The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-17


sentiment of the State undoubtedly de-
mands, there would seem no good reason
why temperance people in Ohio may
not consistently work the present law,
and secure whatever good results are
possible, enforcing its provisions to the
letter, and educating the State grad
ually to the point where constitutional
prohibition may be secured.
In the present aspect of affairs in
Ohio, we agree substantially with the
following paragraph from the news
paper organ of the Baptists in Ohio,
which declares its position in the fol-
lowing paragraph:
sit is asked whether the Journal and
Messenger is in favor of the Scott law,
we answer unhesitatingly, Yes, we are
in favor of it as the best thing to be
got just now.' We are not satisfied
with it; we do not believe that it will
greatly decrease the amount of liquor
drank, nor will it mitigate the woes of
the drunkard's family. But it is sign
of the times, and it will cause those who
impose upon society its heaviest bur-
den to do something to offset the evil
wrought by their business. 1t tends to
put the financial burden where it prop
erly belongs, and tends to. in some
degree, decrease the number Of places
where intoxicating liquors are sold.
Only let this law become well estab-
lished, recognized as beyond peradven-
ture the law of the State, and then we
shall be ready to do all within our power
for the securement of prohibitory
law as the only effective method of de-
stroying the greatest present enemy of
our social fabric, the greatest enemy of
domestic and social happiness"
1t is on this line that many of the
temperance workers in Ohio are now Or
ganizing. In May last conference of
prominent temperance people was held
at Columbus and an Association organ
lied, not to !" fight" the Dow law,
but to direct the attention of the people
to the possibility of securing prohibit
ton under it's enactments, and to insist
on vigc .eus campaign for the enforce
ment of the law. This Association in
cludes such well known temperance
workers as Lewis Miller and President
Cone, of Akron Prof. Warren Darst,
of the Ohio Normal University: Rev.
J. A. Snodgrass, Youngstown; J. o.
Converse, editor Geauga Republican,
Chardon; Rev John Pearson, HILLSIDE
70, o.; Jason McVay, president Voters
Union, Columbus Gen. S. II. Hurst,
Chillicothe Rev. HI. B. Elliott, D. D.,
of Troy E. w. Metcalf, Elyria, and
Rev. Washington GLADDEN. and Rev.
Mr.. Hutsinpillar, of Columbus. At
this conference resolutions were adopt
ed calling for union of temperance
forces creating central committee of
seven to awaken temperance sentiment,
effect permanent local organizations
and to raise funds to carry on its work
in every municipality where it is posi-
BILE, the closing Of saloons on Sunday
and such other wholesome restrictions
as may be possible in all other locali-
ties. Among the resolutions adopted
was this:
Resolved, That as a conference, we
especially commend the local option fea-
ture of the Dow liquor law, popularity
known as the McConnellsville ordinance
clause, and urge the temperance people
of the State to make all possible use of
this law in the interest OF the public
good by securing the complete suppress
sion of the saloon traffic.
1t is, unfortunately, too much to hope
that there will be any such concert Of
action among the temperance hosts of
Ohio as this new organization contem-
plates, but the effort unquestionably is
in the right direction. And it shows
that there is solid difference of opin-
ion in regard to the operation of the
Dow law in the State. That law is
now to be strenuously fought in the
courts of the State by the liquor deal
ers, and next fall will probably witness
a campaign against it; and if the de-
cision is against its constitutionality
free rum" will again reign in Ohio.
We adhere to our previously expressed
opinion that this will be most lament
able condition of affairs, and if temper
ance people are found fighting on the
side of the saloon autocrats, it will in
deed be unfortunate. The better
way clearly is to ''work the present law
and get all the good out of it possible"
enforcing all laws for the suppression
of the traffic, and gradually working up
to constitutional prohibition for the
entire State.
Prof. Swing is entitled to honorable