The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-24
TnE OTHER SIDE.

Seattle. WASH. Feb. n. izs
Editcr Poef-Entezziesncer. The cosnmr-
nscafion recently published IN the Pest
insslligsneer from a Friend of Tenn
rSrsnre.r In OPPOSITION TO me local option
GU Tow pending IN the legislature, sug-
sssts the thought that ra<ssbsy this meas
ure % Temperance reform needs 20 be
saved from its friends YoGr CORE
sponsent declares himself sin favor %
ths total prohibition % the manufacture
and sale Of Intoxicating EQsors." and In
fns same paraxrapes senonnces local op-
ton as .haif measure. an obstacle
In the way Of true temperance REFORM
IL Is somewhat significant that the cr-
position TO the present high license and
local option bin has hitherto been con-
fined TO two distinct classes OF inEIvsd-
nais. giz-: the prohibition extremists and
the liquor lobbyists. The latter form
OF opposition has been decidedly active at
Olympia for the past two weeks. but the
former seemed consented with quiet
protest. until the appearance Of the COM
munscation from "A Friend OF Temper
ance.'s
Tue writer also believes In the total
prohihition OF the manufacture and sale
o. intoxicating liquors. bu. Is willing
ter measure which tends 20 reduce. re-
strict or mitigate the extent Of the liquor
curse. and does not involve compromise
OF principle. A high license ard LEGAL
option law Is just that sort OF an advance
step from the present tax system. The
passage of the pending Law means that
the people OF Washington viii have free
Com from the liquor curse In those com
raunitses where the sentiment is educated
up 10 that standard. and not elsewhere.
That means enforcement-the lack OF
which has been the great source Of OPP
position TO general prohibition laws.
In Its practical working the best that
Is hoped from the passage OF the pend
ing bill Is to rid the rural districts and
smaller towns OF the licensed dramshop.
forced upon them By the present law re-
gardless OF the local sentiment. At the
same time the proposed law aims TO
hedge and restrict the evil In cities where
the sentiment Is not sufficiently educated
TO secure or enforce prohibits Under
present laws the complications OF local
issues have always operated to prevent
the election or defeat Of local officers on
the basis or their position on the license
question The enemies of the saloon are
scattered In various partisan camps and
the united supporters Of the traffic In In
foxicating liquors are always victorious.
Only two methods are open TO those who
oppose the existence Of saloons: first, to
unite forces on a distinctive no-iIcense
ticket at every election. This is the log
cal position OF the prohibition party. Sec
ond. by local option law. TO remove the
question from party politics, and allow
free and fair vote. independent OF party
fav.
local election; the result to determine
the policy of that community as regards
the saloon, until the next election.
Under this form of law Massachusetts,
Minnesota. Nebraska. and many other
non-prohihi,ion states regulate the traf-
fc In intoxicating liquors. The mulct
law of Iowa Is simply the application
OF the local option high license plan In
place OF iil-enforced prohibition. Two
thirds Of the South is free from the sa-
loon under local option laws, and We hear
nothing OF non-enforcement from that
quarter In adopting good local option
law Washington viii simply be placing
herself in line with the conservative,
educational methods of restricting the
liquor traffic, for many years In sue
cessful operation in most Of the non-pro-
hibition states.
The petitions presented to the legisla-
! ture. signed by nearly 10000 legal voters.
| evidence the fact that the sentiment of
! the voters of this state is strongly in
| favor of the local option method of deal
| Ing with the liquor traffic. IL is the old
| American idea Of jority rulc-the applI-
| cation to this evil of the initiative and
| referendum Its supporters include men
| OF all parties. II grants every privilege
| which the traffic in intoxicating liquors
| has right TO expect, while at the same
time anording every opportunity for tenn
| perance legislation to keep pace with edu-
! cation Of sentiment
The REPORTS from Olympia, as printed
| In the Post-Intelligencer. indicate a prob
ability of the passage OF this just and con-
sentative measure or half measure" of
temperance reform The presence in
Olympia of an active liquor lobby work
Ing against the bill may have some effect
upon the politicians In the legislature
hut Will serve only 10 unite those who
support wise legislation, regardless of sa-
loon promises or threats IL by the eff
forts OF the liquor lobbyists ami a few
friends of temperance" the great body
OF temperance people of this state are
denied The opportunity to make this
snort put safe advance step. then the
claim OF the party prohibItionist fer dis
tinciivc par'isanship by all opponents
OF the saloon will be indeed well founded.
We have been led 10 believe for these
many years that the Republican party
was ready to give the people a safe and
conservative measure of temperance re-
form. The opportunity Is now at hand
when that idea must either be justified
or dispeiied, IL the legislature refuses
IN grant the Opportunity TO vote free
from partisanship upon this grea, o,les
ton OF government. then there Is no
other alternative but separate PARTY ac-
ton ANTT-SALoON.
MARINE NEWS