Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-05-22
A PLEA For LOCAL OPTION.
uiehlend News,

NhikHN'iu ANNWHl
The Republican State Convention win
be held at Springfield, Wednesday, June
1I1h, aud II is time the Republican press
and The leaders Of the party should discuss
and consider what ground the party shall
take In the approaching campaign, in re-
said 10 questions affecting the welfare OF
the people OF The Slate, and OF these none
is more important than the question, what
can be done by wise legislation 10 check
The rapidly growing evils OF the retail
liquor traffic, which has been left pracii-
caily free aud without any legal resh ainI
Iy The open and shameless subserviency OF
the Democratic Supreme Court and Leg
islaiure TO the liquor interest, in setting
aside The Scott Law, and leaving tie peo.
pie without even the partial protection
afforded by that law, during the short
lime IL continued in force. The more
lhoushtfully we consider the question.
The more firmly we are convinced that its
true sol luton lies in applying the principle
OF local oplion-tliat Is. Of leaving the reg.
ulaiion OF the traffic TO be settled by the
people of each loacaliiy for Themselves,
hv the decision OF a majority OF the quail
fled voters, either at a special election 10
he held for the purpose, or by petition.
whichever form mav be preferred. This
would enable The people of every city,
town, village, or township, 10 entirely pro-
| hib. the traffic where majority ul The
voters are opposed 10 il. and il is safe TO
say would result IN gradually bringing
about prohibition in the greater portion of
The State, outside the larger cities. On
The other hand ii would enable the people
OF those cities, where the majority may be
in favor OF the traffic, TO permit it under
such regulation and taxai ion rs they may
see proper 10 prescribe.
Three years ago, the lower House OF our
Legislature. which was then largely Re
publican in both branches, came within ten
or Twelve votes of passing local option
law, introduced hy Mr. Quinbv, of Clinton
county. he bill received the unanimous
surpor, Of the Republican members from
nil the rural districts and was only defeat
ed ',y the opposition Of Republicans rep
resenling The lI"ge ci,ies Most of them
gave as 'I'ei' reason for opposing it, that
they doubled the consiiiutionaliiy OF II
local opi'on law nnder our present Con-
siiinti"n. hul l"is was generally regarded
at the line a. merely an excuse. The
Democrats voted almost soiidly against
the measn'e, only lhree or four voting will,
the ltepn'li,ans Tor lhe bill.
We believe thar a bolt and manly dec.
la'a'ion in ihe Republican platform in
favor oi @ise aud efficient local option
law, would draw thousands OF votes to ,he
Repiihlican .icket NEXT fall from the RANKS
of the Prohibition party, and prevent The
danger of ,l'al party running separate
legislative tickets in close Republican
counties, which would probably result il,
he defeat of The Republican candidates.
As ihe next Legislature will have u
Senator 10 elect, TO succeed Hon. Jol.
sherman. whose term expires March 4
1887, il is OF the utmost importance that
there should be good wo, king Republi.
Can m"jorty in both branches, as well az 3
decisive majority on our State ticket, We
hope The Republican press will speak ouI
on this question before The meeting OF The
Conven''nn, in order at wise and harmo
uion, ac'ion may be taken by that bod;
and plaiforM adopted which will NEE
he hearty approval of the Republican
misses, and lead the pa,tv to certain an
overwhelming victory in October.