The bases of the temperance reform: an exposition and appeal./ With replies to numerous objections. By Rev. Dawson Burns.

linjury froit Circutlatioiz of Alcoholic liquzors. 15
the licensed vendors derive all their profits frcmi the
extent of their sales, it is also found that the legal c')nltrol
claimed is mostly nominal, and that the evils which that
control is intended to avert flourish with fatal luxuriance
wherever the traffic is allowed. As public circulation of
the drinks is the means of private profit, the circulation
is cultivated by the vendor at all risks and consequences
to society; nor need this conduct excite surprise. It is
too much to expect that the dealer in strong drinks, who
makes money by provoking and gratifying an appetite for
them, should be solicitous to curb the appetite or refuse
to satisfy its demands. By a fiction of law he is supposed
to be able and willing to solve the problem-how he shall
traffic in intoxicating drink, and not assist in creating
and confirming the love for such drink; but it is a problem which he could not solve, however willing; and,
being neither able nor willing, the ruinous results are
visible on every hand. The traffic in alcoholic liquors
has confessedly become a system of solicitation and
seduction to drinking, issuing in the formation and
strengthening of tastes, habits, and customs, destructive
to health, morals, and the social good.* The circulation
of intoxicating liquors is also greatly favored by many
trade usages and convivial customs; by free gifts of liquor
to servants and others; by the festal, hospitable, and dietetic exhibition and and recommendation of drink; by
licensed to sell the same, or at any place where a person is not authorized by
his license to sell the same, are a sum not exceeding ~50, or imprisonment
with or without hard labor for a term not exceeding one month; for a second
offence, a sum not exceeding ~soo, or imprisonment with or without hard
labor for a term not exceeding three months; for a third offence, a similar
fine, or imprisonment with or without hard labor for a term not exceeding
six mnonths, and the offender may be disqualified for ever holding a license.
If a license-hiolder, he shall forfeit his license on a second conviction; and, in
the case of any conviction, all liquor found on the offender's premises may be
forfeited.
* See Appendix D.