The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 228, 24 April 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1868.

The news brought by the two mails via Panama and Suez, though highly important in many respects, throwlittle light on the tangled web of European affairs generally. The rival powers, France and Prussia, though preparing for an encounter, rigorously maintain tho peace, and judging from tho somewhat bare telegrams to hand there seems to be no exciting cause to blow the embers of last year's discontent into a flame. That at no distant period these great nations will reopen old wounds, is almost certain, and when war follows it will be the greatest struggle of modern times. The Chas--sepot rifle and the needle gun will yet meet, and when they do the most murderous fields known in history will testify to the infernal ingenuity of their contrivers. Prussia has been sometime prepared for the strife, and Prance is now not only not behind but in advance of her. By latest accounts the latter power possesses an effective army of 800,000 men, in addition to which she can command 400,000 mobilised National Guards, who can be called out in time of Avar. The vast military expenditure in connection with this force, has been sanctioned by the Corps Legislatif, and France may now be said to possess an army of 1,260,000 men. Italy is quiet, the Cretan difficulty continues, Russia is intriguing as usual, Austria is repairing damages suffered now years ago, and nothing stirring comes from other quarters. In England the American difficulty in connection with the Alabama claims and American citizens, does not appear to have become more complicated, and there appears every reason to believe that, when once the Presidential chair, &c, is disposed of, an amicable settlement alike to the advantage of both nations and mortifica-

tion 01 tne Eeuniii organisation will be come to. No heavier misfortune than a war between these powers could befall either. General M'Clellan has been appointed minister in England in the place of Mr Adams, and those learned in portents say that it is indicative of an intention on the part of America to press matters to a hostile decision. This, however, is not at all probable. The impeachment of President Johnson is a striking feature in the news to hand, but no one dreams of its resulting in anything. In England, and in Ireland too, Eenianism has received its death-blow, or rather blows, in different ways. Irish juries have considered that Pigott and Sullivan, of the Irishman and Weekly News, have been guilty of sedition, and they are now expiating their offences in gaol. Other Fenian troubles have been put an end to, and the Clerkenwell plot, like the House of Detention, has been blown up —one ot the guilty parties having turned approver and furnished, as the telegram states, damning evidence. Whilst the rebel feeling has been thus repressed by force, moi"e powerful, more peaceful, and more permanent means of abating or removing Irish disaffection have been had recourse to. An Irish Reform Bill has been introduced, the downfall of the great grievance—the Irish State Church—is imminent, and tenant-right, in accordance with justice and fair dealing will, in all probability, be provided for at once. By amended legislation, by granting reforms that are urgeutly needed, and by conciliatory policy generally, Eenianism will quickly be extinguished in a manner satisfactory to all parties. It has been shown that the law can compel quiet, and this being the case, without any sacrifice of dignity on the part of the Legislature concessions can and will he made. As a matter of course there are those in the movement whom nothing will satisfy that England can grant, but if the body of the Irish people are contented, these firebrands will soon be qiienched, and peace and prosperity ensue. Altogether the news lately received, though not of a startling, is of a satisfactory character. Even that ill-starred Abyssinian expedition is getting better, though bad is the best, and some months may yet elapse before wo can hope to hear of the release of the captives, and the consequent return of the troops.

A new Goldfields' Licensing Bill to have operation in the Goldfields, already or hereafter to be proclaimed in the Province of Nelson, or within three miles of their boundaries, has been published, and will bo introduced this session. Many of the clauses are of course a repetition of those at present in force, but in addition, there are several new features, and as they are of material importance to a largo class, wo subjoin an abstract of the proposed measure. After the usual repeal clause, provision is made for dividing liceuses into three classes, to be entitled wholesale licenses, ordinary licenses, and accommodation licenses. The wholesale license is to authorise the sale of liquor in quantities of not less than two gallons, and the fee is fixed at £lO per annum. The ordinary license is like the present one, and the same sum, £3O yearly, and £l7 half-yearly is proposed. Accommodation licenses are similar to those at present issued gratuitously to ferrymen and others, at the discretion of a Resident Magistrate, but are to be

in force for six months only. Notice, as hitherto, prior to the issue of a license must be posted, and provision is also made for transfers at £1 for yearly, and 10s half-yearly licenses. No licenses are to be granted to spinsters, constables, or bailiffs, but this provision, as hitherto, can be evaded very easily, if the proscribed class are so inclined. Whether unprotected females without available husbands, can come under this clause, we cannot say, but if they do, a large falling off in revenue may be expected. For special permission to sell at racecourses, balls, &c, <£2 fee is proposed, and not more than sis of these are to be obtained by any license-holder in a year. The term that a license-holder may absent himself from his house is set down at seven days. The latest time of keeping open is eleven o'clock on working days, and on Sunday between 1 o'ocloek and 7 p.m. as at present. The usual provisions as to constables, gambling, posting licenses, lamps, and pledges for unpaid liquor follow next. The license of an habitual drunkard, one convicted of any infamous crime or of persons committing three offences against the Act, may be cancelled by the Resident Magistrate. The clause for selling without license provides the usual penalty of £SO and confiscation of liquors, and those liable are those who

" not being duly licensed, shall sell or expose, or keep for sale any spirituous liquors, wine, ale,beer, or porter, or permit such liquors to be sold, or offered or exposed or kept for sale upon his house or premises." The lowest fine for any offence against the Act is set down at £2, the highest £2O. The clauses relating to drunkenness are novel in some respects. The penalty is fixed at, not less than 10s, nor more than 40s, the maximum amount of imprisonment in default being forty-eight hours. The following two clauses we quote entire. The first prohibits persons who have been three times convicted, from being supplied with liquor It runs as follows : —" If any person shall have been so convicted three times within the space of six calendar months, the Justice before whom such third conviction shall take place shall cause the name and description of such person to be forwarded to all holders of licenses under this Act in the neighborhood, together with a notice not to supply such person with spirituous liquors, wine, ale, beer, or porter, for a period of one year from the date of such notice." In connection with this the next clause says : Any person after receipt of such notice who shall within such period knowingly supply such person with any spirituous liquors, wine, ale, beer, or porter, shall, on conviction thereof, forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding five pounds." This will be a fresh step in the repression of drunkenness, but however desirable we question much whether it will be possible to carry it out. We would remind ©ur readers who are interested, that the above measure is merely proposed, and has yet to be discussed in the Provincial Council. Should the holders of licenses see any objection to the provisions, they have an opportunity of petitioning or taking other action they think necessary.