The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-25
OHIO REPUBLICANISM.
Important Conference of the Repre-
sentative Men of the Party.
The Views of a Number of the Most Trusted
Leaders and Observation-Disclosures of
the Whisky Question Discussed.

An important conference of the Republi-
cans of Ohio was held in Columbus, on Tues
day night, preliminary to the meeting of the
State central committee yesterday. The gen
sral outlook was discussed, especial refer
,nce being made to the influence of the
question of liquor regulation. We quote
rom the report what was said by the princi-
pal speakers. The first IS letter from Sem
itor Sherman, as follows:
SENATOR sHERMANs LETTER. u
81 feel as deeply as you do the extreme i'm
portance of the approaching canvass in Ohio,
which, as it precedes the presidential cleo
ton, may largely influence the result The
union Of the Republicans of Ohio is essential
to success. When we are united we can
carry the State easily, but if divided our
compact political adversaries can readily
overthrow us. 1t is vitality important that
the policy of the Republican party upon all
the great industrial questions of the day
should be maintained. The dignity of
American labor, the equal rights of citizens,
fair elections, national progress and develop
ment, the public credit, and sound cur
rency. all depend, as we believe, upon the
success of the Republican party. 1t is
neither wise for US party to extend our
jurisdiction over local issues, however inter-
esting or important they may be. The tenn
this ought not to be considered political
matter To treat it as such is to weaken the
Republican party, as we'll as the cause of
temperance.
IN the Democratic party as well as in the
Republican, there are many thousands who
will do all they can to promote the temper
ance cause, yet who are not willing to sur
render their political convictions on other
questions while in the Republican party
there are thousands who do not agree with
the policy of prohibition, or with such re-
strictive legislation as would get the favor of
the great ma ority of our party Temperance
legislation is necessarily local issue. Each
State enacts its own laws, and each commu-
nifty should be at liberty to adopt such re-
straints as are approved by the people
thereof, and as could be enforced by public
sentiment. 1t seems to me this subject
should be committed TO the General Assem-
bly, without restriction. The present consti-
tuition limits the powers of the Legislature
and renders it doubtful whether even a wise
tax law may not DE construed as license law
within the prohibition of the constitution. 1t
may be best in dealing with this subject, to
provide laws for cities, and others for
counties and towns, based upon the consent
Of the communities affected, and which can
be enforced by public opinion. In this way
the opinion of the people will be represented
by the General Assembly, elected with view
to deal with the questions free from party
poutlcs Ii could be with you to impress
my own convictions, it would be to urge our
friends in the Legislature to submit to
the people at the next election a constitu-
tional amendment, comforting upon the GEN
Sfal Assembly complete legislative authority
on the subject,
II know that many have given this sub
jeet so much more careful attention than l.
that scarcely feel at liberty to venture an
opinion further than to express an earnest
hope that subject so difficult, upon which
there is such a wide diversity of opinion in
both the great parties, will not be assumed
by either of them as 4 party question, but
left to the people themselves, who in the
election of their representatives from time to
time can provide safeguards against the adj
mitted evils of intemperance without doing
injustice to anyone. Very truly yours,
John SHERMAN"