The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-08-02

sb'e to prohibition or unfavorable TO
Democracy because of the non.sub.
mission OF the questions when under
the constitution it is contemplated
that each senator and representative
will vete on all these questions &C
cording to the dictates of ma
Jority OF his immediate con
stltuents and independent Of the sentl-
mont OF the rest of the State.
1t seems to me that the only fair is
sue raised by the non-submission of
this amendment would DO one in favor
of q constitution less restrictive in its
features. Taking the vote OF the last
Legislature as q basis, those who favor
prohibition would have to secure only
three or four senatorial districts to
have the question submitted, and this
would hardly require the formation of
new party.
In this and in sill other things our
constitution tends to the true Demo.
cratic idea Of localizing government.
The enforcement of laws il made to
devolve upon counties end depends
upon local sentiment, which elects
the prosecuting and other officer and
furnishes the grand juries TO inquire
OF 1tlenses. The trainers Of our con-
stttuti0n were no doubt induced to
embody the local option idea in that
instrument from a belief that what
aYor Legislation might be had on the
subject, that it would only be en-.
forced in those localities fav0ring it.
Whatever may DO the result of the
present agitation l am sure that when
We abandon local option measures we
will check the present rapid and re-
tional growth OF temperance senti-
ment Even st. John admits that
since prohibition Legislation went into
effect 10 Kansas. that the sales of spir-
titus frumenti have become very
large.
II 3 majority Of the people want the
constitution changed N any partiou-
lar they SHOULD have chance to
change it, but | doubt il those who
favor prohibition have any we'll de-
fined idea OF the character OF amend
ment wanted. II the constitution is
changed, | believe that no other in-
flexible rule should be adopted in the
place OF tbe present provision, bat
tnat the constitution should leave it
matter Of legislation. Our cOnstitu-
! ton is in many respects an able instru
| ment, butts not confined to doclara.
ton in favor Of certain inalionabla
rights, and an enunciation OF certain
fundamental principles Of govern
ment, but it goes further and legis-
lateB on many questions, and by pro.
Viding u difficult mode OF amendment
virtually cuts the people Off from
further consideration Of thOso ques.
tiOns,
The amendment heretofore pending
| before the Legislature would tend
more to suppress the manufacture OF
native beer and wine, but the "mOdical
purposes" clause would no doubt
make the health OF Texas show up
badly in statistical tables. This or any
other exception in prohibition laws is
more favorable to whisky than TO beer
and wine, because when man oyados
such law he gets the most siimulant
| possible in the least sized package.
[ believe it would be bettor for all
concerned If this question was within
the control Of the legislative power,
instead o. being fixed by cons,itu-
| tional provision practically inileXible.
am glad TO find that my acts az a
public servant FIND favor with one os
full Of age and experience as yourself,
but assure you that / am not q csndi.
datO for any Office. Yours truly,
j. GIBBS;