Tine ance i#, mn ote THE DAILY EXAMINER. L557. The Issue. Ihe ssut i the present contest is a simple The Seott Act has been treated with ntempt in Charlottetown; drunkenness abounds; and perjury is added allow. had he — was Liter and of both, Until complete prohibition obtained he would place restriction restriction around the permission to sel!, them so far as public opinion When complete prehibtion cor ld be ld gladly the con plete ; entores wotid wo welcome | restriction in place of the partial. The only } } eth ( tual part Ora Llcelhse law , 8O far a8 CheCK ing the evils of the traflic* were concerned, favor of the license law ; were the prohibitions that formed a part of 1. f liquor and a license was in this and As between free sale l stricted sale, hye aS bet ween aw or rt a prohibitory law, he was in favor ol the lat ter. How could prohibition become law ? Reason and experience alike taught us, }.aw is the esult of a process of crrowth, The tiuth must be sown inthe publi mind, it must ripen into senthnent; this entiment must become prea myMnant, and must then ex press itself in statutory enactment That is I the way in which we all laws In one sense vou can no more make alaw than you ean make a flower. Both must’ grow undei favorable maturing conditionsy So has it rislation } , been and must be in tempefance ik Every restriction which forms a part of Li nse 'laws was obtained in this . way. Local to the sin of the drunkard. This fact is | admitted, or at least not denied, by those | who still continue to advocate the retention of the Act fo continue its operation in | the future as it has been operated in the | past,is to perpetuate a fraud and to engen | der conte inpt for other laws. Now what vuarantee has the elector | that the law will be better respected or en- | forced than it has been None whatever The promoters of the Act, indeed, say that they will leave the working of the Act to | the officials! True, they say that the pre- | aent othe i ils ire to be di 34 h irged and otl ers But what contidence can _ be appointed. placed in the talk of men who lately per mitted two candidates, said to be largely interested in the liquor business, to be elected to the City Council without opposi- tion Actions speak louder than words. Can any reasonable man think, for a moment, that the ex perience of the future, as_ to the Scott Act, will be different from that of the past [f not, —the right, the honest,and the reasonable course to pursue is to repeal the cont erned Act, as far as Charl ttetown 18 But, it is argued, if we fall back upon the license laws, we shall be held respon sible for the drunkenness and misery which the licensed taverns produce. Let us_ not deceive ourselves lf we have the Scott Act, same principle,responsible for the drunken and will not enforce it, we are, on the ness, misery, perjury, sneaking, crime and death produced asa result of such non enforcement. We can't shake off our respon sibility by merely voting forthe Scott Act. — - eS. & -— ——_—_—_—-, Two of the Quebec Resolutions RESOLUTION number twelve is in favor abolishing the Legislative Council in the various Provinces where that branch of the How ( )pposi- Legislature is still in existence. will this resolution go down with the tion in this Province, nearly all of whom at the last Council election voted in favor of retaining it Resolution number one asks that the Do- of the power of disallowing provinéial legislation, be vested Now, Grit delegates may think about the power ernment be deprived minion Goy and that this power in the Im- perial Government. whatever the of disallowance, we believe that the people of Canada would not be willing to take away from their own Government the power of disallowance in order to give the British veto local legislation. additional For, Government power to are not their interests safer in the hands of a Govern- ment elected by themselves, than they would bein that of a Government over which they would have-no control / The people of this Island, especially, to the old ante- efforts to free have no desire to go back Confederation days, when themselves fromthe grinding tyranny of absentee landlordism treated were invariably with the greatest indifference, if not contempt, by the Downing Street. Imperial officials of They have only to go back to the date of how the Im- The jurisdiction of this Commission, it is true, who had agreed to it; but as soon as they found out the Land Commission to see perial authorities dealt with them. extended only to the iandlords the character of the award they raised objec- the influence which Colonial Office the was (lis- Thus, settle tions, and through at the Island they possessed Act of allowed ind like all other previous the land question, the Royal Land Commis- the Legislature the award set aside. attempts to sion ended in failure. Not till the year 1875, two years after we had the did Local Legislature in passing and entered Confederacy, our succeed getting sanctioned an Act that put an end {sland once to landlordism in this for all. The Compulsory Land Act was passed, and owing to the fact that we had become a part of the great Dominion of Canada, and no longer an isolated Province dealing directly with Downing Street, the yoke of landlord- ism was the neck of our If we had, at that time, to deal with the Imperial instead of the Federal there is little doubt but the Compulsory Land Act would that of all pre- vious endeavors to settle our land question. removed from long-suffering tenantry. Gov ernment, have met a similar fate to ~~ <_< — _ Mr. Foster on Prohibitien. Ture Hon. George Foster is generally re- garded as the movement throughout Canada ; is not in the country atruer or an abler temperance man. the calumny of some violent and A short ineeting at leader of the Temperance and there But he has not escaped impru- dent prohibitionists. time ago he addresssed a Napanee, and after giving an of the rise and progress of the temper- ance movement he the tion of and is reported to have said: interesting account discussed ques- Prohibition - ** One says, 1 am conscientiously opposed to the principle of prohibition but I believe in license laws; another declares himself a Brehibitionist but uneompromisingly oppcese | § license laws. He; thp speaker, w a8 in favor way, Prohibi obtained in option was obtained in this tion in other countries has been no other way, nor will it be in Canada. When the conviction of the majority ripens into th belief that a pro ul! itory law is necessary for this country, and sends its delegates commis sioned with such mandate to the halls of liament, then, and not till then, will {t is the part of intelligent: tem to seatter wide the truth m pair | I prohibi tion come peranc e wol ket s the public mind, to carefully promote ite growth and to train it to’a’ consistent ex sion atthe polls until its delegated yoice is strong enough to secure and sufficient to en force prohibition, When inany county t x done license laws will pass away, anid pro tion will reign in the state as weil as in the statute.” Certainly nothing against prohibition these remarks ; Yet they-are can be found jn are eminently reasonable. W idely circulated slander the basis of a to the effeet that Mr. Foster has weakened in his advocacy of prohibition as a result of the demoralizing influences of-: office. worst of it is that the slander has been dis- seminated by te inperance men and women. The Bishops Views. Srr,—-It has been canvassed against the Scott Act that those persons who are. in- terested in retaining the Act were carrying contest without any reference to their Roman Catholic fellow-citizens,'.and in Opposition to the views and wishes of His Lordship Bishop MclIntyre. Both statements are absolutely untrue. From temperance supporters lave solicited the svypport and co-operation -of the large body of Roman Catholics wh» are known to bein full sympathy with the temperance cause. With regard to. the latter statement, the accompanying le tter, which His Lordship has kindly permitted to be published; will show clearly that he mn the the outset the perance in this important issue T. C. JaAMeEs, Secretary Ch'town, Nog. 21, CHARLOTTETOWN, Nov. 19, 1887. T. C. James, Esa. , Charlottetown. My Dear Si In reply to your letter of this day’s date, asking me if I would receive a visit of a Temperance Committee to-day, 1 have to inform you that, although my sympa- thies are in full -with the temperance people and their cause, I do not intend interfering in any way in the election that will come off on the 24th inst. l remain, my dear sir, Faithfully yours, + Perer McINTYRE, Bishop of Charlottetown. 1837. Signed) A Merchants Views. | observe that the Daily Patriot ** twits me” for complaining in my Jast letter ‘* of those’who write over annoymous signatures” when | do thesame SIR, editor of the myself. I can explain why I have done so on this occasion. Ihave written a good many letters over my own signature on public and political subjects during the past decade.”’ I court fair editorial criticism, or that by a writer over his Own name ; but J cannot stand being ** pounced upon,” pos- sibly by » put up blackguard, who assails me over an ‘anonymous signature, and can find ready access to the columns of the Patriot. When a man writes over his own signature, common decency would dictate that he should be treated with respect, more especially if he has oeeupied high positions and is in the decline of life. To come back to the Scott Act three parties may, 1 think, be fairly considered as running the liquor traffic, viz., the Do- minion Government, the wholesale dealers and the illicit vendors. I will consider them co-partners in the business. The Dominion Government are the principals in the firm and rake thelion’s shareof the spoil into the public chest. But they say to their ‘* partners’; ‘* You will have to run the business on the sly. We. will ‘supply the liquor to your Provinee, but at the same time we have an Act on the Statute Book which says it sha]] not be sold. You will have to take all the risks, and be subject.to the penalties if you are caught!” In my tirst letter I said that | was not writing as a politician, and I think it ‘but fair to say that the present Government are only doing the same as their predecessors did by ob- taining all they can out of the liquor traffic. Scott Act men urge that it is more diffi- cult to obtain liquor in the country, towns, and villages, than under the license system, and consequently there is less drunkenness. They take credit for the suppression of taverns in the country. They say their aim is ** total prohibition; but as the Gov- ernment cannot run the ‘‘Ship of State”’ without the revenues derived from liquors, the Scott Act ‘is better than nothing. They look upon it as the means to. an end, and as merely inserting the end of the wedge. , i think these are fallacious notions. I am not one of your _ fire-side writers who lancy the Scott Act 1s doing good. | knock about a good deal in the prosecution of amy and can write from observation, That the country taverns and licensed store grog- geries have been suppressed in the country, | am free to admit. But it was’ not the Seott Act that did it’; it was the admirable ** Bell Act” that did the work. Under this Act *‘ no tavern or storé groggery.”’ could be rub consent of atwo thirds majority of the respective school districts. When the Scott and they LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. is in full sympathy with the friends of tem- | | could afiord to fenncted in the towns and the number of taverns limited—every tavern to have suflicient accommodation. for boarding “onan and horse ('.e cellar taverns and the : os would alinost. disappear ; The i least business | place ? i im the country without the THE DAILY EXAMINER, - -, - - Act came into operation two thirds of the | ete., had been suppressed. | am perfyetly willing te admit that the Seott Act completed the work. There is still a lot of ligaor sold in the country. ~But it is on the sly,an ithe Seott Act 1s powerless to | stop it. | I cannot for the life of me fancy a better system than that given us by the ** Bell Act ;” so‘long as the admisstom -of -strong drinks into the country is legal. Now, supposing we could get ‘‘ total prohibition, which the Scott Act men admit is not attainable at present, it would certainly be a strong and = straightforward atte mpt to banish the liquor tratlie. It is housense to say that the Government could Laverps, not make up for the loss of revenue on liquor. They ean do it by putting a high duty on tea and on some other necessaries of life wlneh the peuple could well atford to bear it they were compelled to give up strong drinks, Let us see how it would vovk in our Island Province. The pragjts to be made by snuggling would be enor- and the coast facilities for smuggling wre Very great. Then again, at the cost of $200 or less, a man could set up “a still” xls or in a swamp, and if he could run it for a couple of months he But stall, total mious ih the \W Ae LW i0se it, prohibition would be fairly grappling with Lhe liquor traflic, ahich the Seott Act does I come now to consider the ‘* License Sys- tem.”” As a practical man | am constrained bu say it is tue best ‘Tf the Bell Act were re-enacted.” the country school districts" could deal with taverns. It is more diffi- cult to deal with towns and centres of dis- tribution, But ifa high license duty. was the city | derive a good revenue {from licenses. - The disgraceful exhibitions and alleged false swearing at the police court be done away with; and. last—perhaps. not the Jsland Guardian, the Patriot and the clergy could reat in quietness for three years, with the consciousness that they had done their duty according to their lights. MERCHANT. Ch’town, 2Ist Nov: 1887. a The Seott Act. Sig,-—ince the date of election for the repeal of the Scott Act was announced, we have been favored with the opinions of editors and clergymen on the question, and several correspondents have also taken the matterup. Weare pleased to see THE EXAMINER, in the interest of temperance and for the good of the community, ably advocating the repeal of the Scott Act. The Guardian and rey. gentleman opposing the repeal make use of the most intemperate and extravagant language in discussing this matter. Judging from Rev, Mr. Whit- man’s sermon, a summary of which recently appeared in your columus, he, at least, has viewed the question from an unbiased standpoint; and when he informed his congregation that the Scott Act was tested long enough to prove its usefulness, and strongly adyised the obtaining of seme other law that whould better restrict the evils of intemperance, the rey. gentleman was, | feel sure, giving expression to his honest convictions. Those who Seott Act attempt urge a continuance of the to deceive the public with misleading figures as to the quantity of liquor consumed since ‘the Act became law, desiring to make’ it appearthat the consumption is less annually than prior to its adoption. I have already shown that correct figures of the number of gallons of spirituous liquors imported could” not now be obtained at our “Custom House, owing tu the fact that large quantities are brought here duty paid from Halifax, St. John, Montreal and other places, and of which no entry was required to be made at our Custom House..Many temperance advocates themselves ought to he aware that this has been done. It is unlawful and injudicious, of course, fora certain class to purchase ale, porter, “or liquors of any kind in Charlottetown ; but supplies of this nature can be conveniently ordered, duty paid, from either of the places named, and the ‘ taken charge of by the consignee as soon as they arrive, without the shghtest interference on the part of Customs officials, Onarrival of the steamer M. A. Starr from Halifax, it is not unusual to see a large portion of the wharf’ covered with casks and cases of liquor and ale im- ported in the aanner described. « There- fore, such statements as have been referred to should, in the words of a ** No Repeal ws manifesto, be branded ** unmitigated lies.” Previous to last election, an excitement existed similar to that which has prevailed for the past few weeks. Impressive ser- mons and speeches were delivered, many prosecutions were brought on,, the choicest campaign literature was circulated ; and the friends of the Act, not feeling »cunfi- dent of theimuwn ability to convince their hearers, iv:portéd atr ‘orator | from New Brunswick’ to enlighten tlie electors and assist the cause. We were then assured that if the Ac. was re-adupted it would be mast stringently enforced, that every place where liquor was sold. would be ** wiped ” ods - as out” in a short time, «and that we would become a prosperous and happy community. But whatedo we tind! For the three months immediately following: the election Only three proseeutions were instituted, and we have ever since been ‘* going from bad to worse.” Instead of suppressing the liquor saloons in existence at that time, the number has been more than’ dvubled, and we now find ourselves in a worse position, as regards liquor selling, than at any time in the history of the city. What guarantee have we that the same order of business will nut be adhered to,. under the Scott Act, for the time to come. None «what- ever, Every.impartial man must admit that this law lias not proliibited,. restricted nor curtailed the traflic in” intoxicating l.quo s among t us, but th: t the traftic has largely expanded ‘since its Operation. If the Scott Act is repéaled on the 24th what do we propose to have in its in answering. this question the ‘‘tree rum” phantom” will not be noticed, but arguments will be advanced showing the must practical way of dealing with, the evils of intemperance. Yours, &c., PRMPERANCE. inst., November 21, 1887. aS Tye great sale of dey goods is now going on at Je}iys Paton & Co. 5 noy_ 21, tf + he oe - MONDAY. NOVEMBER 21. 1887. REAT DRY GOODS SALE —— ee ———— STANLEY BROTHERS’ We don't believe in Clearance Sales at this busy season of the year; its not business and its not right... But to meet those who have started it, we will offer our whole stock at Large Reductions for Cash, as we are bound not to be undersold. Our Goods are all maked in plain figures, so that you can see for yourselves the regular price and the marked down price. This isa bona fide Clearance Sale. Come and get Bargains. ANY GOODS THAT ARE CHARGED MUST BE ENTERED AT THE REGULAR PRICE. STANLEY BROS, ”) am ANNOUNCE MENT. Ch’town, November 21, 1887. ROS ae ECE RC ON SN a a GREAT DRY GOODS SALE. . —— ee me el )——- - — -——- BIC bDisSCoo Va TREMENDOUS STOCK. 2.) — J’ B. MACDONALD will offer his entire stock of Dry Goods and Clothing at a Great Sacrifice, bound not tobe undersold by any house in the trade, Come right along: you will find that no one can_ attempt to undersell us, GREAT DRY GOODS SALE. a —O--— — E’orced to throw our stock away, to do it } Where are always a firm or two in a city who beheve in ruining trade by advertising big discounts. iivery ore knows by this time, it is the biggest farce that ever was paraded before the publie; looking at it from a business stand point, there is no sense, business, or anything else in it. But, since it is the case, we can afford to throw away our profits, and more, too. in order to show those people we will not let our customers go. Our whole stock will be marked down so low that we defy competition. Big discounts on every line of goods. ‘Thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of Clothing and Dry Goods. We care not whether you believe our advertisement or not, as long as you come) and see prices. We mean what we say. This Sale for CASH ONLY. lL; S Fre WSs; SIGN OF THE BIG HAT, 74 QUEEN STREKRT. Ch’town, Nov. 27T.-1887. and we are going Ch’town, Nov. 21, GREAT DRY GOODS SALE AND OPENING OF THE WINTER | CAMPAIGN. We find our premises are at present entirely too smnall for our increasing trade, and contemplate adding io the rear of our large store a two-storey brick building. in order to do this it is not necessary to advertise such enormous discounts off our already very Low Prices, as the public are well aware that our prices are away below those who are continually advertising 20, aOand 40 per cent discount. r - . wa aa — ai . ‘. We guarantee as much Dry Goods for one dollar as : any store in the city. TT st JAMES PATON & 1887, CO. Ch'town, Nov. 19, 1887