The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-01-15
The Legislature Meets.

The adjourned session OF the Gener'
al Assembly of Ohio met in Columbus
OH the 9Th inst, and Governor HOad-
iy's message was read. The document
is of such extreme length as to pre-
clude its publication in most of the
large city dailies. 1t would occupy
sixteen of our columns in fine type
1t contains many good points, touch
ing upon all matters of interest to the
State. The Governor dweliS at length
on the liquor question, and believes
that the Executive Department owes
the duty of implicit obedience Ia the
decisions of the Supreme Court in ali
cases, and treating, therefore, the ari
nf 1883, commonly known A. Ihe Scott
law, az constitutional, moreover, per
ceiving some of the heneticial features
of license law, recommended, III my
last inaugural address, that the taxa
tiOn imposed by il should be graduated
in proportion to the benefits enjoyed
and the practical workings of the law
brought into cousonanee with justice
and natural equity"
The message furthermore states the
people of Ohio demand 3 change, and
three plans are proposed, as follows :
First Prohibition to be az, ompllsh-
ed by constitutional amendment and
subsequent legal enactment. Believ-
ing that the evil against which we
have 10 contend is in the abuse, not in
the use, in excessive, not moderate Use
of Intoxicating drink. I would moi
not advise its submission to a popular
vote. its adoption would be an inva
sion of individual liberty, which no
majority has the moral right 10 pre-
scribe to All unwilling minority.
Secondly-The repeal of the sched-
ule section eighteen, which fOrbids IL
censes and empowers the General AS
sembly to provide by law only against
the evils resulting from the sale of in
| toxicating liquors. Such repeal would
leave the General Assembly free to
prohibit, to license, or to adopt free
trade. In short, to fight the evil in
any way or let it alone. The objection
to this plan of action is: First, that
it equally permits free trade or prohi'
bition; ond, secondly, that 1t settles
nothing. On the contrary, it makes
the temperance question the control
ing issue in Ohio politics for the flu
ture. Doubtless this would be better
than to adopt prohibition as perma.
nent system by a constitutional amend
ment, for it does leave the people free
to contend biep nially against the in
reference by sumptuary laws with
their habits of life, and to sustain the
power and purity of individual self
control; but respectfully submit that
there is still wiser plan of action viz
Thirdly-The submission to a popu
lar vote of a constitutional amendmen
providing for q license system will
| graduated taxation. The choice i
really between license and prohibition
Doubt cannot be entertained that
we fail to secure an enectlve system y
restricted license and taxation, prohi
bition will follow. The advantages o
a license system are obvious. The re
lief furnished to the tax payers il
1888 by the Scott law, may be cited a
one of its benefits. 1t supplies tn
money required to pay the expense
caused to the Commonwealth by ex
cessive drinking. 1t does more. Ss
looms can he kept away from situation
where they give offense, the hours AN
methods of the traffic can be remedied
and generally this business, while pr0
terted in its lawful exercise, can b
kept in that strict control necessary {
preserve its usefulness, with the mia
imum of danger.