Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-05-05
LIQUOR LEGISLATION.
Encouraging Commendaiion OF the
Pond and Smith Lnws.
New York Times |

lNcW 1Ork lluhct
The contest which threatens to enter
largely into the political canvass Of the
year in Ohio is To be considered apart
from the merits of this legislation. 1t is
to be presumed that the Legislature, in
passing these restrictive measures, repre-.
sented the wishes of n minority of the peo
pie OF the State, and il is worth while TO
ascertain whether the people will sustain
them. They are laws now, and as such
they should be enforced, and no opposi-
tion to their enforcement can have the
countenance OF sober people OF either par
ty. The brewers and saloon keepers make
mistake when they direct their fight
consider them unjust or injudicIous, and,
if they believe that the people of the State
will not sustain them, they would be JUS
titled in laboring TO secure their repea l.
This may be their ultimate purpose; but
in the meantime they propose to defy the
authority of the State and show that these
acts can not be executed. The Republican
party ought not 10 shrink from meeting an
issue like that. The attitude of the liquor
dealers also suggests that tins is as good n
time MS any to test their political power.
Not only in Ohio, but in nearly every
other State, they exercise an influence al
together out of proportion to their import
ance rs citizens, and il is an influence that
is far from beneficial TO politics or to soci-
ETY.. Ii they band together to nulify laws
intended to suppress the evils growing out
OF their business, or to prevent or repeal
Legislation demanded by the better senti.
ment of the people, it behooves the people
to meet.the issue, and decide whether ihe
liqnor interest is to be accepted as con-
trolling one in State politics under any
circumstance whatever. Until this ques-
ton is settled that OF modifying the exist
ing laws should be posiponed.
The Republicans OF Ohio are on the
right side in this controversy, and that is
reason enough for holding their ground
and facing the threatened contest. 1t will
no doubt, produce many changes of votes
but the danger OF losing the support OF the
Germans is probably exaggerated. They
are, for the most part, law abidin5 people
and though strongly attached to theii
customs, and not likely TO admit thai
beer.drinking even on Sunday is practice
that should b e suppressed by law, it il
hardly conceivable that they should fol
low the brewers and saloon keepers in 9
mass to the support OF the Democrat,
candidates. The tendency in that direc
ton may be strong in Cincinnati and {
few other large towns, but the detection
will be offset by the considerable gain
from those who sympathize with temper
ance legislation, while in the rural dis
trics the temperance sentiment may ~
rallied in force to the support ct law and
order. But, whatever the result, the fgl,
is one from which the party can not shrnl
now, and no compromise or. concession cal
be made which will not occasion more los
than gain. Ii the liquor question is to b
uppermost in the politics of the State il
The coming contest, square issue shoul'
be made, and fought to that end. Their
is nothing OF supreme moment at stake
and the election may at least be made tn
means of ascertaining how effective til
sentiment OF the State stands on this ques
ton, which has thus been forced to tb
'front.'"