New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-10-29
SWEEPING AV1Y THE SCOTT LAW.

THE OHIO SUPREME COURT DECLARES THE LAW
UNCONSTITUTIONAL DESPERATE DEMOCRATIC
SCHEME To SECURE GERMAN VOTES.
COLUMBUS, Oct 2S.-As if to emphasize the
absurdy Of the St John canvass and show their
desperate condition, the Democrats secured from the Su
prcme Court Of the state to-day declaration that the
Scott law Is unconstitutional. That act passed to
make the liquor dealers bear a small share OF taxation
Formerly they paid license and contributed nothing
toward maintaining the state Government. The Demo
Gratis made common cause with the liquor dealers, and
victory over the Republicans in 1888 promising
to repeal the law They feared to carry oft their pledge
It large Increase in taxation every farmer,
merchant and mechanic in the state to relieve few
thousand OF liquor shops, who could well afford
To pay the tax Many OF those dealers satisfied
with the law Offering the best settlement Of vexed
question. The Democratic leaders also knew that the
wcolgrowcr had contributed more to Republican defeat
than tho liquor dealers. Fearing to face the taxpayers
Democrats therefore refused to repeal the scott law
But the result of the late election showed them that as
matters stood there was no hope ~ democratic success
IN November Having majority or the members OF the
Supreme Court the Democratic leaders therefore, open
l. boastcd that the law would he declared ugc9nstI
mans FOR the November election The were pushed
ont OF their order i'm the Supreme last week and
tLs Democrnc Jniprs took steps to rnilroad them
through Arguments werc filed and Governor lioay Went
Last to consult with the Democrat managers At the
same time the following newstem appeared In the Col
umbus newspapers: Edgar NJ johnson Of Cincinnati.
Governor Hoad- law partner aud one Of the attorneys
I'm the Scott Law cases today bet $50 TO so that the
scott Law would he declared unconditional and offered
to bet 800 $50 that hc would wilt his bet He also
offered o bot $500 TO 5000 that the Law would be de
cared unconstitutional He could get no takers 10 the
last Offers In most states this would De considered
an insult to the court
The Democratic Judges have oheyed orders.
however. aud declared the law uncOlstl-
tutioual The result will undoubtedly he the
rrverse what the Democrats expect In the late can
nas Judge ohnson, who chief Justirc of the supreme
Cnuri had previously decided that the law cOnstltu
,lnnai was n candidate for reelection lie had the
united. opposition NJ the liquor dealers aud yet was not
only au,ce.sful but $3.50 votes ahead ~ the Rep
lean candidate for Secretary ef state That
was a plain approval ~ his cour'e. The
gtetc will now have to return tn the liquor dealers me
millions ~ dollars oyed In taxes under the law lhat
will mean An enormous ihcira-r IN TAXATION Ihior
ilgea iuncd I'm the decision to-day. aud two disschtoI
The ,eri,inn declares tho cntiru law unconstitutional
n viii not only do away With the collection o the ht thi
year un, small portion ~ which has hroh rald nut "
viii make It necessary for aN corporations tu
RAY back tho amount witch was oolleoich
nnrr tho law laqt year. together with Interest " WIZ
hanktupt nearly an tho rlirH In tho Wnto, - tho eloA
nt Tho year WIRE made undut the Impression thhl t" law
Was constitutional aud would hihs Into thr TREASURES
of thn counties and rtuH certain amount ~ mnhcf
In Columbus between Hih,nnn hhd Hah"'" Wofr
realized from tho tax Last }rat AMI none nf hr amount
has hren paid ha year In consequence al the Nalr
DrpartmrnIr are behind IN the payment of salaries I'VE
and three months Other crH Ia The state are hlmal}
situated The great question with municipal AMI county
authorities II how they viii SECURE Immediate fele n
trf embarrassing situation, the Legislature not helhs III
sessOn t. grant authority