Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1881 — Text of the Temperance Bill. [ARTICLE]

Text of the Temperance Bill.

The following is a synopsis of the “Grand Temperance Council Localoption bill.” It is also known as the ’Harrington bill” and the “Shaffer bill:” Section 1 provides that it shall be unlawful to sell, barter oc give away intoxicating liquors in less quantities than one quart, or to be drank on or about the premises, without first having procured a license from the Board of County Commissioners. Section 2 defines intoxicating liq uors. Section 3 prescribes the manner cf procuring license. Thirty days’ no tice must be given by the applicant, by proper publication in the newspapers, or by posters in the precincts if there he no newspaper. He shall also procure to bis petition a major ity of the legal voters whose names are on the poll lists of the last gen eral election of the town, township or ward where he proposes to sell. The petition shall be tiled ten days before the regular meeting of the board. Section 4 requires the applicant for license tQ prove that the requisite number of signatures are signed thereto, and that each signature is genuine. Any citizen of the precinct may appear, without pleading, and oppose the granting of such license; r but whether there oe opposition or •

not, no license shall be grantee without legal Droof, and the board is re* quired to examine ths poll-lists >n determining the sufficiency of proof. Section 5 requires of the applicant ; for license a bond of $3,000, condition al that he will keep an ordei ly house, pay all fines and costs growing out of violence of this act, and all judgments for civil damages-growing out I of its provisions. Ssction 6 requires of the applicant to pay $250 Lefore the license is granted. Sections 7 and 8 fix the identity' of the person and place, and the length of time the license bolds—one year. Section 9 makes it a misdemeanor to sell on legal holidays, Sunday or election day, or between 10 o’clock p. m, and 5 o’clock a. in., and prescribes penalties of sls to SSO fine, and 10 to 30 days imprisonment. Section 10 prescribes a flue of sls to SSO. and imprisonment of 10 to 30 days for selling or giving awav to any person in ihe habit of becoming intoxicated, after due notice has been given in writing, or for selling to auy person who is intoxicated. Section 11 prescribes a penalty for public intoxication a fine of $2 to $5 for each offense. Section 12 prescribes a fine of SSO to SIOO and imprisonment of 30 days to six months for selling, bartering or giving away liquors without a license. Section 13 fixes the penalty for sell ing to minors at a fine of $25 to SIOO and imprisonment from 30 days to 6 months. Section 14 gives criminal and circuit courts jurisdiction to hear and determine complaints, and directs grand juries to take cognizance of offense, as in cases of felonies. Section 15 makes it the duty of all eity police officers, marshalsand con stables to see that saloons are closed during the specifiedd iys and hours when it is unlawful to sell; to file charges within 24 hours after arrest; and makes it n misdemeanor for such officer to fail to do so, for which he may be lined from $lO to SSO. Section 16 makes every dealer and his sureties liable for any' damage which may ariss from the sale of li puors oy such seller. Section 17 repeals all acts or parts of acts conflicting with this act. Section 18 declares an emergency i for the immediate taking effect of ; this act.