Telegram-herald., 1890-12-01
What Have They GainedP


From the Detroit Iribuae.
At last our thirty party Prohibition
friends have got whstthey have laboTed
snd prayed fora defeat of the Repub-
lican party IN the State. Ii is Of la rger
proportions, too, than they could la ye
dared "a hope, FOR q comprises clean
sweep Of both the executive and legs
lauyc branches of the government.
Their cup OF JOY must not only DC full,
bat running over.
Well-aside from the defeat Of as
good Republicans, whom they hate with
what they esteem 10 be righteous cor
dlalty, what have these people gained
by the change which has come abOug
Remembering that the one great thing
they are and have been striving for Is
the absolute prohibition OF tne liquor
traffic IN Michigan, what advance have
they made toward the accomplishment
of their cherished obiectY The Repub-
licans are not out OF the way. Are
they any nearer the goal Of their de-
Sres?
| 1t hardly needs asserting that DEM
ocraNc Legislature will never pass a
prohlbitory law, or even submit the
question 10 a popular vote and allow
the people, if they wish TO do SO. 10 IN
corporate prohIbitory article into n
/ State constitution. A Republican Leg
lslature has already done the latter.
Ii is impossible 10 see any gam secur-
ed by our Prohibition friends by the
change for which their prayers and
votes went forth.
But We fear the benefits TO flow from
the change which they SO ardently de-
sired do not stop with mere dO-noth-
ing policy. 1t Is already announced
by leading members OF the Leg
islative majority, which will soon
take control IN the capitol, that the
liquor tax levied upon the business
must and shall be reduced. IL Will be
remembered that tins was increased
from $500 10 $500 10y tie last legislature,
/ despite the utmost efforts OF the Demo
Gratis 10 prevent 1t. A step backward
instead of forward is now doubtless 10
be taken. The tax will be reduced
| certainly to $500, possibly 10 $500 or
500. VIII this be favorable 10 the
cause of temperance? Will not the Sa-
/ loon business take on new activity, anil
| flourish as II has not IN many years IN
| der the stimulus of such legislation.
1t is also given out that the local
| option law is 10 be repealed altogether.
Tnose counties that r1ay desire 10 banish
| the LIQUOR traffic from their midst, are
not TO be allowed even the opportunity.
/ They must beburdened with Itsexpense
and curse whether they will or not.
! Local prohibition is 20 be abolished
/ through the efforts of Prohibltonsts,
and SO full half the state that might
| have prohibition is 10 he deprived Of it:
Beyond question other restrictions
will be lightened or taken OF altogether.
/ The whole temperance legislation Of
| the State is to be immensely toned
down. The policy IS to be encourage
I ment and not repression. The way OF
/ the salOonist, a hard and cruel one al
| best, is 10 be made easier and not more
| difficult And the tide OF events that
| pours IN as fast rs restraints upon this
| baleful traffic are lessencd, will swell
| from slowly diminishing stream 70 a
rising flood. Are there aoy hal.Clujahs
/ TO be shouted over such prospect
And yet our third party Prohibition
/ friends have been lsbOrnc and praying
! for lust this condition Of things.
As 10 the taxpayers IN every cOmnun-
ity, they must suffer. too. They gen.
/ orally do when the Democratic party
comes into power. "Whcn the wicked
rule-the people mourn SAYS TIE Good
! Book, and Il Is a truth attestsd by long
/ and bitter experience. With the tax
on the houor traffic reduced, not only
will the evils multiply. bat hundreds
Of thousands OF dollars, iu the aggre-
gate. that might have az least gone %
diminish the burden Of county expend-
! itures. viii be taken away, every dol
+ lar Of winch The taxfayers must make
up out of their ow9 pockets.
These appear - be tbe fruits ~ the
/ success al last achieved hy our Pr0hlbi-
I ton friends. We hope they are enjoy
l iog a sweet content over the prospect.
! The saloonst is the only other ind
vidual We know Of in similar raptures.