New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-09
THE CHEF LOCAL ISSUE.


TIoNs UPON THE CAMPAIGN-BEER AND wIIIsKEY
GARDENs-DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE WITH RUM
[FROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBCNEl
CINCINNATI, Ohio, Oct. Gone would wish III the
last week of campaign 10 drop generalities anu
speak with tone of some assurance of prospective
maiorties and results but that in the atmosphere
of Cincinnati where the candidates are fam to
admit that their opinions may be the out
growth of their hopes, Is impossible,
Only this Is certain-that the "home-stretch
epoch opens upon a much brighter prospect
for Republican success than the hrst lndi-
cations of the campaign born OF the fears OF poll
ticians at Columbus gave evidence or
The German element" proves to be
less of a bugaboo than feared. Upon
examination 1t resolves itef into secondary
elements. with opinions and tastes ranging from
socialism to asceticlsm-trOm unrestricted lndul-
gence to prohibition and teetOtasm-but with
preponderance opposed TO abrupt departure from
the habits and customs of fatherland The beer
rarden-that local issue, which finds defenders,
apoogists and wOulG-be eradcatOrs IN about equal
proportons-seems not so remotely distinctive from
the common American " gin-mill as its friends
are fond of representing.
II modulates through every tone of the gamut,
from the high-toned establishments on
the billions where the respectable thou
sands meet of Sunday night to minister
at once to their thirst and their love of harmony,
down through the mixed-Yery much sO-resorts Of
Vine-st-the Bowery OF Ciucinnatl-tO the broihes
Of the sums Its patrons are 10 Ia surprising
extent Americans and the sound OF pure Anglo
Saxon profanity mingled with the CAV strains OF
Strauss and the jingling of glasses falls upon the
ear of the Sabbath evening saunterer past rs por-
tails. As an American institution, the conclusion IS
forced npon the mind of the impartial observer that
at its best it is a preparatory school for that
which is lower. One meets Germans made
drunk and quarrelsome with pot2tlous
of "sour mash " and Bourbon, and Americans
rendered stupid and maudiin with beer. short
while since some friends Of the writer came to Gin
cinnat and conducted by an acquaintance to
one of the better class of resorts" 1t Is always
thus0 said their conductor " Note that the music
is excellent, and that these are respectable men and
women crowded about the tables and merrily drink
ing their beer. There is never drunkenness or dis
turbance hereD AT this moment there came an out
burst of polyglot blasphemy from a ncIghbOrinG
table burly Teuton arose, swung chair over his
head and brought it down upon the head of
peipnboring drinker. Amid the crash of furniture
and the shrieks of women the tourists escaped,
satisfied that they could see as much in New-Iork
or Philadelphia.
The Rev. Joseph Cook, after visit to Cincinnati.
said he had visited all the capitals OF two CONT
nents and this the wickedest city OF them all
Probably he was msled by Appearances Squalor.
prostitution and intemperance are painfully con-
spicuous but 1t is in part due to the fashion prev
alent among the more prosperous classes of living
IN the suburbs giving that which is worst an oppOr
tunity to concentrate.
In short dissip patton in Cincinnati, with its large
German population, wears the repulsive garb
which distinguishes it IN other great American
cities and loudly calls for legal surveillance and
restraint The social economist must class the beer
garden among the nurseries Of fvlce-peasant-fea-
tured and agreeable in its better aspects but through
its relationships opening up every downward
avenue of evil Its repression may be impractlcabe
but its restriction is imperative and TO this task the
Republican party is applying itself.
II a very significant fact that Messrs. Follett
and Jordan Democratic Congressional candidates
in the districts which divide this city and county
between them, both good lawyers and good public
speakers have not yet opened their mouths upon
the temperance issue. Nor dare they talk upon any
issue. since their evasion of the greatest
pending question would be more damaging
than their silence. Thus they shorn OF their
strongest fighting quality and an advantage "hich
can only be measured on election day-but when Is
certainly considerable-is gained by the Repubh-
cans.
Amor Smith tile Republican nominee in the lid
District is one of the shrewdest and most expert
enced of Cincinnatis politicians-though not pub
lie speaker. A member of the Republican sta'e EA-
ecutlve Committee at twenty-one, he has had many
years experience of the kind which best quaiiles
him for mis- present task and is enabled 10 take such
advantage of his competitors enforced silence as
warrants moderate expectations of success AsC
Iector of Internal Revenue his acquaintance WIN
brewers and distlfers became extensive and III MS
varied official and political experience he has De-
come favorably known to ali classes.
Major Butterworth. whose good campaigning
qualities have been proved by two decisive vio-
tories IN district which is regarded as naturally
Democratic" Is both an orator and All organizer,
and has planted himself squarely upon the tax and
license PLATFORM despite the early fears OF his more