The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-04-03
THE ARGUMENT


On the Haskell Local Option Bill, before
the House Committee on Temperance
Mr.. chairman and gentlemen Of the COM !
mittee:
Realizing that the evils resulting from
the liquor traffic are those that result
from the use of intoxicants as beverage,
from the constant liability of the saloon
traffic to become an undue factor in par
tisan politics; and believing that the
subject is of such Importance as to be
worthy Of consideration by every citizen;
Hon. Mr.. Haskell has placed before you
H. R. bill, No. 147.
This bill does not license the saloon
traffic in any place, but by a general law
having uniform operation throughout
the state, it makes this traffic illegal in
every place from which majority of the
electors residing therein wish it exclud-
ed.
1t brings the matter to the attention of
evNry voter. 1t removes the whole sub
ject from party politics, by allowing
every electOr to express his wish inde-
pendently of his connection with any
party. 1t makes it the duty of each cleo
tor to think and vote upon the saloon
question.
1t enables him to do so effectively,
without danger of causing political,
partisan, or personal i'll feeling; thus
eliminating the saloon question from
party politics, and placing with the peO-
pie, where it belongs.
1t does all this with no addition to
election expenses, except that Of print
ing twice upon the ballot the question,
"Shall the traffic in Intoxicating liquors
as beverage be prOhibitcd?"
The Anti-SaloOn League is composed Of
men of all parties and all creeds.
The legislative committee, after care
full consideration, heartily approve the
Haskell bill.
They see no reason why right-minded
men of all parties and beliefs should not
unite with them in the hope and respect
full request that this committee recon-
mend and the general assembly enact
that the Haskell bill become the Haskell
law.
The petitions of many thousand voters
have been referred to you. Thousands
more will soon be so referred. They all
ask you to approve and favOrably report
this bill. They ask the general assembly
to make it law.
In aid of your deliberations, it may be
well to inquire: What is the legislation
asked for? Who asked for it? Why do
they asked for 1t? Who oppose the grant
ing of their prayer? And why do they
so oppose?
What is the legislation asked for?
1t is bill, which, after careful con-
SideratiOn, and under the advice of sew
eral of the ablest attorneys in the state,
has been agreed upon by men of all par
ties. Judges of highest repute after care
full examination regard it constitutional
| can learn of none such who do not so
regard it.
The bill first provides for an expression
of the wish of the voters of each county,
township, incorporated village, city and
ward of city, as to prohibiting or allow
the saloon troffic within their respective
limits. This expression is not to be con-
trolled exclusively by the merits of the
question, unembarrased by other con-
siderations, for by existing law, large
money inducements are in the form of
taxes offered each community to allow
the traffic in its midst.
1t secondly provides that wherever,
notwithstanding such inducements, a
majority of the voters wish the saloon
traffic excluded, it shall be by law pro-
hibited.
One other provision of the bill should
be noted:
1t does not hastily decide the question.
1t allows time and scope for experiment
and resulting intelligence. II any COM
munity vote to exclude saloons, it is for
but two years. If, after the experience of
that time, majority of its voters con-
clude that the saloon is blessing
its absence a curse they can have the
saloon back again.
Who asked for this bill?
The petitions are signed by men of all
parties, but they have not signed them as
partisans.
Why do they so ask?
They all ask for it, because they believe
that for which they ask is right. that il
is reasonable, that it is practicable, that
it will be effective, and that the best way
to reach this evil is through efforts made
by all those who wish it removed, with,
out regard to party. 1t is too late to dis
cuss the question whether or not the sa
loon is an evil, The constitution Of
Ohio recognizes it as a parent Of evils
We know that reasonable and effectiv,
measures to suppress any evil are right
Is this law reasonable?
Is it not reasonable to allow a majorit,
to rulep That is the very foundation o
our democratic republican government
> Some say that there is wrong in legal
izing the coming Of the salOOn-keeper
with money consideration in his hand