New-York tribune., 1883-06-04
THE DEMOCRATIC OUTLOOK.

than anV other man tnat mas DctH
case he was elected his nomination as Presldentai
candida in 1884 would be almost assured
THE DEMOCRATIC OUTLOOK.
yaLIANDlGHAM CoNFIDENT-THE LIQUOR QUESTION
To DE THE LEADING IssUE-vIEws ON THE
TARIFF AND CIVIL SERVICE.
fy,oy AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuNEl
DAYTON, May 30-The opposition at Columbus
last winter to Republican efforts for temperance
Iegislation was led by Charles N. Vallandigham,
who resides here The Democrats awarded him
leadership at the beginning ofthe session by casting
for him the complimentary party vote at the cleo
ton for Speaker So his place in the party does not
rest on the distinction transmitted in his name.
He i, not alone the son of his father" but has
separate. self-,nade stamp. Parakng of Demo-
cratic scare blowing this way that the Republicans
might nominate Mr Sherman, he went up to
Columbus a few days ago 10 advise with party
friends about starting parallel boom for Mr. Thur
man. This suggestion was amazing from such
uuarter because the feud between the Nallan-
dishams and the Thurmans beginning before Mr.
Thurman prevented Mr.. Vallsndigham's election to
the United States Senate. had not been mitigated
a. late as last winter. when an incipient movement
looking to Mr. Thurman's return to the Senate, in
the event of political change in the Legislature,
having passed the whispering stage. Mr.. Vallan-
ING TO SIT down very hard on any such undertaking
II was not at all. he said from apprehension of
Republican success this fall with any candidate
that he persuaded himself into favoring
Mr. Thurman's candidacy, but rather on
general martial principles. that one veteran
ought to be staked against another.
The Sherman boom took on two extra syllables
BY the time Mr.. Vallandingham had been in Column
bus day, and he has returned home reassured that
Mr.. Hoadly or Mr.. Ward will be good enough to
carry the election with
"There is very little sentiment in this county"
he says "for Mr. Geddes, except general good feel
ing Political preferences are divided between Mr.
Hoadly and Mr. Ward. Mr.. Wards home is III the
adjoining county. am not able to judge from my
information which of the two men has the greater
strength There is good deal Oftak, in connection
with Mr. Ward, about his deserving the nomination
because of his long continued services to the party
think that sort of talk If kept up, will iDjure his
chances for 1t presupposss gratitude in politics
one of the lost arts"
"Will preferences for Mr.. Ward cool the ardor of
his friends at home should the Democrats put an
other AT the head of the ticketp
mot at all. The party will be united. We shall
have O strong issue. resting on the legislative
record, or which Democrats are of one mind and
earnest The law passed by the Republicans will
not stand with the people, even though the court
should sustain 1t. l mean that its principle will
be condemned. There is general feeling that
the liquor traffic can be regulated only
under license system. Legislatures may be at the
bush but tax In any form must be IN the nature of
license if its payment shall legalize business.
We fought last session TO have the question OF
license fairly submitted to the people. 1t was
matter TO us how many other questions also
carried to the polls, so long as this might be- That
was the only way, in our Judgment, to put the
whole case to popular test. But the Republicans,
inspired by Prohlbtionsts were determined that
the people should pass only upon onesided PROPOSE
tions, whose defeat could make matters no worse
for them than at present. The people understand
that such legislation was neither comprehensive
fair, and will so express themselves. l am conf
dent on election day.
"The Scott law was based upon grounds as mar
row as were the amendments If, taking the Pro-
hibition view, 1T was intended to check intemper-
snce by closing saloons and eventually to take on
amendments until it shall make illegal the selling
OF liquor to be drunk premises where sold IT will
fail OF effect. Granting that such law might be
enforced people who wanted liquor would still
have it, and If they could get it only in quantities
more would be drunk than before, for it is a rule
that applies to other things than liquor that the
consumption is greater when one has quantity on
hand than when only enough is bought for i'm
mediate use. So should this law close saloons
TO such an extent as to increase the sale of
liquor in quantities, corresponding increase of IN
temperance would naturally follow. On the other
hand if the liquor business 10 to be lcgaized by the
payment of tax, those who pay will be interested
In enlargng their sales to Offset the tax. and
ntemperance will be encouraged in response 10 that
effort.
" In either case, and however it may be regarded.
the temperance legislation Of the recent session
must operate against temperance. Democrats are
rs little desrous Of such a result as Republicans
Popular conscience is usually right. 1t deprecates
excess and recognizes liberty within decent bounds.
The surest way TO spread evil is to oppress It, IL
can be restrained or regulated only by fair dealing.
The people are independent of party In their aver
sion to intemperance. No one can soberly claim
otherwise. And 1t is only when party under mis-
taken zeal or for political ends undertakes to pass
law without constitutional warrant that the rod of
popular correction Is raised Our position all
through last sessions discussion of this subject
simply that If the end in view was to check the
liquor traffic 1t could be done only by
amending the Constitution The other side would not
60 In that direction as far as we asked We were
perfectly willing that the people should have
chance to vote on en- amendment for absolute pro-
hibition it was all right also that to tho people
should be submitted the question Of legislative
regulation. But the subject was not covered by
these two amendments They assume TO put the
liquor question out for popular adjustment, but do
nothing of the kind. Both proposltons as / said,
siGs hey fall the r sST
Lose nothing The third proposition, on the question
Df license, would have covered the case. Then