Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-08-24
The Dew LAW.


To the Editor of the Globe Republics
The Republican state convention, held at
Springfield in June, 1855, passed resolu-
ton fayoring the re-enactment of the Scott
law. The republican legislature, chosen at
the election following. carried out the in
tentions of that convention by the enact
ment Of the Dow law. Whatever may be the
estimate of persons or parties concerning
the character of this law. there can be no
difference of opinion as to the fact that it
is a republican measure, and that for its
workings, good or bad, the republican party
is rightfully held responsible.
At the time of the enactment of each
of these laws, the republican party
held that, under present circumstances, the
provisions and restrictions on the liquor
traffic, contained in the same, were the best
and most practical measures that could be
then enacted. Ana the writer of this paper
fully agreed with this opinion. A states
man will aim to do the best thing that can
be done, on any given subject, this year.
But the legislation of one year may be the
best thing that can be done the following
year. That of the former year may have
prepared the way for an advanced step for
the year following. For example, Section
> of the Dow law declares the sale Of
intoxicating liquors OH Sunday TO be unlaw-
ful. and imposes a fine of not over one hun
dred dollars, and Imprisonment in the coui-
ty Jail of not over thirty days for a yiola-
ton of this provision. This is just As II
should be. But, this section further provides
THAT nothing in this section shall prevent
the council of any municipal corporations
in the state from regulating and controlling,
on Sunday, the sale of beer and native
wine, in such manner as may by ordinance
be provided" Now, the advance step rec-
commended is that this last provision may
be dropped out and that the republican
state convention about TO assemble at Co
lumbus, shall SO direct as vOicing the pub
lie sentiment of the state, Possibly no
municipal corporation in the state will un-
dertake TO interfere with the previous pro-
visions of this section. But il is better not
to present the temptation to attempt to
regulate this traffic ON Sunday. And 1t
may well be asked, Why should city
or town council be authorized to regulate
and control the liquor traffic on Sunday,
when all other business houses are shut up
by law on that day. Have we as republicans
ever looked this inconsistency sQuarely In
the face? If the dry goods stores and
groceries are shut up by law, there Is rea-
son for il and who will deny that reason
for shutting up the saloon on Sunday, eX-
lists, and of infinitely greater force? Here
is an inconsistency that We republicans may
endeavor to explain, but It will be IN vain.
For any right-minded man will apply the
rule of p0rtioTi, and say. II other bus
mess houses are forbidden by law to be
open on Sunday, much more should the sa-
loon be closed. Then let the republican
convention take care that our platform
shall not be blurred by this dark mark. Let
the convention
Resolve, that the Dow law should be so
amended as to exclude the provision which
authorizes the council of a municipal cor
poration to regulate and control the sale OF
beer and native wine on Sunday. Even II
no city OF town in the state will undertake
so to regulate and control this traffic, yet,
let it be so written in the bond
Again, this section provides that any
municipal corporation shall have full power
to regulate, restrain and prohibit ale, beer
and pCrter houses and other places where
intoxicating liquors are sold at retail for
any purpose or in any quantity, other than
as provided for in section eight Of this act.
Now. this provision means but one change,
and that is embraced in the following reso-
luton, which, in my Judgment should be
adopted by the convention, viz:
Resolved. That the republican party IA
yors the principles of local option in coun-
ties. townships aud municipal corporations,
the same TO be expressed by majority of
the votes cast therein at any election held
under the law.
Now, We live under a republican govern
ment. the foundation principle of which is
that the majority shall rule. We cannot go
back upon this principle. 1t Is
the very rock on which our
government stands - the shte qua
non the thing without which our govern
ment cannot exist. Who. then. shall object
to the application of the principles of local
option to cities, towns and counties? The
voice of the people is the voice of God,
and who shall object to such an arbiter?
Let the convention pass the two resolu-
tions above in substance, and it will be ap-
proved by the moral sentiment Of the pee-
pie of Ohio. 1t will present a ground upon
which all the true temperance forces, those
acting from principle, may stand. Ii viii
and harmonic the intelligent
public thought of the state, as keeping
abreast with advancing conservatism, and
il will place the republican party on basis
of certain success, and above ali, il will be
doing the right thing. L. q. Dial