The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-28

THE LICENSE QUESTION.

DItory laws ON our sthlute poohs, WV
voters OF the city of Providence may ex-
press themselves on Wednesday next on
the question of "license" or "no license"
for this town.
Under the statute, electors of any city
or town qualified to vote for general Off
GERS may,at every annual election, vote on
the question of ''license" or "no license"
providing such a vote is asked for by
stated percentage of the voting strength
of any city or town as indicated by the
figures of the general election next pre-
ceding. The decision of majority OF
the voters will make such city or town
a "license, or "no license" town for the
ensuing twelve months or until the ques-
tion is brought before the people again
according to law and such decision is re-
versed.
This is local option. It's purpose is to
give to every community the right to say
whether it shall permit the liquor busi-
ness to be carried on in its precincts or
whether it shall have prohibition. In
stead OF the State assuming the constitu-
tional or statutory right to control the
matter, the State takes its hands OF and
leaves it to the respective communities,
large and small, to act as a maioriy OF
their respective citizens are disposed.
We do not believe that a majority of the
electors of Providence will vote for "no-
license" in the coming election, wednes-
day next. We do not believe that
majority of our fellow citizens will take
such step in the exercise OF their indi-
vidual right and duty without serious
consideration of all that such a vote may
mean. The advocates OF "no license"
ments on moral grounds and their beliefs
and sentiments are entitled to most
respectful consideration. But a great
many self-respecting and honest people
are not agreed that the liquor question,
the sale of liquor, or the drinking of
liquor is a question to be decided by
arbitrary rules of good conduct and
Christian living.
II is probably fact that tho principles
of temperance Wnd of absolute prohibition
are practiced more generally today than
at any time, perhaps, in the history of
the world, but it is not clear that all men
whose daily lives are examples of this and
other virtues are disposed to seek to con-
troll by law the habits and practices Of
their fellowmen. At any rate, whether
these or any other rules of living shall be
enforced in any community lies entirely
with the majority of public sentiment in
such community. The will of the ma
jority makes the law, although, be it
said, the majority is sometimes unjust in
| its ruling Of the minority. We doubt IL
the prohibition sentiment is yet strong
| enough In the city of Providence to close
| up the liquorbusiDess, and even If ii Is it is
a question whether it would vote to do it, SO
| long as considerable minority we're op-
posed to such rule. AT all events, larger
and more successful promotion Of educa-
tion and Of missionary endeavor against
the liquor traffic must be clearly indicated
before any attempt to suppress the traffic
can be sure of success.
The liquor business is not an outlawed
| pursuit as those who advocate its sup
| preston SO often insist. 1t is conducted
under laws framed in accordance with
the views OF large majority Of our fell
low citizens and so long as the liquor
dealer respects the laws and pursues his
| business in accordance Herewith he Is
entitled to a respectful hearing on his
side of the liquor question wherever it
comes up. And no moral stigma can at
tach to any supporter of the license sys-
tenn unless such a supporter talks and
votes contrary to his own individual con-
victions. 1t is a fact that, right or
wrong, according to the moral view OF
the individual, the liquor business in
Providence is most important business.
II has prominence that commands for
Il a consideration apart from the moral
view that is not undisputed even where
temperance principles control individual
conduct; a standing that demands re-
cognition whenever the liquor question is
called up.
II Is no small proposition that the oiti-
zens are asked to vote upon next wednes-
day, when they mark their KS for eli
d. Ig....1 4. ..za :.