New-York tribune., 1882-04-24
THE TEMPERANCE ISSUE IN ONO.


II is evident that the Republicans in the Ohio
Legislature are not alarmed by the commotion
which their passage of the Pond bill has
aroused. Instead of attempting to retrace their
steps. they have moved forward and have
passed second bill which closes all liquor
saloons in the State on Sunday. This measure.
which is called the Smith amendment to the
Stubbs law, provides that all places where IN
toxicating liquors are sold, including hotels ana
restaurants, shall be closed on Sunday, and I'M
poses fine not exceeding 800 and lmprison-
meut not exceeding thirty days for all Viola
tions. This, like the Pond bill, is extremely
unpopular among the Germans and liquor
sellers generally, and is likely to cost the Ke-
publican party many votes IN all the clilcS
where groggcries do most abound. The threats
of the brewers and liquor sellers have not
frightened the Republicans, for the final vote
in the House on the Smith amendment, was
larger than when it first passed that body ana
went to the Senate, where it was slightly
amended
These two laws put the Republican party
sauarely on the side of temperance. They
have not attempted to dodge the issue, bat have
met it boldly and taken their position. Ihc
wisdom of this course is doubted 10y many he
publican journals in Ohio, and is earnestly de
Tended by others. The Temperance people,
who have been clamOrng for legislation on the
question, and who were expected to recognize
the concession which has been made to their
| demands, are the first to dcnOunce the two
| measures They object to them because they
| COMPROMISE with the evil rather than suppress
il at once If they cannot have a whole loaf
they will eat no bread. The suppression OF all
small groggeries and the closing of all liquor
stores on Sunday they refuse to regard as in
any way benefit to their cause, and present
the anomalous spectacle of vying with the
louor-dcaler in the zeal with which they de-
nounce the Republicans. We do not believe
they will continue in this course. The gro
tesque absurdty of their attitude must shortly
become apparent to them.
The gee of the Democrats is great, but 1t Is
not boundless While the two laws will un
doubtcdly bring them many votes, they Will
| also bring them some perpleXitlcs The sun
day law in particular will cause them much an
nCyance If they denounce it openly. they ally
themselves with the liquor interests and
offend the rural sections Of the State, where
| the law is very popular and the church going
| people in both city and country They cannot
| defend the law in the city and oppose 1t In the
country without disaster. That their own
party is not unanimously opposed to the bill Is
shown by the fact that ten Democratic mem
bers of the House voted in its favor on the
final passage. AS for the Republicans, we can sec
no reason why they should be alarmed. 1t may
be that the Pond bill is crude, and that it would
have been wiser as well as more clearly consti-
tutional to have passed stringent license BILL
and submitted it to the vote of the people but
be that as it may, the bill was % courageous
step in the interest Of law and good morals.
and the party is certain not to lose by it in the
end About the Sunday law there can be no
doubt. Every Eastern city has such law, and
though it is not everywhere enforced with that
thoroushess which might be desired ii is a
powerful restraint upon drinking and disorder,
and an important influence in securing a
peaceful Sabbath and a day of innocent and
healthful rest. We have no doubt a vast
majority OF the people Of Ohio are in favor of \
Sunday Of that kind.