SUPPRESSION OF INTEMPERANCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 98, 12 April 1876, Page 4

SUPPRESSION OF INTEMPERANCE.

We have further; particulars from the United States of the utter failure of the attempt to suppress intemperance by legislative enactments in Michigan; a state .with a population about equal to that of Victerin. A law was passed declaring the whole business of sailing liquors illegal, and the fullest snd the fairest trial was given to it. The results are set forth in a report presented to tho United States Revenue deportment, by iis own. officers, which stated that there were ascertained to be'6,444 places in that state in which liquor was being clandestinely sold, and that the receipts of those engaged in the unlawful traffic was estimated at £7,600,000 sterling per annum. As a matt er of -course, much' of the stuff- thus secretly retailed was of a inoßt pernicious character, so that, rthiio : drunken ness was not diminished, tipplers were poisoned as well as dt'tnoraliaocJ. Such a law Btood self-concieraned, and it was repealed in favor of un enactment imposing annual licence fees ranging from £50 to £60, upon persons distilling or brewing or retailing spirits or malt liquors. One of the prominent features ot the new law is the requiting of cvory publican or liquor-dealer to give bonds of not Jess thau £200 each, to be approved of by tho local authoritias in writiug, for the proper and respeclallj conduct of t hiß -house. This is probably borrowed from the English Act in relution to the keepers of beershops, who are not only called upon to entgr

into a bond of this kind but must obtain a certificate of good character from six respectable ratepayers before the Board of Inland Revenue will grant them a license. It is stated that the new law in Michigan is working extremely well. It is practicable, and it is thoroughly enforced. There is less drunkenness, and the total number of arreßte for crimes is much smaller than during the corresponding months of previous years. The trade is in the hands of reputable men, who are under no temptation to retail adulterated liquors; and whilst most of the viler " ruraholes" are being closed, no new ones are opened.— Argus,