Year: 1878

Al the time draws near for the meet
ing Of the Legislature there seems to
oe growing feeling, even among some
Of our most extreme temperance men,
in favor of Free Liquor Law" a.
being more potent for the suppression
Of crime and for raising revenue for
State purposes, than the present license
law. The very idea Of free liquor
law has something very revolving about
it, to the religious, moral and temper
Ance element of the State, but perhaps
after all, this arises from the fact that
its provisions are not properly under
stood. The people who have for years
past been sndsavoring to enforce the
present license law, with the idea that
BY 90 doing they are suppr4ssing crime,
have awoks to the fact that they have
all this time been beating against the
wind, and have really encouraged more
than checked the Illegal traficin intox-
icating liquors. In order that this
free liquor law, alluded to, may 10
properly understood, let us note fnw
Of IL contemplated provisions, which
many Of the hotel keepers are agreed to.


First-There is to be NO distinction
in granting licenses, but all, from the
highest to the lowest, stand upon the
same footing, the business Of selling H.
quor being left open to competition
like the dry goods, grocery, or any
other kind Of business, entirely doing
away with what temperance men have
found TO be the miserable farce of twen-
ty-four respectable (') men certifying AN
applicant for license to be = respscta-
hle man and of good repute for morals
and honesty.


Seoond-By the way Of treating
everybody alike, from the lowest to the
highest, a personal liability clause ID
proposed, and.everyboay who engages
in the business Is to enter into bonds in
sufficient amount to compensate fol
any damage which may result from sell
ing liquor to any person until he be.
comes intoxicated, or selling to him af.
ter he is intoxicated, through which
the loss Of property or life is endan.
gered.


Third-It is also proposed to have
the enforcement of such law made thu
special business Of police officers, con
stables and justices of the peace, undel
penalty for refusal to en- force it, ant
it has also been hinted that it woulc
be good idea to give justices of tn,
peace jurisdiction over minor infrao
tions Of the law.


Fourth.-The amount of license TO b,
paid TO remain as at present, 500, Of
to be increased, no matter, as that is II
be regulated by the amount OF revenu.
desired to be raised, and the selling tt
minors, the Sunday law aud other pro
visions to he left as they now are.


Fifth-lt is also proposed to follow
up the punishment of violation of thu
law besides fine, with an imprison
ment clause, say of three months 70
the first offence, six for the second, an
If this wont cure, disfranchisement AM
unlimited imprisonment for third o
any subsequent violation OF the law.


The provisions set forth in this roug
sketch Of the proposed law, are Of cours
subject to many changes to meet tn
views Of many people. but we merel
give the outlines to show the change
public sentiment that is going on anon
the temperance people. There can b
no doubt however that law embOdy
ing in main the above ideas is fndin
'avor amongst temperance men an
those who are in favor of law regul.
ting the traffic that can be enforced an
that will make violations odious. Thi
law though hedged around with man
guarantees is nevertheless free liquo
law as nobodyis prohibited from pngagin
in the sale OF liquor who wishes to d
so, by complying with certain specific
forms alike applica TO all.