New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-06
THE LIQUOR QUESTION IN MARYLAND.
A HIGH LICENSE AND LOCAL OPTION CAMPAIGN

A HIGH LICENSE AND LOCAL OPTION CAMPAIGN
PROBABLE NEXT AUTUMN.
Baltimore, July (Specia).-The liquor question
IS attracting unprecedented amount OF attention
in Maryland, and particularly in Baltimore. An
organization is now in the process of formation for the
avowed purpose of restricting and regulating the liquor
traffic 1t does not stand upon the Prohibition ground
nor vet strictly upon that Of the advocates of High
License Recognizing the lessons taught by the
elections In NewHampshire, Massachusetts and Penn
syvania that the people not ready for the adoption
of a prohbitory enactment, the present movement
aims at the local option feature of such legislation,
establishing prohibition wherever the vote of district
or county is in its favor but where the "wets' pro-
ponderate the aim is to regulate the manufacture and
sale under stringent high license laws 10 be vigorously
enforced. The reasons which have led to the present
agitation are various but important. Among them
Is the fact that the rate in the city is increasing
and seems destined to do still more in the near
future As is well known the city Is a considerable
owner Of stock in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
from which In former years has received considerable
sums In the way of dividends, which went IN the
direction Of reducing the amount to be raised by direct
taxation. With this source Of income cut off. the
tax rate perceptiby increase. Property holders
naturally ooh for something which shall 60 toward
relieving them Of of their Burdens, and the sale
of LIQUOR naturally suggests itself The fact
that q considerable number of saOonkeepers driven
out OF Philadelphia by the enforcement Of high
license there have to this city and opened places
has awakened many of those who view the subject
I'm its purely moral aspect and the combination of
causes has led to eamestness of feeling which
finds its natural expression in tho movement now
| taking shape.
Since the accomplishment Of anything In this drcc-
ton can be had only through the Legislature the Ques
ton bids fair to play prominent part in this falls
campaign Democrats Of many years standing ale heard
boldly to declare that the regulation of the liquor
traffic is the of the hour and that they viii vote
for whatever ticket represents the most advanced posi-
ton with regard to It. Politicians of both parties
thus brought face to face with the problem and one
party or the other is likely to be forced, whether IL
wishes to or not to espouse the temperance SIDE The
Republican party WILL of course be the moro probable
| champion A larger proportion Of those who ara in
full sympathy with the movement TO be found in
| It's ranks The last National Convention took high
ground in this direction The campaign Of Warner Miller
In NewYork gave evidence of the intensity of popular
interest in the subject and It is in the direct line Of
progress All this tends to define the position Of the
party and is now directing attention toward it in the
expectation Of seeing decided expression In favor OF
| the temperance movement. Thus far none Of those
who are looked to the leaders of the party have given
any expression the subject though several Of them
are understood TO be personally in favor of such a
campaign, and they are quietly getting expressions OF
sentiment In various directions bearing upon It,
After the pronounced gains made last fall, the Re
publicans will naturally put forth every endeavor 10
capture the State this year. by securing majority in
| the next LEGISLATURE. What the Republicans would
have most to fear in such campaign would be the
enormous fund that would be placed IN the hands Of
the Democrats by those Interested in the liquor bust
! ness and the influence OF the low saloons With a
view to breaking this and preserving the friendship Of
tbe Germans a distinction has been proposed by some
between distilled and malt liquors. but the propos
docs not receive much announcement. such course
would alenate the support particularly IN the coun-
| ties of number who last year voted the Pro-
hbition ticket but who would this year In all proba
bty act with the Republicans presenting the best
prospect of practical results. One thing is evident
| that the llauor question Is destined at distant day
TO be an important consideration In Maryland politics.
| and this fall Is likely 10 see the fight begun.