Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-12-02
TEMPERANCE COLUMN,
Engaged aud Edited by the W G. I. o..
Of this place.
The AlQMor llmestion.

= ANS At%tAAS "a tAbdANiNaAeS WIG SieSA-
Tic in intoxicating liquors to become
, political issue. 1t has never been
% to any great extent in any other
country, but in the United States it
las been agitated for many years.
ihe "Maine law was the first effort
Q prohibit liquor selling altogether.
II was passed in 1851. There sprang
up soon afterwards strong political
opposition 10 the law. The Repub-
lean party adopted prohibition as
me Of its principles in Maine, and
as adhered TO it ever since. La 1855
new prohibitory law was passed
vas submitted to the popular vote
md ratified, and it has, with some
notifications in the direction of
greater stringency, remained on the
,tatute book to this day Other
States followed in passing similar
laws, but most of these prohibitory
laws were repealed. Within the last
ten or fifteen years there has been,
in many of the States, a party organ
lied by itself, for the purpose of se~
curing the enactment Of prohibitory
laws. This party has also had, once
or twice, a candidate for the Presi-
dency Of the United States; but it
has never secured even one electoral
vote in any State. The cause of
prohibition has, nevertheless, made
progress. A few years ago the Re-
publican legislature of Kansas sub
mitted to the voters of the State an
amendment to the constitution, pro-
hibiting the manufacture or sale Of
Intoxicating liquors Within the
State. (If West Virginia would only
| do this). This amendment was voted
upon in November, 1880, and was
adopted by majority Of about 5000.
The yeas were 02,902, and the hayes
s4,304. In Iowa a similar PROPOSE
tson was submitted to the people at
a special election held in June, of
this year. The amendment was
adopted by nearly $4,000 majority.
These successes have encouraged the
advocates of this kind of temperance
legislation elsewhere. The last leg
islature of Indiana adopted pro-
hibitory amendment which, IL pass
ed by the legislature next winter,
will be voted upon by the people. In
other States there are movements to
secure the submission Of such amend
ments. 1t was the liquor question,
to great extent, which caused the
political revolution" in Ohio this
year. The Republicans had taken
position hostile to the free sale Of
liquors. They wished to close sa-
looms on Sundays, and to restrict the
sale of liquors by license system.
This was not very advanced ground,
but they were defeated. The entire
liquor interest joined their oppo-
nents and gained victory. They
were helped In this movement by a
large class of Germans who do not
believe in Sunday observances, and
who object to losing any privilege to
buy beer when and where they like.
The idea that it is right and duty
of State to regulate the trade in
drinks in the interest Of the public
morals is a modern one, but it has
taken strong hold on society.
There are no effectual laws on the
continent of Europe, but in Great
Britain there is a license system
which cuts off part of the evil.
There is Sunday law which pre-
vents the free sale of spirits on the
Sabbath, although it is still allowed
TO guests of hotel or to actual trav-
ellers. The ante-liquor movement
in England takes the form of "local
option" This so-called local option
of which Sir Wilfred
Lawson is the head, is in favor of
aw that the people of each town
shall be allowed to decide whether
1r not license shall be granted there.
This is the system now in use in
The more radical
people often hurt their
cause by too great enthusiasm but
here can be no doubt that as intox-
eating drinks is the cause of more
crime, misery and poverty than any
hing else, the general tendency Of
civilization and propress is tn limit