New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-11
THE FUTURE or HIGH-LICENSE.

The efforts Of large number of representa-
tive citizens Of both parties and of different re-
| ligions to secure High-License law have been
defeated for the second time by the trickster
who now occupies the Governors chair. This,
| il must be admitted, is public misfortune. A
years time has been lost in the fight with the
saloons, and that means long start for them.
But, on the other hand, much has been accom-
plished Public sentiment has been aroused on
this question as It has never been aroused be-
| fore The severity of the condemnation OF
| the veto shows this. The public mind has been
educated until the issue is well understood III
the question of High License could be sub
mitted to popular vote to-day, 1t would I'M
doubtedly be approved by large majority.
| A compact organization has been formed OF
prominent and public spirited men who are
devoted to this idea, and who will not disband
until they see it embodied in law The bill
| itself has now been brought into such perfect
shape that the saloon keepers attorney who
signed the veto message could only discover one
| insignificant detail with which he could even
pretend to find specific fault and that, as
every one could see was only pretence and
nothing more.
| A great deal of hard work has been done to
bring matters to this stage, but the task IS
unfinished Practical measures must be taken
to keep the question before the people, al
though the excitement of the Presidential year
will tend to obscure it. The Church Temper
ance Society, the Society for the Prevention OF
Crime and the Citizens Committee on High
License cannot take the issue into politics, for
they are non partisan organizations, but they
can see that it is kept fresh in the public mind,
especially as the time approaches for both
parties to make legislative nominations
There can be no doubt, however. that the
future Of this bill rests with the Republican
party. Twice it has been carried through both
houses of Republican Legislature, by Repub-
lican votes and over Democratic votes to be
vetoed by Democratic Governor. This bill
has grown into the Republican creed Ii must
be recognized. The State Convention to be
held next fall to nominate State ticket and
deal with State issues should distinctly demand
the passage of HighLcense law. 1t was
mistake that the platform of the last cOnven-
ton should have seemed less explicit upon this
point than it meant to be. If it had spoken
with a more certain sound Governor Hill
would have Republican State officers as his
colleagues to-day.
| We must have Republican Legislature.
No Democratic Legislature will ever pass
High-License bill.
We must have a Republican Governor. 1t
will not be enough to see Mr.. Hill defeated for
denomination, Of which there seems TO be some
prospect. 1t is not to bo denied that a large
proportion of the people, without distinction Of
party, would rejoice at this. If we must have
Democratic Governor let it be a man for
whom citizens generally can have some respect.
But-to come back to High License-there is
very little reason to hope that any Democratic
Governor would sign such bill. The party is
committed against it by its necessities. 1t
must vote as the saloons want because the
saloons are large part of the Democratic
party. Only one Democratic member of the
present Legislature dared to vote for High
License. With the record thus solidly made up
by the Democrats of two Legislatures, and the
Governor with two bills, the chances are small
that any Democrat would have the courage to
sign such measure. The man who wants a
High-License law must vote for the next Re-
publican candidate for Governor