Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-06-12
THE VOTERS UNION.

THE VOTERS UNION.
The Voters Union was organized in
1888 when what was known ns the Second
Amendment was submitted 10 the people
of Ohio, and which received 32l 900 votes,
admitted b, the enemies of Prohibition,
but which IN reality received a great many
more. The object Of the organization ls
TO secure the prohibition Of the manuiac--
ture, sale and use Of liquor in Ohio, and
the Union will continue ita organization
until tie object for which it sprang into
existence ia secured.
The Voters Union met in State Con-
ven,ion at Columbus on Wedne sdny of last
week to resume it's campaign for consti-
tniional prohibition, and over one hnnd-
red representative men were present from
all points Of the State. 1t wns impossible
for Hon. Mills Gardner, President Of the
Union to be present, bn, letter was read
from that gentleman, which may be re-
and the sentiment. of the letter were heart
lily and unanimously indor-ed by the Con-
ventiou. The following ia an extract from
his letter:
1.-THE present condition Of things In reference
to the liquor traffic in Ohio can not be allowed
to continue The people OF Ohio, without re-
gard TO party relations outside OF the large cit
les, have but one mind ON this subject. They
are determined that the power and influence Of
liquors shall be broken. The attempt to run
the gubernatorial and Legislative campaigns
this year in Ohio ON national issues. without
reference to the liquor traffic can not succeed by
either or any party. Ohio has the worst con-
dition of affairs in reference to the drink trafc
of any people on the face OF the earth, and both
the great political parties are equally to blame
| for It, The people OF the state, without refer
ence to party lines. demand to be and will be
| heard on this question.
The object of this convention il to inspire the
voters Of the state of ull parties, to make this
question paramount. To lift II entirely above
| old party lines and to elect General Assembly
that will, with manliness and tirmness, take
| hold of this question and deal with it In the
| interests of the people and not OF the saloons.
| We urge the necessity of the better element Of
both the great par ties. for once, to rise above
| party prejudices and partisan success and see to
1t that men are elected to the General Assembly
| who are right on this question. Nine-tenths Of
| the voters OF both the Republican and Demo.
| cratic parties are opposed to the saloons and
their power. and would gladly see them de.
| stroyed. This is evidenced by the vote on the
| constitutional amendment two years ago. Here
tofore party feelings and pIejudices have re.
| L
can not do it longer II either party, or both
persist in nominating men who ignore this
question, let all the temperance men of nll par
ties unite and defeat them and elect men who
are in sympathy with them and who will hon.
estly represent them
The temperance question in Ohio is OF much
more importance now thnn the question OF who
shall be United States Senator. Let TINT ques.
tion now be subordinate to the greater one OF
protection to our homes, and to the the restoration
wilful Disregard of the law as is manifest In our
| towns and cities, must be changed. undny
must cease to be II day OF drunkenness. crime
and riot. Newspapers must he compelled to
yield obediance to the law which prohibits the
publishing of lottery schemes and games of
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette and Enquirer.
| Theaters and shows, us well MS saloons and other
| unnecessary business must be closed on sunday.
| These things nrc absolutely necessary, and must
be done. Let this convention give such ex,
preston ON these questions that the leaders oi
the great politcal parties may see their duty
clear and act accordingly.
The Union in accordance with the spirit
ot Mr.. Gardner's letter adopted the iol-
lowing resolutions, clearly settlng forth
the object Of the organization, and the line
OF policy marked out for the coming cam
paign:
the State to prohibit the manufacture md sale
Of Intoxicating liquors as beverage, and be
lieving that no method OF dealing with the
traffic short of prohibition will ever rid society
OF Its enormous evils, and believing that con
stitutionnl prohibition supplemented by sntua
tory law Is the snrest method OF accompiishint
question Is paramount in importance to any
other question now before the people.
Rcsolped-That we reaffirm the basis Of union
of this organization us set forth In Article ~ o
the Constitution.
The objects of this union shall be as follows:
SECTION I. To organize and hold together ths
second amendment voters Of Ohio not In th'
interests of any political party, but for the pur
pose of securing the complete overthrow OF thu
SEC. q To keep up the agitation of the tenn
perance question with the prohibition OF the
drink traiiic as the objective point by means o
increasing the circulation OF temperance paper
and by meetings and public addresses.
SEC. 8. TO attend and urge the attendance o
the law and order voters of every political part,
at their caucuscs and primary elections, and I,
secure tie selection OF delegates to municipal
county, district and state conventions who nr
uyOweily i'm favor OF abOlishing the saloon sys
TEN. that they may thereby succeed In nomin
ating candidates for the various Offices. legisln
| tive, judicial and executive, who VIII not truck
| le to the saloon power, but who Will have tn
conscientious convictions and moral courage {
ennct and enfore laws which VIII protect on on
homes and the best interests OF society from III
| ravagcs Of the drink trafiic.
SEC 4. To oppose every attempt TO draw tn
temperance oree OF is oa s,e nr !" anx 5ne
of that system with an unalterable aud uncom
promising opposition.
sEc S. TO secure judges and clerks of eleciio
in every voting precinct In the state upo
whom we can rely for an honest count
SEC. 6. To make every effort possible Z
secure TO the voters Of Ohio submission. with
| ont complication, OF the prOhibltOry amend
ment 10 our state constitution: ..,.
SEC. 7. 10 this end we invite the co1peratio
of all temperance organizations ana all person
| who are In sympathy with It's objects.
Rcsoited-1'hat we pledge ourselves ns men
bers of the Voters Union, and We ask all friend
| tam nnrun M ihFnnuhnut
with us In this purpose. To vote Tor sncn eann
dates for the General Assembly as VIII unequi,
Ocully commit themselves To the policy 0i snl
| mitting without complication, To vote OF IN
people at the earliest possible date constiti
tional prohibition amendment and to supper
Rssolted-That we ask the General Assembl,
|, In submitting any amendment 70 tne eYnss y,
. tuition. TO provide by law for contest OIL, o, "
vote in case there shall be reason 10 suspe'
fraud or error In the count.
- A committee OF tour was appointed
:. prepare q memorial enbodyins the spir
n Of the foregoing resolutions, "nd Pre-e'
a the same to the political conventions I
N they assemble.
'e Officers we're elected for the enSiin
~ year. as follows:
Vice President, ]. A. +. Me0aw. J.. D.. Toled
III Counsellor, Professor q. w. shnrtien. oberli
Dr Corresponding secretary. y. y, Turher colun
:. bus; Recording Secretary. J, J. Ashenhurs
~ Wooster: Treasurer. Michael Hahn. Columbus.
. No lover Of law and order, no voter
= Ohio, be he Republican or Democrat, WI
- has the welfare OF the State at heart wi
:, oppose the privilege being extended To Il
y, ~ people Of voting upon quealion h Sa'
)" vital impor,. Il remains 10 be seen VII,
:, the conventions Of the two great part
~ i'm a. ..f,k ,l,a .nanlnril