The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-01-02
The Liquor Dealers Convention.

The State Brewers Association, insti-
gated the Ohio Liquor Dealers Protective
Association to call the meeting held at
Columbus, last Thursday, at which about
200 representatives, chiefly from Cleveland,
Columbus and Cincinnati, were present.
The President Of the convention, VIM.
Rackus Of Cleveland, in stating the object
of the gathering, said that the influence of
temperance fanatics had given their branch
of business the appearance Of being illegit-
innate and dangerous to the public we'll
fare. That party politicians had united
themselves with these temperance fanatics
in passing obnoxious laws; but that the
people seeing the danger ahead at the last
election, made them pOwerless; that the
Second Amendment, would not have
received 100000 votes, but knowing, that
with Democratic Legislature, Prohibit
ion would not be enforced, thousands
voted for that measure in careless man
ner. The present Legislature, he declared,
must be induced by petition, to make by
law, the liquor business legitimate as well
as respectable. The Scott law was made
for political purposes, he said, and was not
intended to be for the public good. They
were to consider the advisability Of form.
ing unity of brewers, and wholesale and
retail dealers in wine, beer and liquors, TO
guard their rights and interests against
well-organized temperance fanatics.
J. J. Hall, the attorney Of the Liquor
Dealers Association of Summit county,
expressed the spirit OF the meeting in
declaring that drinking beer and whisky,
was benefit to any community. 1t made
men better morally, socially and intellectu-
ally. The only hope for the intellectual
advancement of the race, and for purity of
character and love of home, was for liquor
men TO thoroughly organize and counter
act the inflence of these temperance men
and women. He had never known any
man engaged in the liquor business, but
who was in favor Of temperance, q y but
ii man wanted to get drunk he had a
perfect right to do So He said that the
sale of beer and whisky should be as free
as that Of bread which sentiment was
loudly applauded.
Mr.. Wilson, Secretary Of the Conven-
tion, stated that the liquor men wanted
neither license or tax, and another Gin
cinnati delegate said that the new Demo
cratic Legislature knew what the liquor
men wanted, and as II had been elected in
opposition TO the Scott and other temper.
ance laws, it could not afford to ignore
their demands. 1t was agreed by all, that
the Scott law should be totally repealed
and no other temperance regulation substi.
tuted; but the more conservative, know.
ing that 80 radical measure would not do,
succeeded in having adopted, resolution,
asking the Legislature to repeal the Scott
law and enact "a judicious and constitu-
tional law"-one of course not derogatory
TO any business interest of the dealers and
manufacturers Of malt, spirituous or
vinous liquors.
The Committee on Organization adopted
a resolution, urging saloonists and liquor
dealers all over the State, to organize local
societies and cooperate with the State
Liquor Dealers Protective Association, by
sending delegates to their animal meet
ing in March.
The liquor representatives must be very
uncomfortable creditors; and their prompt
demands for recognition of service, and
the unblushing confidence with which
they make their own terms, shows what
kind of jogging the members indebted TO
them for votes, will be likely to get.