The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-09-06
EVANSVILLE, Sept. 4, 1856

IINANSN LILLE, Cept. L, 1OOO.
MEssEs. PHI. DECKER, c. SoHmTT, WM. GRAMM
AND OTHERS:
Genatleuen--With pleasure hasten to reply
to your favor of yesterday, requesting an ex-
preston ofmy views as to the course proper
for me to pursue on the liquor question, and
on the subject of Prohibitory Law, if elected
to represent this. county in the next Legsla-
ture.
On these questions as we'll as on all others
of public interest, there is fixed and unchang-
ing principle which would govern me as your
Legislative representative That principle is
simply that the representative is bound to obey
the will Of his co nstituents, so far as he be-
comes acquainted with that will When a
representative cannot conscentiously do this
he should resign his seat. TO this principle
most heartily subscribe.
Nv own mind is satisfied that there is a
majority of the voters of Vanderburgh county
who are opposed to the passage Of another Pro-
hibitory Law. Believing this, | shall, ifelect-
ed, adhere to the principle above laid down,
and shall oppose the passage of any such law
with such abilities as | may have.
do not believe that either Of the political
parties in mass, in this county, are in favor
of a continuation of the present system OF
free whiskey, but l believe they, all the people
at large, of all parties, wish the sale ofintoxi-
eating drinks restricted within some reason
able bounds, and regulated by law. believe
too, that the people of this county in regula-
ting the liquor traffic by law, would prefer
that in any license, or other system, which
may be adopted, a distinction should be made
between spirituous liquors and the lighter
drinks say beer, wine and cider.
The Supreme Court has decided the Prohib-
itoIy Law Of the last session unconstitutional
so far as manufac turing and the wholesale
traffic, and search and seizure, are concerned
The decision of that court settles those ques-
tons as to any new law as we'll as to the old
one, as | understand the decision. The only
question in the Legislature now left by the Su-
preme Court on the subject is, as to how fax
the retail trade shall be restricted. On this
question, as on all others of general interest
1 shall, if elected, be governed by what 1 be-
ieve to be the will of the majority of my con-
{ stituents, and l shall take pains to ascertain
from men of all parties and interests what
that win is. Whatever my own private views
as to the degree of legal restriction which
should be placed upon the liquor traffic, not
my own views, but those of my constituents,
whenever known, would govern me as a legs-
lator | am the more free TO make these avow-
ais as I have not sought the nomination to this
or any other Office but on the other hand the
nomination has been forced upon me.
l will add that recognize it to be the fun
damental principle Of this government, State
aud national, that the will of the majority
shall govern, and that the Legislative repre-
sentative shall obey that will. The danger Of
violating this principle was never better exem-
plified than in the case of the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise. The great majority of
the people were opposed to the repeal ma
Sjority Of their representatives in Congress mis-
representing their constituents passed the re-
peal; the result is known to us all.
am, gentlemen. yours veryatruly,
JOHN INGLE, JR.