Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-07-16

publican party of New Jersey and of the
United States, in conference assembled,
declare:
/. That all existing laws and ordinances,
designed and enacted fer the regulation,
restriction, or suppression of the traffic in
intoxicating drinks, should he impartial
~ and vigorously enforced, so long as
they remain laws ; whenever experience
and wisdom indicate that these laws are
unwise or ineffective, they should be
amended, or repealed.
3. That ii is neither wise, practical or
necessary to insist that legislation on tins
subject should be restricted to the total
prohibition of the liquor traffic we equal
" approve and favor the strict enforce
rnent and execution of all existing laws,
designed to restrict the evils of ntemper-
ance, the granting of local option, the es
adjustment of the highest possible rate of
license, or tax, for the sale OF liquors
where licences are granted or taxes inn
posed-believng that the free choice of all
these methods should be made available,
and that only by actual experiment and
practical trial can it be determined What
method of combating the evil and effect
ing reform will be most beneficial.
I. That on this broad, comprehensive,
but positive platform of principle and pur.
pose of opposition to the liquor traffic and
ITS organized political power and agency
and to the evils of intemperance, for
whose eXistance and continuance they are
in large degree responsible, all sincere
aud earnest republicans can and should
stand, and unite to make the power of the
republican party felt as an agency in prac
teal reform. The republican party does
not need the help of, or any alliance with,
the liquor saloon, to give to 1t either char
acter, strength or success. The country
does not need the powerful aid of the re
publican party in the combat with the
perniCious influence, the corrupting poll
| teal agency, the blighting curse of the
| liquor saloon. We therefore, as members
of the republican party, appeal to all our
| associates and cO-wOrkers in that party in
New Jersey, those who have shared with
us in its honors and triumphS, and felt a
| Just pride in the achievements of the or
! ganizatiOn, to unite with us in an effort to
! place the party in the right, the impreg-
nable, the strong position on this vitality
| important issue. TO this end we ask that
appropriate action be taken in all republi-
can local organizations. cldDs and com
mittees, and in municipal, county and
state conventions that the party action on
this question may be made harmonious
and effective.
We also appeal to our brethren of the
republican party in all the other states of
the Union, asking their concurrence in
our views and purpose, and their co-opera-
ton in this effort to give "the grand old
party" an impetus in this forward move.
ment in the interest of righteous reform,
of good government and national pros
perity, and the best welfare of the whole
people,
Resolutions were unanimously adopted
providing for an executive committee of
two from each Congressional district, ap
proving the proposition of Il national con
| ference Of republicans to consider the re.
lations of the party ITO the subject of TEN
perance reform, and commencing the
state senate for passing the local option
bill, and urging the assembly to take like
| action.