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ook, that we should not spend a qwtor of B century on any
one lam, unless, perhaps, we are perfectly assured of the
BUCCB~S of that law when passed. It would not be difficult to
point out certain definite principles which should guide a wise
reforming legislator in tho selection of the hwe he should
advocate. Solon, when asked whether he had given the
Athenians the best lams he could devise, replied: Ay, the
best laws that they could receive." Bo haa often been
blamed, but the progress of Sociology is establishing his
wisdom. We now know that laws are not good or bad with
respect to any invariable standard, but in reference to the
changing clmracter of society and man. The successful
reformer is one mho sees for what Iegislativo change the
people are ripe, and concentrates tho popular energy upon it.
But the members of the Alliance aro wrong nt every point.
Thcy try to force upon tho country IL lam for which it is certainly
not ripe ; they absorb forces which might be most
usefully employed in immediate action upon a scheme which,
if carried at all, must Le R thing for the future. "hey &OW
that they muat educate the people for tho memure (this is
admitted by Mr. Steintkal and Mr. Hoyle), but they confuse
together the agitation and tho education. It is one thing to
edumto people for a fnture change of legislation ; it is another
thing to auk them to pam the law next year, and in the meantime
to look coldly upon all other projects of reform.
m.
There is no use attempting, at the end of this paper, to
discuss in detail the measures which will probably be passed
by the general consent of the community as soon as the
Permissive Bill ie out of the way. Were that Bill a forlorn
hope-the only meamre by which we could hope to repress
drunkenness-I should be among ita wannest advocates; but,
as a matter of fact, it stands in the way of some dozen mopable
and practicable proposals. The Sunday Closing Bill, if
passed, would probably decrease drunkenness by a fourth or
6ftb part, without interfering in any appreciable degree with