Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-11-07
= Full lire Albums and Fancy Goods
at the Dutch Postoffice.
THE SCOTT Law DECISION.

lClncinnal Evening Post.
There is general disposition to Judge of
the Supreme Court decision on the Scott
liquor law entirely from a political stand
point. This is unfortunate, tor the princi.
pie involved is one of the most important
ever passed upon by court of last resort,
aud it should be elevated from the dirty
slum Of politics. The truth is, that from
the moment the Legislature of Ohio began
discussing the evils of the liquor traffic
with the intention of some proper legisla-
ton, the Democratic leaders placed the
principle involved in the background and
made gross political capital out of every
attempt TO pass regulation bill. They
did all they could TO defeat the Pond bill,
and iailing IN that, amended and tinkered
TO be declared invalid by the Supreme
Court, which was then Republican,. After
the decision which set aside the Pond law
came lurlher attempts at legislation, culmi-
mating in the Scott law. This the Democrats
IN The Legislature attempted to defeat, but
failing, loaded 1t with provisions which
they considered were clearly uncunslilu-
tionai. The Republican Supreme Court,
however, strained point and susia ined
the law, knowing full well that il was in
accurdance with the wishes OF Il large ma
jority Of the people oil the State, notwilh
standing an old provision OF the Consti-
tuition which Is obsolete When measured by
modern sentiment. The Democratic Su-
preme Court, III It's decision, planted itself
squarely Oh The letter oil The State Consti.
tution and On the decision Of the Republic
can Supreme Court whu. declared the
Pond law invalid. Diyesling the question
entirely OF poiltiGs, and all liquor legIsla-
ton lrom The passage vi The Pond law has
been unworthy OF uen of Intelligence and
honesty. 1t has all heen series OF Jug.
CLING 10 evade the plain intent of the Cuii-
stiluuon, lhe Constitution of OpiD
meant 10 prohibit the sale oi Intoxicating
liquors IA II beverage ii it meant any thing.
Lac Trainers oil Iha. organic Instrument
piesained on the honesty ol the people OF
Ouio, ihey SUPPOSED tina. ii the citizeis
ui Ohio adopted Inc Consultation with ils
prohioiiory clause they would also elec,
henoers oi the Legislature under that
Constitution VINO would enact Tire ueces
sary statutes 10 eutO.ce that CunstI utiun.
| In this the trainers uf the Constitution
were deceived. The Legislature of Oaio
Tor thirty years, 10y omission to pass such
LAWS as The Constitution CONTEMPLATED, ell.
doised the iiqnur traffic. When legislation
uiu lake place II Was III direct Opposition
10 ihe ietter ans spirit vi the law, aud has
been but Il series Of dishonest triukefy
Intended 10 evade. Max Nor,iun has
lersely said: The civilization Uf the
mine'eenih century is LIVING lie" and
the acliohs OF the OHIO legislature and the
Two great parties VI Tie state Oh tie liquof
qu,s,ion Is just as honest us our ciyinza.
tiuh. Legislators and political leaders
believe one thing and do quile the orpo.
site. There is no donbt That The pruhibt-
| tory clause ol The State constitution ex-
pressed The sentlmeu,s ui the people oi
Ohio when II Was adopted, but nearly hall
II centdry has passed since then. CiyilI-
zstiOn has maue wonderful strides since
then. The hard and uusleie views OF ouI
early Purilanlcal settlers have been much
modihed III The interim by the coming of 4
great innux oil EnrupeanS, especially Il T.
mans. lhe vice 0r iuxury Ia You please
oI beer drinking came with Them Ii ha,
been used ia u license by the Irish, Ne
groes, aud Americans 10 indulge TO exce.l
IN stronger inloxlcants uniII this vic,
threatens Alarming consequences. All rec
oghIZe IL must he checked Ia sonie manner
Inc more Liberal believe IN a lax regula-
uon The more radical in complete prohi-
blllOn oi manufacture, POSSESSION and sale
lbe CONSTITUTIONS, IA spirit, If not in letter
prohils any attempt at taxation az taxation
means legal recognition, all sophisLry AN,
Juggling ol words 10 The contrary noiwith
standing. Any legislature coulL have pas
"ed an absolute prohiuitory law, and
Wouid have Stood ,he tests OF the cunr
II The froiiibilionlsis are Ia the majurit
IN the STATE let them eject Il Legislilur
aud enact II pfohib'tory law. Op tie olhe
hand ihe preSeui Legislature si,onle subm
iicehse anienda'enl To ti,e peo ,,le and |,
The people pat their inal decision on u,
/, Question.