Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-11-04
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.
tClncinnati Gazette


majority In both branches OF the Lcgisla-
ture, cannot, II Il would, escape responsi.
bility for all ncts, whether Of omission or
commission. Into the late campaign.
which resulted IN such decided victory
for the Republican party, the temperance
question entered largely. II was, in fact,
the only live and positive Issue In the con-
test, aud II was made so chiehy--or,ot least.
largely--by the course of the extreme
liquor men, on one hand, and extreme temp
erance men on the other. Very few Of the
Republicans elected To the Legislature are
under obligations 10 either faction. In fact
the great mass OF the Republicans were
elected in spite Of faction, and as repre-.
sentaiives OF the great mass Of the party.
This body OF voters expects practical leg
islntion on the liquor question, and their
wishes cannot he ignored without bringing
disaster upon the party. The State has
been too long cursed with free trnde in
| liquors, while pages on the statute books
are filled with rubbish called prohibitory
| legislation. Sentimental lists may take com
| fort from these dead enactments, but prac.
| tical people are tired OF the foolishness,
| and want repressive measures that will
check the evils resulting from the traffic
IN intoxicating liquors. This is the mean
| ing of the late election. 1t is the voice of
an overwhelming majority Of the people Of
Ohio and the time 10 heed this expression
has fully come.
The first step in responding to the in.
structions communicated through the bal
lot box should be the enactment of what
10 known as the Pond Ia x bill making man
datory tax on all retuil establishments in
the State without exception or discrimnp-
tion. All saloons, or bars, or places where
liquors are sold should be placed on an
equal footing, whether they deal in distilled
liquors or beer, or wine, and the minimum
tax should not be less than 5000. That
would afford n large revenue, while, at the
same time, it would diminish the number
of saloons. 1t would in this city wipe out
at least one,third of the very worst, while
il would produce n revenue of 100000 or
100000 annually. This would be salts
factory to a majority Of those engaged in
the business, especially il the rubbish now
on the statute books which is practically
worthless should be repealed. We place
this measure first in order, because it may
he passed within month of the assem-
bling OF the Legislature, and when passed
il can be enforced because il will be backed
| by public sentiment. Constitutional ubiec-
tions will, no doubt, be raised, but the
framer of the bill OF which we write is an
emrent lawyer, and the public can afford
to accept his judgement as to the legality
of the proposed enactment. At any rate
its passage would he evidence of the good
faith OF the Republican party, and it would
prepare the way for the second step, which
is an amendment of the Constitution.
The Republican party, in its platform, is
pledged 10 the submission to the people of
an amendment striking from the constitu-
tion the antilicense clause, which for thirty
years has tied the hands OF the people, and
secured to the liquor dealers virtual free
trade. This would not necessarily mean
license, but it would leave the people,
throug ii their representatives, free to deal
with the traffic as might, from time to time,
seem best in the interests of society. The
State under the present Constitution might
prohibit, but what's the Use OF talking a bout
that when only small fraction Of the peo-
pie favorit? If the time should ever come
when prohibition would prohibit-when
public sentiment would demand it, the pro.
posed amendment would not interfere with
the enactment of prohibitory laws; MOI
would it interfere with the labors OF those
well meaning people who are engaged in
the good work Of educating the people or
the side of temperance.
That such an amendment would now be
ratified by the people we have no doubt
That it was once defeated in Ohio is no ar.
gument against it. The people have learned
great deal in the last ten wears. They
have lived to discover the folly of those
who imagined that with free trade the
traffic would become so odious that the
people would suppress it. 1t has not worked
that way. On the contrary, it became such
power in politics that politicians were
afraid to deal with it, and the threat of q
brewer in the Legislature WAS more effec
tive than the petition Of 100000 men and
women. Instead of the State regulating oil
controlling the traffic, the traffic assumed Il
rule the State.
This has brought the people up to recog
nize the necessity tor change, and the way
IS now open for action,and what that SHOULD
he we have endeavored to indicate.
We are not unmindful of the fact thai
this course will be antagonized by the two
extremes that appeared at the polls in tn,
late election, and we are aware that ther,
: is class of people who nre conscientiousl,
opposed to free trade and who favor repres
sion have conscientious convictions also
and one class is entitled to as much respec
, as the other. The first class has tried it,
plan, and thirty years OF experience ha
written failure all over it. The secon'
now il certainly entitled to trial OF il
plan of repression through regulation.