The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-08-24
Hugh J. Reynolds, Views.

Hugh J, Reynolds Views,
 Editorio of the Journal and Courier; The article in your issue of this morning under the caption "stemming a Current" deserves notice from sew eral standponts. In the first place the subject Is public one and as such is entitled to consideration at the hands of men who have to do with matters of public interest
 The article to which I refer seems to have been suggested by the fact that Is announced that what Is called "The Connecticut Liquor Dealers associa- ton" propose to remain in session for two days instead of one at It's annual convention in Bridgeport next week. Mir. Editor please permit me to make the suggestion that It would be good idea, now that your hand is in, to do a little Investigating, and find out if there is really going to be conven- tion of dealers in real liquors, con- vention of men who are upholders of law and order When that point shall be settled beyond per adventure one will be better able to deal intellgently with the subject. Men who sell only cheap young poisonous spirits are not liquor dealers. Men who knowingly violate and oppose all laws that are intended to govern and regulate the liquor business are not qualified to meet in convention to legislate and speak out for the men of Connecticut who deal in real liquors, and who would not knowingly violate law
 There are men in the state of Con- necticut who deal in real liquors, and who willingly obey and uphold the laws pertaining to the business. The spirit which anlmates the article in the Courier has to do largely with the methods which prevail in the conduct of what is commonly called the liquor business. In taking this view of the case you have hit the nail on the head The methods which prevail in the con- duct of the so-called liquor business throughout the whole United States are simply shocking. The men who facetlously call themselves liquor deal- CTS" are on the eve of finding out that their methods are doomed. The liquor business men rightly conducted is a no- ble and useful adjunct to civilization All things that God made are good, when they are properly used. Any man who dares to assert that liquors are essentially bad, gives utterance to blasphemy. The illogical fanatic who denounces all liquor business as being immoral should use his efforts to focusing public attention on the vul- nerable spots in the liquor traffic
 For instance all spirits, beers and wines are rank poison when they are young and are not entitled to be call ed liquors at all Old liquors are a great medicine, the world needs them and must have them. Let the United States Congress, and the several states composing the union pass laws forbid ding the sale of young liquors.
 The enactment of such law would at once produce, not only reform, but a revolution in the conduct of the yb you could not enforce such a law" Well, it is a sad commentary on the law making power of this country if it must be confessed that 1t cannot enforce a righteous law
 Prohibltory laws are not enforced because they are not just laws, Pro- h.bitory laws arbitrarily deprive law abiding citizens of the right and the opportunity to use pure old liquors as a medicine There is nothing now known to materia medica that can take the place of pure old liquors in the sick room.
 In Germany in the fifteenth century a law was passed making it a capital crime to adulterate wines. For a time that law had deterring effect, but familiarity br6eds contempt After a time, one man made up his mind that he would steal a march on the law Ht was caught adulterating his wines. The man appointed to enforce that law chopped off his head at once. It was a long time after that happening before anybody ventured to adulterate wines in Germany. If the honest, we'll neaning people of this country will get together, and without the inter ference of grafters, hypocrites and craaks. and enact a law making it a cspital offence to sell young liquors Gold liquors are always pure, whole some and high priced), the liquor busi- ness will very quickly resolve itself in