The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-02-17
Local Option.

EDITOR CLARION: Within a few DAYS
past, | have heard il said, over and over
that prohibitionists are divided among
themselves on the question of Local OPP
| ton" Having been connected with The
Prohibition movement from its incipiency
in Mississippi, | may be permitted to say
few things about il. | shall say ONLY
what | know to be true.
There il a kind of Local Option" abont
which there is practically no difference OF
opinion among us. The convention of last
summer, of which so much was said as "a
It's numbers, earnestness and dignity. vote
ed the sentiment of prohibitionists. That
body declared in favor of Local Option
by counties, without disturbing existing
restrictive legislation. The design il "a
substitute the ballot for the present sys-
TEN OF petition In counties where the
question has not been adjndicated by an
other form of procedure. This is the voice
oil three hundred prohibtionists in con-
vention assembled, and it is certain that
no law which Is not on this line will meet
the wishes OF probibitionists
There are doubtlese some who would
be willing to surrender all existing probib-
itory legislation in order to secure the
privilege of a vote by counties: but thew
do not represent the the great mass of their
associates. | take it that members of the
Legislature, now in session have heard
enough from home to be convinced OF the
correctness OF the foregoing statement. |.
may be taken "a settled that Prohibition
lists Will never consent to abandon the re-
fnlts OF their labors. They have snen,
time and money under regulations not nj
their choice, but such as the other s;de
would consent to, and now they do NOT
propose to go back Ii anv of the laeaIi-
ties now enjoying prohibition desire q
repeal OF their special Law, thew can mat
.heir wishes known, and it will be nronar
lor the Legislature to act in ali s1ch
cases. But to unsettle the question. wbers
II mas been adiudicated BY The voice of the
people under approved methods with
out the consent OF the communities effect.
ed, would be outrageous indeed.
ii the present Legislature will nass :.
lau which will virtually substitute the
oaIio' ior The cumbersome aud err
pe"s'e peution system, making the limit
county and properly an..a;.a
the evil where sold this will ha saa
as manner of settling the ouest;on - ~
II is sun open. If, however. Probib;,;on
ISIS snail be again put off, il is clear H.,
.ney VIII be forced TO organize with a v;am
y. 70 making themselves felt. AS hodv
they would deplore the necessity to seus s.
Iong existing ties but men of conv;ct;on
cannot always wait. sincerely trnst tha,
wise counseis will prevail. Wehaye reach
90 a crisis IN the prohibition move. and !,
my ne, mat we are nearing a crisis in the
political affairs of the State - the
! may say, that the present dom;r.
parry, nor any other, is bound 10 nra.an.
me saloons. They have no right 10 80.
IN 2 civilized State. All leeislas;or Ai; :
against them, because they are against ,hs =
o.a'e- Legislation ought 10 be SO fran ,as
4. 20 Iavor every reform aiming to renrass
called eas slane II any party shall Judge i,sels
.houssu Od % protect the saloons, nany
will Judge that such party i Mss neess'ssIppi
.rol great State, which ought to . - con-
o = III a.s arms OF protection over the hamaa
q the people. am one Of them MONIES
respectfully, J. B. GAnBRrrI