PUBLIC

HOUSE  , in its general English acceptation, a house in respect of which a licence has been obtained for the consumption of intoxicating liquors . Public houses are frequently distinguished as "tied" and "free." A tied house is one rented from a person or firm from whom the tenant is compelled to purchase liquors or other commodities to be consumed therein . A free house has no such covenant . The keepers of public houses (" publicans " or " licensed victuallers ") are subject, in the conduct of their business, to a number of restrictions laid down by various acts of parliament; while, in order to ply their trade, they require a justices' licence and an excise licence . (See LIQUOR LAWS; TEMPERANCE.) By the Parliamentary Elections Act (1853) a public house must not be used for elections, meetings or committee rooms . By the Payment of Wages in Public Houses Prohibition Act (1883) it is illegal to pay wages to any workman in a public house, except such wages as are paid by the resident owner or occupier . By the Sheriffs Act (1887) when a debtor is arrested he must not be taken to a public house without his free consent, nor must he be charged with any sum for liquor or food, except what he freely asks for .