Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-06-13
LOOK TO THE LEGI>ItTIRE.

Now that the State Convention has been
held and that an impulse has been given
to the Republican cause by the action it
has taken and the spirit which was mani
tested during its sittings, the Republicans
of the State will do well to take in hand
the matter of nominating candidates TO
the next Legislature We must not only
have Republican governor and we will,
but we must have Republican LegisIa-
ture, not simply because We must re-elect
Senator Sherman, but because very i'm
portant matters will come up for action at
the next session. There is a demand for
wise and effective legislation on the liquor
traffic, which, according to the Republican
platform, is to be regulated and taxed ;
and it is our opinion that these processes
should be pursued to extermiuation. We
should select men with level heads, good
consclences and strong purposes, who will
so amend present laws, or enact such new
ones, that legislation can be made effec.
tive. Much greater progress has been
made in England than IN this
country in the application Of law
to the liquor traffic for the simple
and only reason that the op-
pouents OF the traffic, throu .hout the
country, have united in asking Parliament
to enact only such laws as can be backcd
up by public sentiment, and which, there
fore, can be enforced As a result Of this,
all liquor laws in Great. Britain every
where, in London as well as in the smaller
towns, are respected and obeyed We
hear Of no difficulty in England in pro
curing the enforcement of liquor law
When a bill is enacted its enforcement is
a toregone conclusion. Then, when one
step is taken the opponents OF the traffic
in Great Britain take another, aud demand
something more, and get it! But if they
had tried to step to the top OF the ladder
at once they would have failed, utterly and
disastrously
What we need, first of all, is to cultivate
a respect for law and to create public
sentiment that is honest phiIau,hropic
aggressive and correct. And our next
Legislature can do much in the way Of se-
curing universal respect for law, by en-
acting laws worthy OF respect Thal this
may be done we should elect as mem 5ers
OF the Senate and House, men OF expert.
ence and judgment, as well a. OF con
science and heart; men who can take les
sons from the past and apply their
teachings to the present; men who are not
merely wrangling partssns but broad and
patriotic citizens as well, whose purpose will
be to legislate in the interests of the peo-
pie. Hence, the county of Clark should
send to the Senate and to the House two
as wise, able, experienced and capable
men as can be persuaded to take the posi-
tons men who will not seek nominations
or desire them, but who will accept them
in obedience to the fiat of their fellow
citizens aud accept the duties Of their po-
sitions as a public trust.
There are several matters Of great i'm.
portance to come before the Legislature
whose members will be elected next Octo-
Der, and we ought to have assembled, next
January, the best and strongest body OF
men who have ever assembled in the Ohio
State House. Let Clark county set a good
example to her sister counties in the men
selected to represent her 1t will be pre-.
eminently becoming in her to do so, as she
now occupies most conspicuous and hon
orable position.