The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 886, 11 November 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1871.

It must be no little disappointment to the advocates of the temperance movement that the present session will pass away without any legislation en a subject which they appear to have so thoroughly at heart. Teetotalers had long been looking forward to the present session of the General Assembly as a fitting opportunity for the establishment of their favorite doctrines. The numerous petitions in favour of a Permissive Bill which had been presented to the House of Representatives indicating a united action on the part of the disciples of temperance, together with the fact of the Premier beine; a zealous advocate of the principle, offered some reasonable ground for the expectation that a permissive measure would pass. But with all respect for the virtuous principles advocated and expressed by these reformers, and with every desire to see the evils successfuly stemmed arising from excessive drinking, we cannot shake off the objection of having a law thrust upon us by a class of men who can only arsue the Question ?mm fhoip nwm stand-point. The temperate and moderate man is the bete noire of the total abstainer, and in the desire of the latter to avoid the degradation and excess which he has probably experienced, he would force all men to live and act up to the standard of morality he has found it necessary to set up. There is yet another feature in connection with the question which would of itself account for the abandonment of the scheme, and that is the effect which legislation counteracting consumption of spirits would have upon the finances of the colony. It doubtless is very wrong that a mere pound, shillings, and pence view of the subject should influence the legislature of a country, but we can scarcely doubt but that the question of taxation would have a very important bearing upon the matter. Those who advocate a Permissive Bill at present would never rest satisfied until it ended in a Maine Liquor Law, and long before that were effected the Government must have decided whence the spirit revenue is to be made up. When it comes to a question whether we will be total abstainers and pay more taxes, or consume four to five gallons of spirits annually per head, with the present rate of taxation, we can scarcely doubt that the result must be the defeat of our social reformers. So long as the Colonial exchequer remains thus impoverished, while its revenue is so largely derived from the import duty on spirituous liquors, urgent necessity must compel the continuance of the present state of things. It would have been well, perhaps, if adopting a more moderate course, those who bewail the course of intemperance had exerted their efforts to obtain such a revision of the licensing laws as would have placed the trade upon a more satisfactory footing. Had they done this the cause of temperance would be much more supported and benefited.