The Local Option Law

The Local Option Law.

What will be the effect of prohibition carrying in this county is a question in which every thinking man has a personal interest. We have given the law before, but here republish the section of act 197 on which we vote February 27.

Sec. 2. That from and after the first Monday in May next, after such special election, it is hereby declared unlawful to manufacture, sell, give away, or furnish malt, brewed, fermented, vinous or intoxicating liquors of any kind, or in any quantity, of liquors, any part of which is malt, brewed, fermented, vinous or intoxicating, or to keep for sale, or keep a place where such liquors are manufactured or kept for sale, given away or furnished, within the limits of any county in which a majority of the votes cast at the election next preceding upon the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors, as provided in section one of this act, have been cast against the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors; except where done by a druggist who is, or who employs, a registered pharmacist, strictly in compliance with the laws for the regulation of druggists. And whoever, within such limits, himself, or by agent, or otherwise, thus manufactures, sells, furnishes, or gives away any such liquors, or keeps for sale, or keeps a place where such liquors are manufactured or kept for sale, given away or furnished, upon conviction thereof, in any court of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined in any sum not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned in the county jail not less than ten days nor more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the court.

lt will be seen that this is not a very strong law in some respects, while it is too strong in others. Under the terms of the act, any one who manufactures wine for his own use is liable to be fined $1,000 or imprisoned six months. On the other hand any man can open a drug store and sell, with impunity, all the liquor he wants to, by the ounce or pint. This would naturally give rise to many place with bottles filled with colored water, jars filled with a few roots, herbs, some salt peter, etc, and a large number of barrels filled with whiskey, brandy, etc. The exact wording of the law which is to be in force where prohibition carries is given above, and each one of our readers can study out its effect for himself.