The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-30
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Local Option.

70 tho Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
In Saturdays Journal, in an article on "Con-
troll of the Liquor Traffic" the writer says the
law combining the four features, high license
civil damages, local option, prohibition of sale OF
intoxicating liquors to habitual drunkards,
would probably do all the good it is possible to
= accomplish by any law. He has placed for the
third feature in the law that which should be
Rrstr-local option. I do not believe in high
license as it will only tend to a monopoly in the
srade, and build up whisky aristocracy. l be-
1ieye a man has as good right to enter any
legal enterprise with $40 as a man that has $500
The liquor traffic is a legalized business, and is
not man as morally fit to run saloon on
keg OF beer as one who is able to buy fine wines
and brandyl 1t is not the doggeries and
low saloons that make the drunkards, but the
respectable saloons and drug stores Of course
the word respectable does not belong to the
business, but use it for convenience sake. The
drunkard does not begin at the bottom or the
ladder and go up, but generally with the top
round and goes down. DIR. Crosby, of New York.
advocates high license, and the brewers are so
pleased over the idea that they are going to use
their Influence" with the Legislature to secure
such measure thus hoping to decrease whisky
drinking" How absurd. How solicitous for
the peoples welfare are these gentle Christian
brewers Not man will work for such meas.
IRE If ne does not expect to be benefited person
!. ally By It, by crowding out some poorer wretch
and monopolizing the trade. 1t is not natural
for man to work against his own
interest; therefore, the brewer knows that high
license will not decrease whisky drinking
Besides il is the money in this traffic that is the
power. If it were not for the money involved
in it, it would be foe easily vanqushed. 1t is
needless to say that l am Republican, and
have undying faith in the principles of that
grand old party; but do hope it will take some
decisive and satisfactory steps with regard to
the temperance question, for no matter how
much we might wish it quieted, it is like Banquos
ghost-lt will not down. 1t is the greatest living
issue of the day, and as the Republican party is
the father of all reforms. why not acknowledge
and adopt this offspring Of the human heart, the
desire to bring about the prohibition of the
1iqnor traffic? If we could frame law upon
this question, which we would insure to be more
successful than any other, we would revive and
revise the old Baxter local option law; that no
license should be issued except on petition
signed by a majority of adult persons of the
township, and women to be recognized and re-
quired as persons" to sign said petitions
While believe that most women are just as
strong in their political prejudices as men, yet
they are the chief sufferers from the liquor traf-
fc, and If their signatures should be required to
carry the saloon business, they would be very
positive in declining the privilege. If woman
could only have that much power in controlling
this traffic, the majority of women would offer
prayer of thanksgiving and praise; for then the
morning would begin to dawn, and we would
step from darkness into light. Now, gentlemen,
let us help you to bear the yoke of this political
burden, and you would say, Our yoke is
easy and our burden is light" Now I apprehend,
you will say such a law would not be constitu-
tional. Is it Impossible to make anything con-
gtitutional that will be to the interest Of human
ity? Az
Upton, Dec. 90