The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1882-12-27
THE LIQUOR QUESTION:
WHAT SHALL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF OHIO DowITH IL AT THE SEES
SION COMMENCING JANUARY ?, 1882


SION COMMENCING JANUARY 2, 1885,
To the Editor of the Cincinnati
Gazette:
HiIlsboro,O, Dec. I3.-In answer
to my question, 1 propose that the
"ISth section of the schedule of the
Constitution" to wit, "No license to
traffic in intoxicating liquors shall
hereafter be granted in this State
but the General Assembly may by
law provide against the evils result.
ing therefrOm," shall be stricken
out and that it shall be proposed to
the people by due forms of law to
substitute the following amendment
in lieu of said 18th section
"AAIENDNENT.-The General As
sembly ShaH provide against the evils
resulting from the traffic in intoxi-
eating liquors as a be5eyage, by the
enactment of effective local option
laws Totally br0hi6llng the manufacture
and sale Of all such intoxicating
liquors, including ale, beer, and wine,
as a beverage, in such counties,
townships, cities, and incorporated
villages, and other municipalities in
this State, wherein a majority of the
adult citizens, having the quaifca-
tions Of State electors, zUlh42Hi any ai o
qualification because gf sea, shall at a
special election determine by vote
Of such majority of adult citizens
against the manufacture, sale, or
traffic in such intoxicating liquors as
a beverage therein, and shall provide
for the enforcement of such local
option laws by appropriate legislation;
but no such special election shall be
held within sixty days of any Presi-
dental election or Of any other cleo
ton held in this State by the laws
thereof for the election of officers"
This amendment explains itself,
and is intended to comprehend, pro-
tect, and give fair play to the varied
opinions and policies Of all classes
on the liquor question, and more
over is sincerely designed to fix and
make operative just, practicable
legislation on the liquor question.
Now, discarding all ideal opinions,
does the amendment accomplish
what is claimed for it?
I. ItseCures as much prohibition
as can possibly be carried into effect
or be executed by the voice Of
majority Of the people.
p Subject to such prohibition the
whole liquor traffic is left to be con-
trolled, resrained. and regulated b,
the General Assembly in the exerci-
OF its inherent, original legislative
power over that subject, and in such
manner as may in its wisdom and
enlightened conscience seems best
g. As State prohibition at this
period Of time is hOpelessly uuattain-
able, utterly impossible, and Of en-
torcement in the large cities of the
State, and if attainable as State IL
cense Of the traffic at this period OF
time is also hopelessly unattainable,
and would, if attainable, be unjust
and oppressive by reason Of the Ii
cense Of the traffic in neighbOrhoods
and municipalities where a large
majority of the people are opposed
to grog shops, therefore it is claimed
that the amendment following the
middle course between the extremes
Of State prohibition and State license
is the only measure which is now apt,
and that should be submitted to the
people at this time with any hope of
success, and that any other amend
ment is unnecessary.
Jas. II. THOMPSON
We copy the above from the Gin
cinnati Gazette of week before last
and commenditto the careful consid-
Grafton of all friends of temperance
reform in our State. It seems to US
the plan proposed by our esteemed
fellow-citizen, Judge Thompson, has
the great merit Of being eminently
plain and practicable, and if the con
stitutional amendments he proposes
were adopted by the people, and car
ried into effect by appropriate Iegis-
lation, the result would be highly
beneficial to the cause oftemperance