Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-04-13
THE POND BILL.

hope OF securing fair hearing from al
sides. There was not time to conside
it fairly pending the election, hence i
was opposed ON insufficient grounds o.
one side, while on the other it was no
received with any degree of enthusiasm
1t is well known that a great man,
temperance people oppose the recogni
tien of the liquor traffic in any form, ant
this class regard taxation as reeogni
tion. On the other hand, the liquo
dealers, and especially the brewers, op
posed it because it would, as they look
ed at it, reduce the traffic and diminisl
the profits of the business. 1t had thu
opposition of those who make money
out of the liquor traffic on one side, while
it did not have the enthusiastic support
of the traffic on the other. AS a result
the liquor dealers gained an apparent
victory. This was caused mainly by s
full vote en- one side, and light vote or
the other Then Democrats who want
ed success, however secured. voted theil
ticket. Thousands who believe in the
principles of the Pond bill voted the
Democratic ticket on party grounds
Theseare now counted as opposed to
the Pond bill. But the TACT must not
be lost sight of that over $4,000 voters
in Cincinnati did not go to the polls at all
There were near 5000 less votes cast on
Monday than for Mayer in 1881, and
more than $4,000 less than for President
in 1880.
But why should the Pond bill be op-
posedp With those who will accept
nothing short of prohibition it is not
worth while to argue. Neither is it
worth while to waste time with the ex-
tremc liquor faction who demand the
right to do as they please. But an
overwhelming majority of our citizens
believe the liquor traffic ought to bear
its full share of the expenses of main
tanning the municipal government.
With this class, whether they be liquor
men or anti-liquor men, we propose to
reason. The object of the Pond bill is
to tax the retail liquor traffic. As here
tofore remarked, it ought to be amend
ed in some respects, but the principle is
right, and ought to be and will be en-
forced. Why not? Is there any good
reason why traffic that is continuing
evil should not bo taxed, while all in
dustries are burdened to meet the ex-
penses resulting from that traffic? At
this time, and tor some time past, the
retail liquor dealer has been virtually
exempt frem taxation. Is this right?
IL business? 1t is not so in other
States. 1t should not be so in Ohio.
This discrimination is in effect the rob-
berry Of other classes, who are forced to
meet the demands of the tax gatherer.
Besides, under this system of free
trade and special privileges, the number
of doggeries and low dives has largely
increased, until every city and town in
the State is cursed by their existence.
This has been tolerated until it becomes
a question whether society has any
rights that the propreitors of dives and
doggeries are bound to respect. In this
it is simply foolish to talk
about personal liberty, but to the loss of
it. And this is the chief ground upon
which demands are made for laws re-
the traffic. Society is the chief
corner stone of liberty, and the retail
liquor traffic. as conducted in this City
and in every city and town in Ohio, is
the foundations of society.
The State, therefore, must come to the
rescue. 1t is this necessity that led to
the adoption of the Pond bill taxing the
traffic. 1t taxes oat of existence the
worst class of saloons. 1t was SO in
tended. From the rest it forces reve-
hue to aid in supporting the government
and diminishing the tax burden that
bears heavily on other classes. These
principles can not be
changed by any temporary outburst of
excitement such as we had in this city
On Monday. They are too firmly fixed
for that.
The Pond bill is in all its leading
features with US to stay. If its consti-
shall be sustained by the
courts, as we believe it will, it will not
De repealed. 1t may be amended. In
,ur opinion it out to be amended, but
here is no power short of the Supreme
Court that will dare to strike it from
he statute books. The liquor dealers, |
n flying to the Democratic party for re-
ief, lean upon broken reed. The SEN
iment of the people of Ohio is in favor
If taxing the liquor traffic, and no party |
would dare to put a plank opposed to
'uch taxation in its platform.
The true policy for the liquor dealers |
s to accept the situation. There was |
,nce power in this country that un-
lertook to dictate to men what they |
hould say and how they should vote.
That was the slave power. 1t fell. The |
liquor traffic may be tolerated, but it |
;an not rule, and the more it undertakes
% shape the policy of the government
md to antagonize the necessities of So
,iety, the greater will be its troubles.
IN the principles of the Pond bill there
urks no malice. 1t is revenue meas
Ire. Its purpose is to tax business
hat has heretofore been free-that has |
,een unjustlv made free from the bur-
lens that the business largely creates.
Do not for one moment imagine that the
gained on Monday is a guaran-
zee of safety for the future. Agitation
will not cease until justice shall have
,een done. Monday was the Bull Run
If this agitation. The Appomattox is
20 come. The contest has Just begun.
It is not a prohibition craze. 1t is
on the part of the great mass
Of the people, which will not cease, but
will gain headway until Ohio shall fall |
INTO line with other States in the mat |
5er of taxing and regulating the liquor
,raffic. The handwriting is visible to
jhe naked eye, and the political leaders
who do not read it,or who, seeing it, un-
ieItake to stife their conscience, are
doomed. Gazette, 5th.
A SENSATIONAL story comes from
IL