The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-05-24
The Local Option Law In New YORK
Ia Veto OF Governor DIX.

The veto by Governor Dix, OF New
York, Of the local option bill, which
was recently passed by the Legislature
of that State, was not unanticipated,
and its friends were therefore prepared
for the message. The bill proposed to
allow each community to decide by a
vote Of the people whether, within their
respective bounds, the traffic in liquor
should or should not he licensed. Gov.
Dix in his message says:
"No one can be more anxious than
myself to repress. by all just and Ell"
fectual measures OF legislation, the evils
of intemperance-the undoubted source
of four-fifths of all the crime, pauper-
ism and domestic misery in the State,
and I would not willin ely throw any
impeachment in the way Of the praise
worthy efforts which the friends OF hui
mainly and good government are max
ing for the purpose of remedying these
evils"
The chief objection to the bill, how
ever, he says, is:
at leaves to the people Of the sever,
al cities and towns only partial and
restricted option in deciding what it
shall be lawful for them to drink
within their respective municipal limits.
1t compels them to prohibit absolutely
or virtually to accept, by declining to
prohibit, every beverage which can by
q possibility intoxicate. Itpermits them
to express their wishes on single pro-
position, but precludes such expression
on any other. 1t Gays to them in SUBJ
stance, if you wish to prohibit the use
of ardent spirits within your limits,you
must prohibit ale, beer and cider also,
for these have, by decision OF the
Court OF Appeals, been classed with in
toxicating liquors. If, on the other
hand, you wish the inhabitants OF your
!, town or city to have the privilege OF
drinking beer or cider, you cannot have
it unless you make the use of ardent
spirits equally free from restriction.
You must prohibit all or none. You
cannot have the one without the other.
The Governor then adds
There may be, and undoubtedly are,
communities in which a strong desire
prevails to Danish spirituous liquors, the
Incorporate use of which is the source
of 60 much vice ard poverty, audin which
the desire is equally strong TO have the
use of lighter beverages unrestricted.
In order to carry out the first-named
wish under this bill they must re
nounce the latter; or if they carry out
the latter they must renouuce the
former. The bill, therefore, while pro-
Tossing to leave the people the largest
liberty 10 this respect restricts them to
the narrowest. They are not permitted
to have choice as to what beverages
it shall be lawful to use within the re-
spective boundaries. The bill is framed
in the interest of restriction, and not OF
freedom OF choice. | deem this mar
row view Of the subject exceedingly I'M
wise. A wide difference OF opinion
prevails among the people OF the State
in regard to the propriety OF distln-
gushing between ardent spirits and the
lighter beverages, some of which do
not intoxicate unless taken IN uncom-
Portable quantities, and which, in
countries where they are in general
use, have proved restraint upon the
consumption of spirituous liquors, and,
to great extent, safeguard against
the prevalence OF intemperance. do
not assume 10 decide which class o!
thinkers may be on the right side
of the question, but just tolerstlon OF
the freedom OF opinion ought to restrain
the advocates OF either from attempting
to maintain their position by compul-
sion.
After referring to other Objectionable
features OF the bill, involving restric-
lions upon those authorized to deal In
LIQUOR, Gov. Dix concludes by saying
that no great inconvenience can posi-
bly, be caused by Withholding his ap-
prevail of the measure, as it could not
have gone into operation until thirty
DAYS after the November election, one
month before the sitting of the next
Legislature. There is even now time
to frame a new bill eliminated of the
defects OF this one. Or, if the subject
shall 60 over to the next Legislature
the people of the State will have time
70 rive II their mature consideration
and elect their representatives in refer
enCe to it.