion, as we see it. High
license has been suggested, but the
objection to that plan, is, it will
create monopolies 1t would be I'M
fair to the small dealer. A Liquor
License Board with certain restric-
tons and severe punishment for VIC
lators of the law has been talked of,
but the idea is not practicable, as it
is not to be even presumed that
liquor dealers who will not respect
the limitations upon the sale Of liquor
nov in existence will respect others
that may be passed on the subject
and administered through a Liquor
Commission, instead of a grand jury.
So looking at the subject fairlY-and
only from the standpoint of the great
est good to the greatest number-we
are forced to the conclusion that we
had better try She experiment of pro
hibiting the sale altogether.
There are hardships to follow ia
some cases, Of course. That cannot
be avoided. There is no law that
can be passed that will not work
hardship upon somebody, but it is
better that few individuals suffer
than a whole county. Senotor Ian
casters bill contains a saving clause,
which will practically save a large
majority Of those engaged in the re-
tail business Of selling liquor from any
loss. Il is not to 90 into effect until a
year after its passage, This will give
them ample time to get rid Of their
stock on hand and to look out for
other employment.
This is all the retail liquor dealers
could expect. They have brought the
whole trouble upon themselves by the
abuse Of the privilege they now enjoy
and have made the business obnox-
ious to almost every community. So
they have no right to complain.
We are, however, open to a change
Of views. If auy other and a better
proposition is submitted, we will en-
dorse it, but at this late day when the
Legislature is within thirty days OF
adjourning and the whole subject
having been threshed over again and
again, we anticipate none. The is
sue is squarely before the people and
has to be met and dsaitwith heroic
ally. The business q Selling liquor
has become so degraded and degrad-
ing that instead of being benefit to
the County, as all business pursuits
should be, it has become a curse and
must be curtailed or altogether stop
ped There is no escape from this
fact