That the present law is ineffectual, cannot be doubted by those who
assert, that the quantity of spirits distilled has every year
increased; and there seems to remain, therefore, no other choice than
that of suffering this increase to proceed, or to endeavour to prevent
it by new regulations. The present law ought to be repealed, because
it is useless; but surely some other ought to supply its place, which
may be more easily enforced, and less violently opposed.
The bill now before us, my lords, will, in my opinion, answer all the
purposes of the last, without noise, and without disturbance. By
lessening the price of licenses, it will put a stop to clandestine
retail; and by raising that of the liquors, it will hinder the common
people from drinking them in their usual excess. Those who have
hitherto lost their reason and limbs twice a-day by their drunkenness,
will not be able, under the intended regulations, to commit the same
crime twice in a week; and as the temptation of cheapness will be
taken away, it may be hoped that the next generation will not fall
into the same vice.
Since, therefore, my lords, the arguments in favour of this bill are
at least plausible and specious; since the design appears to be worthy
of this assembly, and the method proposed such as may be hoped to
produce the effects which the projectors of the bill desire; and since
the opinions of this house are at least divided, and the other has
passed it almost without opposition, we ought at least, in my opinion,
not to reject it with precipitation, but to refer it to a committee,
that it may be fully considered; and those objections which cannot be
answered, removed by proper alterations.
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