Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-28
The elections at Richmond. Manchester and

The elections at Richmond, Manchester and
Lynchbury Va, resulted, Monday In the sue
cess Of the antiprohibition party. This will be
. disappointment of course, to many Of the re-
formers, but will not probably discourage them
hopeessIy. The lesson taught by a vote Is not
so much a matter of surface figures as of analy-
sis. The causes which lead to a victory or a de-
feat are the only really edifying subjects for
study. II IL should be found that the "wet" vic
tories In the larger centers OF population are
due primarily to the votes of the ignorant and
purchasable class of citizens, and secondarily
70 the thrifty spirit of the other class who would
rather use the liquor traffic a bearer of q
large share of the burdens Of taxation than
abolish IL altogether In obedience merely to q
moral sentiment, means will suggest them
selves Of bringing about results more favorable
TO the cause Of social reform at a later date. 1t
Is possible to educate even the habitual drinker
10 the idea.that good liquor is better than bad,
and that a dealer who can afford to pay heavy
license is a safer man to buy of, as a rule, than
one who cannot. The thrifty taxpayer, more
over, would naturally be inclined to favor high
license rather than low on the ground that 1t
yields larger returns at less cost for collection.
Then, II the prohibitionIst principle can
bring himself 70 see the wisdom of supporting
severe restriction of the liquor traffic as COM
promise measure, the road to real reform is
open the next time the same question arises as
political issue.
But aside from these considerations, the tenn
perance people may find consolation in reflect
Ing that, although they have lost some big
places, they have gained several small ones,
and the rule of nature is that the fire which
consumes most is that which begins at the bot
tom of the pile.
1t Is observable that the prohibition or local
option idea Is taking its strongest hold In agri-
cultural communities because of the democrat
king influence of the grogshops upon farm
labor. This Is notably the case in Maryland,
where the restriction of the liquor traffic has
had the happiest results in promoting thrift
and good order and in decreasing crime.
II the Third avenue hOrse-car strikers can
afford TO run q line OF iIee omnibuseS from the
post office to the Central Pa in New York
city, they may be able to hold out indefinitely
against their employers. But horses have to be
fed and shod and stabbed, and omnibus drivers
consume the same amount of food and clothing
rs other men. All these things cost money
Why would not temporary compromise and
. friendly arbitration to settle matters for the
future be wiser than idleness on the part of the
company and an expensive warfare on the part
Of the men? penny saved is a penny earned,
rs truly in the case of a strike as in ordinary
business.
II is now announced that the new Baltimore
4 Ohio railway line will be In operation be-
tween Baltimore and Philadelphia by the LIST of
August. This does not promise the five dollar
fare and one dollar reserved chair between
Washington and New York-the prices now
paid between the latter city and Boston-qulte
a. soon as was expected, but it is an assuring
indication. The better day when these things
will be enjoyed is not very far Off