34 Ga. 455 | Ga. | 1866
This was an indictment under the Act of November, 1862, “ to prevent the unnecessary consumption of grain by distillers and manufacturers of spirituous liquors in Georgia; ” and the question is, whether, under that Act, the distillation of sugar cane seed, (or millet) into spirituous liquors is illegal. The Act says, it shall not be lawful for any person, in
It is insisted, however, by counsel for plaintiff in error, that the words “other grain” are “too loose” to embrace more than “ corn, wheat, and rye; or, at most, such grains as were at the time of its adoption, commonly raised and used by the people, for bread, and for the purpose of distillation; and the Act, 14 Geo., II, c. 6, 1 Bl. Com. 88 is referred to, in which “ stealing sheep, or other cattle,” was made felony without benefit of clergy. But these general words, “ or other cattle,” being looked upon as much too loose to create a capital offence, the Act was held to extend to nothing but sheep. This was well enough, perhaps, in cases made capital by statute, and was in accordance with the spirit of the age. But I apprehend a different rule obtains now. In Hall vs. the State, 3 Ga. Rep., 22, Judge Warner, quoting from C. J. Marshall, in the case of United States vs. Wiltberger, 5 Whea. Rep. 76, says: “ That although penal laws are to be
Judgment affirmed.