Year: 1867




The Prohibitsry Lnw.


The word "prohibitory" does not strictly an
ply to the Maine liquor law. The. supporters
of that law who would absolutely prohibit the
use of Intoxicating liquors are very few. The
great body of Temperance men believe that
liquors have medicinal use, and the law pro-
vides for their sale for medicinal purposes.
The question which has just been decided in
Massachusetts is not whether strong drinks
shall be put on the same footing with other ar
ticles of merchandise, but whether they shall
be rendered somewhat more accessible than
they now are. To that extent, what is called
the prohibitory principle is accepted on all
sides. The Massachusetts petitioners asked
that ale and cider might be sold by registered
venders under certain regulations, and that
other liquors might be sold at hotels and eat
ing houses to guests. The petition was reject
ed in the House of. Representatives by vote
of 161 to GA, almost three to one.


1t would be a mistake to infer from this deci
sive vote, that so large majority of the peo-
pie of Massachusetts, are satisfied that the
present law is perfect either in its theory or its
machinery. The variety of views which pre-
vailed in the Massachusetts Legislature was
well illustrated in the diverse reports recon-
mending the dismissal of the petition. Four
members of the committee united in affirming
that 'the use Of iermented and distilled liquors
is often noxious, should always be restrained.
and should never be tolerated except in ex-
ceptional cases." Two members reported that
in their view the law had not been fairly test
ed; the legal principles have but recently been
settled; the machinery of the law has but re-
Gently been perfected by the appointment of
the State constabulary; and that its friends
had right to ask now that the experiment be
fairly tried. If it should prove useful mea-
sure, these gentlemen urged the advocates of
wider license would withdraw their opposition
If it should prove failure, after fair trial, its
friends would willingly consent to a change
The verdict OF the Legislature, which undoubt-
eddy reflects the public opinion of the State,
shows clearly that the people OF Massachusetts
are Overwhelmingly in favor not only OF re-
straining the sale of liquors but of faithful
trial of the present law. In New York and
Philadelphia excise laws of unprecedented
rigor have recently been put in force Sunday
sales and night sales are now prohibited in
both these great cities, and in the Western
States and cities there is decided movement
in favor Of prohibitory legislation.


All these indications show that the principle,
of prohibition is for the present firmly estab-
lshed in the public favor. The Democratic
politicians who, it is said, are dreaming of the
overthrow of the Maine law in its native State
will find if they raise the issue, that they have
added another to the long catalogue OF their
blunders. The question is not national it per
tains simply to our local police. Party lines
do not follow the divisions OF opinion ON thus
subject. If the repeal of the Maine law should
be agitated in this State now, while its friends
have not yet completed their arrangements for
putting it fairly into operation, people would
divide as they have divided recently in Bangor
and Portland on local questions-w without ref
erence to party-and an immense majority
would be found in favor of giving the law a
further trial. .- t


As we are to have the law then, it only re-
mans to consider whether it should be so
drawn and executed as to suit its friends or its
enemies. The people of the State are called
upon to vote next Monday on that very ques-
ton. The friends Of the law, the men who be-
ieve 1t an instrument for good and are sincere
ly anxious to see it thoroughly executed, ask
the popular approval ior amendments which
they regard as essential to its faithful execu-
ton. They will vote for the amendments. The
people who are opposed TO any legislation on
the subject, and those who, like Ethan Spike,
are in favor OF the law but opposed to its exc
cution," will vote against the amendments
How will the great body of citizens vote, who
regard the law as an experiment, and are will
ling to recognize its success or failure, which
ever time may show? How can they vote, ex-
cept to give the sincere and earnest men who
are engaged in this reform, such weapons as
they require, TO fight against an evil which all
good men deplore! Ii we are to retain the
AAiao law npnn our staruto beok-ana xpo are,
there is no doubt of that-then in the interest
of all law let it not remain a dead letter. If
the law says to the citizen, you shall not sell
intoxicating liquors under penalty OF imprison-
ment-and it does, the amendments only make
the punishment certain instead of contingentA
then let the penalty follow the offence. Let
the law be administered as it u.s. Let us have.
no more legislative threats without due per
formance. When we have seen the law in accc
tual operation, in town and country alike neo-
pie can judge better of its merits. If it does
not work well, it can be and will be modified.
but at any rate let US have an end of statute
lying.