Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-29

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WASHINGTON, D. c. queen news
Stand, National Hotel
MIR. LAUGHLIN BECOMES ABUSIVE.
Delegate George A. Laughlin Is
quoted in an afternoon paper as thus
expressing himself at Charleston:
whatever may have inspired the sud
den and unexpected onslaught by the edl-
tor of the Register on Saturday against
the license bill l have presented, II is
quite evident it was not due to con-
scientious motives on his part, or to the
results of our recent municipal election,
as he would have US believe. =
1t is a sad spectacle TO see newspaper,
the official organ of a great party, and
which claims to represent the interests OF
the people. oppose a law that only stands
for good and the observance OF the laws
as pertaining TO the sale of liquor 1t
admits only of this construction that the
Register does not want a law that Will
prevent the selling of liquor on Sunday or
selling to minors, that its views are
controlled by people who do not want such
a law"
The Register is 10th to believe that
Mr.. Laughlin is correctly quoted and
that he so far forgets himself as to be
guilty of replying to fair criticism
ing the motives and honesty of
those who may venture to oppose
his pet measure is not the most con-
vincing method of proving its right
eousness, but savors rather of a puri-
tanical intolerance that is somewhat
out of place in one elected to serve
and not to dictate to his constituents.
The Register, together with
thoughtful citizens generally, oppose
Mr.. Laughlin's bill for many good
reasons already set forth, not the
least among which is that the people
have elected reform city govern
ment to do away with the very evils
this bill pretends to reform. Fur
thermore, with the workings of the
Brooks law of Pennsylvania, on which
it is modelled, before us, it is not ap-
parent that the Laughlin bill would
work the reforms sought, since it
would be likely to substitute for the
old evils the worse evil of the speak
easy" At the same time it would
certainly deprive the city of a very
large amount of annual revenue which
would have to be made up by the re-
naming taxpayers. 1t is unDemocrat-
1c in principle. 1t would be an
unwarranted interference with the
ledge for the removal OF still other
@ghts Of the municipality, while it
would drag the judiciary into the mire
of the dirtiest kind of politics. 1t
would place too much power in one
mans hand and it would centralize
the saloon business SO that few
would monopolize it.
The measure is open to all these OBJ
jections besides others, else it could
not accomplish the reforms promised
IN the manner proposed These re-
forms the Register confidently be
lieves may safely be left to the new
council and the new city government
to accomplish They were the central
idea of the recent city campaign and
the new city administration and
council are virtually pledged to fulfill
the demands of the people. At least
the advice and consent of the newly
elected city government should be OBJ
tanned before a step so radical and of
such vital import to this city shall be
taken by the Legislature
By his intolerance of opposition.
which leads him to reply to just and
honest criticism of his measure with
personal abuse, Mr.. Laughlin displays
that narrow minded, Pharisaical l.
INSTRUMENTATION disposition which
usually characterizes the self-appoint-
ed guardian of public morals and
nullifies any reform he may espouse
by alternating the support and sympa-
thy of conservative and we'll balanced
citizens.