New-York tribune., 1873-05-24
PROHIBITION IN THE LEGISLATURE

Gov. Dix having returned to the Legislature
without his approval, the Local Option Prohi-
bition BILL the Assembly proposes to meet his
objections with an amendment. AS onglnahy
submitted to the Legislature, this bill PROVIDED
that the people of each town and city
in the State should decide for themselves this
question Shall the sale of Intoxicating liquors
be prohibited in this town7 At least this was
the substance of the proposition. 1t gave the
right of deciding this question to the people
who were directly interested In 1t. Inc prln-
ciple is an eminently sound one. 1t brings
the decision on matters of public debate down
to the source of public opinion. 1t prevents
the enactment of sumptuary laws whlch
cannot be enforced; and such law could
not be q dead letter in community which had
lust voted to put it on the statute book. just
such law had been promised to the Temper
ance party by the Republican party at its con-
yention last year. While the bill was pending,
some of the more advanced temperance advO-
Gates favored the introduction of clause
which should include ale and beer In
the list of beverages the sale Of
which might be prohibited by popular
vote. We do not know from whom
this suggestion originally came; it may have
been from members of the Legislature. AT
any rate, it was not acceptable to the mass of
the friends of temperance. who thought 1t
would endanger the more highly desired
clauses. if not the bill itself. But the ale and
beer clause was inserted by the Legislature,
and the bill was passed in that shape. There
were not wanting those who then de-
clared that this amendment was an
afterthought, and that it was designed
to kill the bill while it professed to
fulfill the promises made by the Republican
party, and so save the one hundred thousand
votes which the temperance organizations
claim to have. The Governor vetoed the bill
(chiefy on account of the ale and beer clause)
after keeping it in his possession several
days.
In his message, Gov. Dix objects to the
Local Option Prohibition bill because, as he
says, it virtually says to the people, II you
wish to prohibit the use of ardent spirits
within your municipal limits, you must also
prohibit ale, beer, and cider. Therefore, says
the Governor, if the people are not to be
allowed to except these lighter beverages
from prohibition, they shall not pro-
hibt anything. This is exactly the
effect which his veto has upon
the whole proposition; and this is the
result which was all along foreseen. To be
sure, there are more municipalities which
would favor the prescription of ardent spirits
alone than would vote for the prohibition OF
these liquors NTH ale beer, and cider. NO
body doubts the moral and constitutional right
Of any town to prohibit the sale OF the lighter
beverages. To give them that opportunity is
not, according to Gov. Dix, Objectionable In
itself, but inexpedient, as endangerlng
the broader {. proposition OF prohibition
of ardent spirits. The Legislature has passed
the bill with the debatable clause in it, There
ia little time left (now that the Governor has
delayed the bill some days) for new discussion
and amendment. But the Governor coolly
returns the bill to the Legislature, with the
remark that it does not fitly meet the case,
and that the next Legislature may do better
Meanwhile no portion Of this experiment can
be tried in the State. Is not half loaf better
than no bread
We are by no means disposed to sympathize
with the feeling of depression which the de-
feat of this bill has brought upon its friends.
The principle Of local option Is essentially
republican and sound; so far as the prohioi-
ton bill depends on the vitality of this prin-
ciple, 1t is safe, though its success may now
seem delayed. Nor can we join in the harSh
criticisms which have been leveled a'
Gov. Dix on account of his veto'
It is not fair to say, with Assemblyman
Lincoln. that "yirtue in attempting to haul
"down the flag of rum has been shot on the
"spot by John A. Dix" though that may DO
fine bit of rhetoric. The Governor Is actuateu
by an honest desire to serve the people OF the
- fphara may he "A fallacy