The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-01-31
Ghe GRtelIigstrtsr,
PARTY PRoRLEMs IN oaIO.
Questions Upon Which the Republican
MnAt Decide.

EAAAL EAV4AEAa - 0AAANe
Questions Upon Which the Republican,
Must Decide.
COLUMBUS, January 2s,-The people Of
Ohio are, in the main, decidedly temper
anee people, and the Prohibition party
would have grown to far Crater proper
tons and gained a great many more votes
had not there been quiet expectation
that time might come when the reforms
or attempts at reform, hoped for might be
obtained through the Republican party.
Last winter form Of temperance leGlsla-
ton that has been growing for some
time as q compromise measure be-
tween parts Of the State where the
Prohibition element predominates and
where 1t does not, found itself
strong enough 10 make united move
ment upon the Legislature. A local option
bill was introduced by q member from a
country district, and q flood Of petitions
from all over the State poured into Oolum,,
bus. The moral streAgth that had created
and conducted the crusade-an Ohio
measure from the start-awoke and
brought all its weight to bear upon the
representatives Of the country districts
The pressure was sufficient TO carry the
bill through the House, and It was well on
its way in the Senate when the leaders OF
the Republican party came to the rescue
They urged and argued that the time Tor
experiments Of an uncertain character was
not ON the eve Of great Presidential
fight; that to pass such bill would be to
divide the State upon issues other than
political; that the saloon vote, the German
vote, and the floating vote would be lost !
that Ohio would go Democratic, and the
Nation be won for the Democratic candi'
date. These Arguments prevailed. The
bill was quietly lost sight Of, and the tenn
perance question did not enter into the
campaign OF 1880.
This winter the friends OF the measure
base new claim upon their semiagree'
ment that 1t should 20 over for the year.
They say that the arguments Of last sea
son are Of no avail now; that the danger
then promised has been averted, aud that
80 far as the fight OF 1881 can be involved,
they are willing to take the risk; and some
OF the most pronounced are willing that a
Democrat should be elected Governor,
rather than the law their constituents ask
for should be again ignored, There are in
the Legislature to-day a great many very
good Republicans who, for the sake Of the
party, would sgree that the bill should go
into a pigeon.hole, but who dare not al
low it TO 70 there, for the sake Of them.
selves. Counties like Lorain and Trum'
bull and Geauga are solidly Republican,
and even more aolidly determined that
law shall be passed that will allow them
to shut up the saloons In their own Coun'
ties, even though they cannot close those
Of Hamilton and Ouyahoga counties. The
representatives Of these people, therefore,
are under the orders Of those who elected
them, and who can elect them again.
They must not only vote for the measure,
but work for 1t with all the strength and
influence they poPsess. The local option
law is, therefore, a fOregone conclusion,
unless the Republican leaders can solve
the difficult enigma In some quiet way.
To pass such o law is full OF danger; 10 re.
fuse to pass 1t brings danger from another
source. On one hand is the Democratic
party, and on the other the Prohibition.
Two other measures brought before the
Legislature this Winter will also have an
important influence upon the result In
October next. The Pool bill, which absO.
lutely prevents the selling OF pools upon
anything within the State, has become a
law, despite the loud opposition Of the
gamblers, and the quiet and more re:
spectacle arguments OF the managers OF
racing associations. An attempt has been
made 10 pass Rp amendment allowing the
sale OF race pools under direction OF these
associations, but has met the DECIDED op.
position OF the professional pool men, who
see that such On amendment would take
from them very powerful ally In SO.
curing q repeal Of tho law by the next
Legislature. The other measure is
the new Sunday law, which expects
10 shut up all saloons, places oil amuSe'
ments and Sunday resorts, and TO prohibit
any labor whatever on Sunday. An i'm.
mense pressure has been brought against
the passage Of this law, but The Influences
that are aiding local option are also help
ing this bill In its journey through. the
Legislature. The Republicans, therefore,
WI have these three measures to defend
In the cat Tass Of the coming summer, II
they should not ali HaSs, enough has been
done and will be done to chow what Is
possible when the country influences
work against city influence In State legisla'
ton. The passage Of all three Of the laws
will give the Republicans few votes that
they have not. already had, but will take
from them great many votes that have
been with them during the three years
past. The Germans are, perhaps. more
opposed to the Sunday law than TO the
Local Option law, but have had no favor
for either. They have been with the Ohio
Republicans for some time, but can hardly
be safely counted upon this year. The
Republican leaders are facing all OF these
difficulties, and will do all they can to
keep the party line unbroken and to carry
the State. On the Democratic side there
Is much Joy, and open boasts are freely
made that The Republican Legislature Of
this year will give them q Democratic