The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-04-08

Local Option.

was somewhat surprised at the position as
s s,i BY the Hon 4. +, Bayard in a letter pub
In reference To Local Option laws. Although he
occupies very exalted position in the estimation
OF the people, land deservedly So, with reputa-
tlun as extensive as the extreme bOu:. diaries of
tine country, yet L propose to criticize the views
promulgated in that letter, Notwithstanding the
elevated source from which they emanatc.
he starts out by saying he does not like to in
trude his opinions on the members of the legjs-
lature yet his letter is published at the very time
the question Is under discussion in the Iegisla-
ture of his State and its influence most potent =
He tells us Local Option laws of doubtful con-
sututionality, and positively inexpcdtent. So
far as the state OF Maryland is concerned, il the
decisions or the Court of Appeals are entitled to
to the matter. think their decisions on more
than one occasion have sustained prOhibitory
laws. One notable instance under the OBSERVE
ton Of the entire population of the state, is the
prohibition of liquor election day; and IL il Is
legal to prohibit on one day, do not think Mr.
any other days And inasmuch as he has always
been an advocate of State rights, it would he in
consistent to ignore the decisions of the highest
of expediency, that is mere matter OF opinion
governed entirely by circumstances. A midnight
robber In order to escape might consider it expe-
dlent TO assinate any one attempting to arrest
him; consequently neither expediency or mex
pedtency are infalIible. He tells us that submit
ting those things to popular vote defeats the
principle OF ourgovernment which is representa-
tive in Its character. Who they represent? Is
the instructions of those whose agents they are
when those instructions do not violate the con-
stitution? This is one of the old landmarks of
the Democratic party. and heretofore Mr.. Bayard
has been sound on this question: but wandering
now. In connection he inserts n Hypothetical
proposition as follows: If punishment of crini-
nails was to be adjudged and inflicted by Local
OPTION, NC. have never understood that it ever
had or contemplated TO interfere with the cxeclI-
tive or the Judicial power of the State for the
simple reason that ii would be unconstitutional.
Therefore the hypothesis reminds me of setting
up II man of straw for the purpose of knocking it
| down. He tells us no man has grea Ter horror Of
| intemperance than himself, and it is morbid
| physical fact. The remedy he proposes il a we'll
regulated system of licenses, whereby revenue Is
largely brought into the treasury consequently
! the treasury is augmented by the misfortuncs of
! the people. law having that effect is contrary
to the spirit of our institutions, and approaches
! nearer TO sumptuary act than law of prohibi-
ton. He also tells us If open drinking is stopped
secret drinking ensueS. If theft is considered an
evil in the community will the people be deferred
| from imposing penalties from the fear that il
will be committed socretlye hope our friend Mr.
Bayard will not wander from our pasture field
and leave the flock without bell wether He
| has always advocated the doctrine that this is
| government by the people and for the people,
therefore the people have right in their primary
capacity To instruct their representatives in rcla-
tion to any public measure, provided it does not
infringe on my vested right, or violate the cove
| nants of the constitution. | have no object in
view, except the vindcaton of the people rights
| whether for or against Local Option. IvrRos