The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-24
THE OHIO CAMPAIGN.
Richard Smiths Hopeful Views-The Scott
Law-Senator Sherman.

Cincinnati Special to New York Tribune.
q While Richard Smith, of the Commercial Ca
zette, seldom seeks to impress upon others his
knowledge of Ohio politics, he is of the best
4 Informed members of the Republican party. De-
voted more to the business interests of his jour
nal, his views do not generally find their way into
the editorial columns by his own expression, and
yet when party managers in Cincinnati consult
on the conduct of campaign, Richard Smith
q forms one of coterie which directs the party
4 policy He is not we'll known to the partisan
Z element. and seldom takes part in active politics
. He was candidate for Congress years ago. but
was defeated by Peter Strader; and two years
ago was delegate to the State convention at
Z Columbus, much against his habit and perhaps
against his wish. Mr.. Smith consented TO give
4 the Tribune some words concerning this year S
4 Ohio campaign.
] Ohio Republicans" he said "were never
more harmonious than they are this year.
! There is in my mind no doubt that the State
= ticket and Legislature will be carried"
3 And what effect will there be from the pro-
3 hibition movements"
Il do not believe that DR.. Leonard, the pro-
hibition candidate for Governor, will poll over
4 polled in this State. The same eXtravagant
y claims of strength are made every year, and the
s votes when counted are seldom in the increase
While l q friend of temperance cannot see
that there is any good obtained by this socalled
prohibition movement 1t is not practicable,
q nor can it ever be made so in Ohio. 1t has been
! tried in Iowa with the cheering result of more
saloons than under the old law The truth is
that this prohibition agitation has set back the
cause of temperance more than can be calcula-
ted. The people who uphold it are no doubt
sincere, but they think wrong and without
judgment to suppose that a prohibition clause
! in the Constitution would wipe out the liquor
! traffic"
'As friend of temperance, what do you sug-
gest!7
] For myself I would favor license; judi
clous license regulation would do much toward
restraining the evils Of the traffic and contribute
8 to the public good in revenues. The last Legis
4 lature did not pass license law because the
Constitution inhibits it. Even if the license
amendment had been submitted it would not
have carried the State this fall. 1t was beaten
two years ago. and a second trial would have cost
$40 600, without results Still, | think, in time
the people will adopt some such law. To do
I it. the anti-hcense clause Of the Constitution
should be stricken out allowing the Legislature
I to act as the people direct"
''Do you urge any objections to the Scott law"
mo. 1t was a good law and was fast becom-
! ing very acceptable to the great mass of people
! There was no doubt that the Democratic Su-
preme Court was prOstituted to declare the law
unconstitutional. Otherwise it would have been
I in force today"
7 win the Republican Legislature if one is
4 elected, restore that law"
The Republican platform has promised it
and | suppose the promise will be made good"
biton idea, Mr. Smith said eve have laws
4 enough in Ohio to regulate the liquor traffic if
they were only enforced 1t is an nfractiOn of
3 law to sell liquor to be drunk where sold There
is also statute providing that none but good
I liquors shall be sold and prescribing the meth
obs of inspection These laws are dead letters.
1 If they cannot be enforced, what will you do with
a prohibitory clause in the Constitution! Only a
confusion of business and a final outcome of
perjury and deception. To refer again to the
Scott law: it was a wholesome measure of re-
straint in closing up these miserable little dog
geries which sell the most abominable liquor. |
was on the jury that tried Hartnet, the MUIR
derer, who killed his wife and children. 1t was
: in the testimony that he frequented two very low
whisky shops near his home, which sold whisky
by the drink almost at the government tax rate
81 gallon. We'll, it does not need me to say
what sort OF liquor it was 1t crazed him and
every one else who drank it. Now the Scott
law would close up such shops as that and do
society considerable amount Of good
1 IF the Republicans elect the legislature who
will be chosen senator?'
''Oh, there is only one man in Ohio who
should be chosen and that is John Sherman"
/ us he candidate for the Senator
| Eyes, he is willing to go back, and the Ohio
Republicans want aim there. He is the abest
man in Ohio and for that matter, anywhere"
Then you nominate him for 1eSSF
Il think he is the strongest man we have"
4 SIS there, then, no truth in the statement that
Foster will be candidate against Shermanp
There was considerable talk about il, but
have been satisfied within the last three days
that Foster is not and vii! not be a candidate
have received some letters which satisfy
ne of that. Governor Foster is willing to wait,
and If we have the Legislature four years hence,
when Senator Payne's term expires. Foster may
then be elected"