The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1878-03-02
THE LOCAL OPTION QUESTION.

THE LOCAL OPTION QUESTION.
We have ever been, always hope to be, the adj
voeates Of temperance in all things; neither does
it require any argument to convince us of the
thousands of evils flowing from an undue and i'm
proper use of ardent spirits. What we most doubt
is the propriety of forced class legislation in
reference to matters of morality and temperance
Experiments have been tried regarding these things
over and over again in nearly all the States, and
it has been found, with very few exceptions, prob
ably, that they did not work satisfactorily.
Local option is question prominently be-
fore our Legislature, with probabilities of its be-
coming law, unless some of those advocating it
see fit to change their minds. We have looked at
this problem pretty closely and must say, a
measure now proposed, there are attached to it
features not eonsonant with what we deem sound
discretion. Itbegets unfairness by encouraging
Partially, allowing some to enjoy rights and priv
ileges which others cannot. Certain counties or
districts of the State where, under specific intu-
ences, citizens may vote for and secure local OPP
ton. WILL as has hitherto been the ease, here and
stampeding to patronize their border neighbors,
and local option or no local option, will secure
spirituOus liquors.
Then again it is an infringement upon the guar
anteed rights of others. Avery large class OF men,
long engaged and permanently established-their
whole capital invested-in what is termed the
'liquor business" or brewing of malt beverages,
must be broken up move with their means and
industries to some locality eOngenial to them and
their trade. In Baltimore and Baltimore county
alone there are, probably, thirty millions of dol
lars and thousands of industrious operatives in
terested and engaged in various branches of dis
tilling. Many of the prOprietors and their aids
are of the best, most enterpisng and useful eiti-
zens 1t will not do to ostracise and condemn
such people because of their occupation merely to
crafty a certain other class who choose to differ
from them.
There is too much philanthropy, too much brawl-
ing temperance and too much antagOnism in the
measure, adverse to common sense, to gain for it
auseful permanenee, saying nothing of its dele
teriousness to trade. If we must legislate upon
temperanee-and God grant all men and women
may become temperate in all things-let there be
such legislation as will strike deadly, effective
blow at once and for all time at the root of the
evil. Pass law with severe penalties prohibiting
the manufacture importation and sale of all kinds
of intoxicating drinks anywhere and everywhels
within the State. This would be the honest way
of securing temperance. Then we need have but
little use for temperance lecturers zealousy en-
gagged in that bene6cent cause. They could af-
ford to go elsewhere give their time, energies
tas se to- 9 SINS nS sc sSRge Ehs sang
modification, setting bad examples in backsliding
to others, even their own prOselites. We despise
hypocrisy in any shape. Let men so guard and
respect themselves, cultivate their moral attri-
butes and nobIer elements that under no circum-
stances can they consent to demean their GOdliks
nature. This done, in as much local option
never has, possibly never will, subdue intoxica.
ton, we feel there would supervene temperance
securing deeper, broader, more abiding confidence
-S
Rs~By statement made by Mr.. John CrOwther
Jr., Auditor of the accounts of Baltimore county
for the past two years, ii is that the financial
condition of the county is not so bad as some peO
pie would ike to make it appear, and if we are tC
believe figures it is not bad at all. The liabilite:
are shown to be SAL O459s while the assets, after
deducting some forty thousand dollars for errOne
Gus, are found to be $40 ,53O42, an Indebtedness
after the assets are all realized, of S5l5.56. But
the greater part of the assets in the shape Of
unpaid taxes, and many months must elapse be-
fore this money can be collected and applied to
the payment of the indebtedness. 1t would seen
now that the only mistake made by the late Board
of Commissioners was in its levying for too little
money, but that the Board did this for the pur-
pose of making political capital we do not for one
moment believe.