Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-06-03
CLING. SUNDAY MORNING.

division than the failure to nominate any
other candidate. Upon questions OF prin-
ciple that divide parties there are no vital
differences of opinion in the Republican
party. On details men will differ. From
the natsre of the human mind ii is una
voidable. But upon all the essential ques-
administration OF the National Govern.
ment, and which, form the basis of party
creed, the Republican party is as united
and strong ss when, under Lincoln, II
crushed the rebellion, or, under Grant, it
finished the work of reconstruction, or,
under Hayes, it established specie resump
ton
The Questions at Issue.
What now are the questions upon which
the contest this fall will depend? Are we
right on these2 II so, We can win the
victory il We will. These questions no
doubt will be formulated by the State Con-
yention. But one or two OF them have
been made so prominent by recent events
that we can anticipate the resolutions OF
the Convention. Shall our tariff laws be
framed with view to protect labor as well
as TO levy taxes? Upon that question we
are united and incontestably right. 1t Is
the fundamental national question OF the
time which will engross the attention OF
the next Congress, and be the pivotal issue
upon which the Presidential election will
turn. We, as party, main tain that while
the main object Of taxes on imported goods
is to furnish revenue for the support OF the
Government, yet that in levying them
speoial care. should be taken to foster, build
up and protect such manufactufes, 7agrf-
culture, or production, as are
Suited TO Our Climate
and the habits of our people, with a view
to secure to our artizans fair wages for
good days labor, for our farmers home
market for their productions, and to our
country strength, wealth and independ-
ence. This is the chosen position OF the
Republican party, and upon it we invite
q contest with our Democratic friends,
whenever, if ever they make up their
minds upon the subject.
The other question is: Shall the sale OF
spirituous and malt liquors be free and
untsxed in Ohio? Or shall it pay in taxes
some portion of the expenses caused by
the traffic, for the maintenance Of our
courts, poor houses and local police, and
for the loss il entails upon the victims OF a
diseased appetite, and upon their wives
and children. The Republican Legislature
has embodied their view OF what is right
aud just in what is called 1.-The Scott law
We Must Stand or Fall by That Law,
Not by its defects or imperfections, if any
for they can easily be corrected; but upon
the principles contained in it-upon the
Justice of the taxes il imposes. 1t declares
that an annual tax OF two hundred dol
lars shall be imposed upon all persons who
sell spirituOus liquors in Ohio, and one
hundred dollars on all who sell malt
liquors. Is this wise and Just measure?
believe it is. A tax on the sale of liquor
now EXISTS in nearly every State Of the
Union. and in some States at a rate far
higher than the rate proposed. There is
not a country in Europe, or in regions
anywhere called civilized, where some
form of taxation is not levied upon the
sale of liquors. In London, Paris and Ber-
lin, and in most of the cities Of the social
ed centers of civilization the chief sources
of revenue for local purposes is the tax on
the sale OF spirits, wine and beer. In
Ohio, almost alone OF the States of the
Union, owing to the faulty provisions Of
our State Constitution, the sale OF liluor
is untaXed, and is as free as
The Sale Of Bread.
Is il so that the people of Ohio are less
careful of good order and temperance than
the people OF sister States or the great
cities of Europe? We would all resent
such an accusation if made. The truth is,
that the anomalous position OF this ques-
iion in Ohio grows out Of the fact that
large portion of the people OF Ohio are so
much opposed to liquor selling that they
won't recognize the traffic by taxing it.
But experience shows that a wise tax law
will restrain, to certain extent, the evils
OF indiSCriminate and universal traffic in
spirits will yield also a fruitful revenue,
and not prevent the passage of any other
wise temperance law which, In public
opinion, is consistent with the personal
liberty of the citizen. Therefore, Eepubli-
cans favor the Scott law.
They Make n Part of their Platform
They mean to enforce it. They are Op-
posed to its repeal. They invite our Dem
OCratiC friends TO meet us msnfully on this
issue, and take the judgment of the peo-
pie Hpon il. We may lose some votes, but
the Republican party, in all its brilliant
history, was never more clearly right than
when ii demands of those who sell LIQUOR
as beverage to pay to the public tax TO
meet the expenses caused by their traffic,
end being right, We are certain to win If
we have the courage to fight and the wis
dom to unite with all those who agree
with rs.
And so, my Republican friends OF Rich
land county, close as | commenced, that,
though We are IN minority in this county,
We are contending for what we believe to
be right, and for the best interests of all,
and will still appeal to the majority Of our
neighbors in
Kindness and Charity.
10 help us fight the cause Of labor and
temperance. as in former times We ap-
pealed to them for freedom and the
Union.
We neither intend 20 shi-k this issue
nor allow our Democratic friends to do so.
II they beat us this time We will try il
again. We will do no injustice to any
trade or vocation. but We say it is not uu-
inst 20 impose all annual tax of 800 upon
those who sell spirituous liquors, and 800
on those who sell malt liquo Indeed it
is marvel that such 9 tax Is resisted by the
Democratic party in Ohio, when a much
larger tax is levied in other States.