The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-08

highly appreciated, and that while his
change to the Marshalship is not opposed
by that department OF the public service,
ys! its Leading officers regard his continu.
ence in their department as something to
be desired, for as his record shows he has
douo valuable as well as trying and dan.
eerOus service for that branch Of the Gov.
eminent.
WE publish some reflections to-day on
tie proposed constitutional amendment,
in the shape OF a communication signed
"SeysrNl Citizens" This communication
answers itself in one or two aspects. II
the public sentiment reflected by the peti.
tons which have been sent I'M to the Leg.
stature Ia q very limited public sentiment
the voice Of mere meagre minority
then Of course an amendment 10 the con.
suIution In conformity thereto Is doomed
to defeat from the outset, and no one need
have any apprehensions as to the result Of
its submission. II, on the other hand, the
proposed amendment represents some.
thing mOre-a good deal more-than q
meagre public sentiment, then Is It not
entitled to DO heard and respected by
tho Legislature, 30 far as submis.
sion to the people Of the question
involved Is concerned. The fact re-.
ierred to by us land we understand It
to DO iaCt) that about one'halt OF the
counties Of the State have refused TO grant
license 10 sell intoxicating beverages, goes
to show that there Is at least decided
minority sentiment in the State favorable
to some restriction Of the liquor traffic.
We do not undertake to say what sort Of
restrictions this public sentiment would
impose on the traffic II II could be consult.
cd. II might indorse the full measure OF
the proposed amendment, or It might de-.
mand a modification Of that amendment
II may be unwlse for Prohibitionists TO
rest their case on measure 80 sweeping.
Some there be, says an old English pro-
verb, "who will travel to Slough, who will
not proceed to Horn.slough." There are
those who would favor radical legislation
in regard to Alcoholic beverages who
would not favor 1t in regard to malt bever.
ages. There is a recognized difference in
the public mind between the two, and this
recognized difference might produce a
very different result at the polls as be.
tween an amendment that took cogni.
zanCo Of /. and one that did not. sss
The Legislature may not feel at liberty
TO submit the question in any other shape
than the one prayed for In the petitions
sent In. Some Of the members may be
even mere willing to submit It ID that
shape than in any other, believing that
Its adoption would be less likely In that
shape. On the other hand, sincere friends
Of alcoholic suppression may call for a
division Of the question presented by the
amendment. It Is certain that there is a
divided sentiment both in,the Legislature
and among voters on the question.
As to the general merits Of the case
presenledl in the communication signed
Several Citizens" II Is not necessary for
us to say much. 1t is a we'll recognized
fact that the liquor traffic Is an evil Of i'm.
mense and increasing proportions. 1tisau
evil not 10 be encouraged but to be dealt
with reslrictively. Our own opinion is
that II should be dealt with wisely and
practically. 1t does not stand on the same
level with general business but Is entirely
different In its nature and effects, and is to
be 30 regarded by all statesmen called 10
grapple with as one Of the problems Of
lineage In (which we live. As showing thatit
is regarded as a problem TO be dealt with,
we may reier to remarkable article that
appeared In the London Telegraph a few
weeks ago. For the better understanding
olthe issue raised in this State by the pro.
posed amendment, We may be permitted
to quote this article from the TtsUaph in
this connection. No doubt IL will be- read
with interest II not with edlfcAtion by
members Of the Legislature at this time,
1t las follows:
From the London Telegraph.
For many centuries past the children oi
Teut have endured with placid equNnim.
ity the SCOTS and jeets Of theit nefghboFs,
whether Of Latin or savoniC extraction
aimed at their beet.dtinking pfocllyities
lor they were hitherto comfortably con
Vlnced that the assiduous consumption oil
malt liquor was by no means incompatI
Ole with a high standard Of national 40.
Driety, On the other hand, among cont,
mental critics oil British manners and Gus
toms, none have more bitterly OF persist
Il = 4 ~