Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1883-10-17

THE NEW FACrOR'IN POLITICs.-The
election in Ohio last week, which went
Democratic by the unexpected majority of |
10000, has attracted more than usual at
tenticn by its bringing a new question very |
prominently into State and most probably |
our National politics. The leading fea- |
lures in the campaign were the subjects OF
license and prohibition Of the liquor traffic,
though that of the tariff in the wool grow
ing sections had considerable effect. The
tickets of both parties contained the two
constitutional provises, indicating the
choice of the voter for license or prohibit
tion, and it was thus not directly party
issue, many Democrats voting for prohibit
ton and Republicans for license, but the
whole force of the Liquor Dealers AssO-
citation" was thrown for HOadley and his
ticket. Mr.. Fouraker, the Republican
candidate, went for the second or prohibit
ton amendment and was defeated and the
prohibition amendment likewise, but re-
ceived the enormous vote of 100000, but
little bare of majority.
The women, for the first time went to the
polls, and worked for the second amend
ment AS a voter approached he was
asked if he would vote for it; if he de-
clined abruptly, nothing further was said
to him, but if he indicated any doubt as to
what he should do, the ticket was pressed
upon him and generally with success
They were, in the main, treated civilly,
and while the women acknowledged they
felt out of place, they said they were
nerved to the work by the interest they
felt in their sons and husbands and the
giving large majorities fer the Democratic
ticket, gave large majorities also for prohi-
bition, while some Republican counties
voted against it. In some places Germans
labored for the prohibition amendment and
it is said large Irish Democrat vote was
for it. But as q whole, the successful
party is opposed to prohibition, and the
repeal Of the Scott law taxing liquor Al
any other property, will be asked to b
repealed This will take 100000 from
the treasury that must be raised from othe
property.
however, is that q new question has beel
thrown prominently before the American
people that must be recognized. The vote
the immense vote of some 300,0O0 men in
single State on moral issue is wonderful
and it cannot fail to claim recognition b
one or the other of the great political pal
ties. The politicians dread it; they do nc
know just what to do with it or how t
take hold it, but there is always conviC
ton where the people move in phalanxs {
thousands. Its course is very similar I
that of the slavery question; State aft'
State was captured, until finally it becan
national, and the leading national que
ton. In Iowa the people voted year az
for Constitutional prohibition of The sa
Ofliquor by majority of 30, 900, but fro
a clerical mistake the Supreme Court
cided the amendment was not properly e.
acted, but on the same day of the Oh
election, the people decided by about Il
same majority again they wanted a cOnst
tutional amendment prohibiting the sale
liquor in that State as a beverage. II
temperance reformers find as with all 9th
reforms, the battle has to to be foug
over and over again before finally success
full, but they seem to be coming up to t
line at each engagement with renew
force. 1t will be fought again in Ohio.
\ wonderful wave of temperance sen
ment is now rolling through the Southe
States and several Of them promise to lie
their sister States of the North in the te
perance reform. Delaware is slow in su
movements, but is likely to wheel into Ii
at the next election. At least nearly &c
men have already signed a compact Il
unless the question of prohibition is rect
nized by the existing parties, to vote an
dependent ticket with this as the lead
issue