Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-09-21
ONO REPUBLICAN COMMITTEES RooNs,
COLUMBUS, o., Sept. II, 1882.

\ COLUMBUS, u, sept. IL, 1857.
Hon. John G. Thompson, Chairman Democrat
ic State Executive Committee, Columbus, o.
DEAR SIR-I have the pleasure of ac-
knowledging the receipt of your favor
of this date, in which you decline to per-
nit Hon. James w. Newman, Demo
cratic candidate flor Secretary of State,
to enter into public discussion OF the
issues involved in this campaign with
Hon. Charles Townsend, for the reason,
covered with many words, that the tax
alton and regulation of the liquor traffic
in Ohio are not such issues. Ii this al
legged reason be founded upon fact, it is
very strange that you should proceed, in
YOUR communication, to discuss this
very question to the extent of five
pages, and i'm reply 10 an invitation, in
which it was not even suggested. In
Willingly you have acknowled that this
subject is uppermust in the mind OF
your committee by the prominence you
have given it.
You could not have had the platforms
of the two parties before you, and your
memory must have been at fault when
Won wrote mo such issue is made by
the platforms of the two parties" The
Republican platform declares that by
specific taxation the traffic in intoxica-
| ting llunors should be made to bear its
share of the public burdens, and that the
Constitution should be speedily amend
ed in SO far as it is an obstacle in the
way of practical control over the liquor
traffic. Instead of meeting this bold and
vigorous declaration of principle, your
o. doAnaH hahInd tho
meaningless Geclaration-"We are 0p-
posed to all laws merely sumptuary.
In defense of the Democratic party of
the present day, you are pleased to say
that the Democratic party was the first
to declare that the General Assem-
bly should be clothed with power to
provide against the evils resulting from
the traffic in intoxicating liquors, and
was the first TO make provision by law
on the subject. 1t is true that thirty
Years ago the Convention which framed
the present Constitution and the General
Assembly which passed the liquor laws
of 1854, were composed of majority of
Democrats. In connection with this
fact desire to remark that thirty years
have brought about many changes, and
these changes have given to the Demo-
cratic party, leaders who are capable of
desiring party success, even it must be
secured by the triumph of the evils re-
sulting from the traffic in intoxicating
liquors. That this assertion is true if
evidenced by the votes of the Demo-
cratic members of the General Assem-
blies of Ohio during the last few years.
By their almost unanimous action they
took out the Adair law whatever OF eff
ficiency there was in it. With like una
nimity they took away from city coun-
ellis the power to restrain the evils re-
sulting from the traffic in intoxicating
liquors by means OF the McCOnnells-
Vile ordinance. Last winter they pre-
sented an almost solid front against the
Pond law and the Sunday closing law.
The attitude of the Democratic mem
bers of the Congress OF the United
States upon this subject, which is now
of very great importance to the people
of Ohio, does not differ from the posi-
tion taken by the Democratic members
of the General Assemblies of this State.
At the last session Of Congress bill
passed the Senate providing for a Com
mission to be appointed by the Presi-
dent, whose duty it would be to investi-
gate the alcoholic liquor traffic, its rela-
tions to revenue and taxation, and its
general economic, criminal, moral and
scientific aspect in connection with bau-
perism. crime, social evils, public health
and the general welfare of the people.
In favor of this bill thirty-four Senators
voted, only six of whom were Demo-
Gratis. Fourteen Senators voted against
it, all Democrats save one. Senator
Sherman voted YES" Senator Pendle-
ton voted "No." When a like measure
was sought to be brought before the
House Of Representatives upon the 9th
of February, 1882, ninety-seven Demo
Gratis prevented such action by voting
against the suspension of the rules.
Among these Democrats were Atherton,
Converse, GeddeS and LeFevre, of Ohio.
You will at last admit that members of
Congress from Ohio are to be elected in
October.
Those who are engaged in the traffic
in intoxicating liquors have recognized
the leaders of your party in Ohio as
their friends in the most emphatic man
ner. At the last spring election they
gave you their united support IN the
larger cities of Ohio, and thereby you
were enabled to achieve some local vic
tories. BY the speeches of their leaders
and by the open letter which they ad-
dressed to Governor Foster but few
DAYS ago, and by other means they have
shown that you have their active sup
port and sympathy i'll this campaign.
On account of their support you to-
day openly boast that you will carry
Ohio, State which two years ago gave
General Garfield for President nearly
thirty-ive thousand majority. You de-
sire to hide the fact that the question
of the just taxation and regulation of
the liquor traffic in Ohio is an issue.
You cannot do it. 1t is an issue, and it
is the only one in which the people are
interested.
l am glad to be assured that my
friends of the Democratic State Execu-
tive Committee are "well pleased with
the progress of the campaign thus far"
1 beg to assure you that the members of
this committee are also happy. The
sweeping victory in Maine but yester-
day, and the fact that the Democrats OF
Ohio dare not discuss the only living is
sue of the campaign. give them eminent
satisfaction. remain, very truly yours,
GEORGE X. NASH,
Chairman Republican State Ex. Com.
In breach of promise suit in Monta-
ma, the plaintiff said that the defendant
had failed to appear at the time agreed