The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-03


est which has been aroused by
n the discussion over sunday
opening in New York, that part
of Governor Odell's message which re-
fers to changes in New York's excise
law is entitled to notice.
The governor reterates his belief in
the principle of home rule for cities,
but says it should not be the shibbo-
leth for the enactment of laws not in
harmony with general state legisla-
tion. When 1t is sought under the cry
of home rule to enact laws which are
repugnant, distasteful and injurious to
other portions of the state. then, he
says, 1--WE have exceeded the powers
that were sought to be given to locali-
ties, and home rule would become u
mere excuse for the violation by legal
forms of laws desired by the remand
or of the state" The governor con-
tinues:
During the last municipal campaign
in our greater city there arose a dis
cussion with reference to local option.
Local option as it relates to the liquor
traffic is understood as meaning that
in all communities other than cities
the inhabitants thereof shall have the
right to determine whether liquor
shall be sold in such communities six
days of the week. and upon the deter
mination of that question the excise
department predicates its administra-
ton. This right was given because be-
fore the enactment of the present eX-
else law it was within the power or
the voters or of the appointing author
tiles in the municipalities and villages
to absolutely prohibit the sale of Id
uor by electing or appointing board
opposed to the granting of such IL
censes. 1t is well known fact that
in the original draft the same rights
as to local option were sought to be
given the municipalities, and that they
do not possess them is due to the op-
position of their own representatives.
There can be no objection to sub
mitting this same question to the vot-
ers of the cities. if it is so desired, as
it would be treating all parts of the
state alike. But if by local option is
meant the right to determine whether
the doors of the saloons may legally
remain open on Sundays. then a diff
ferent proposition is presented, and a
departure is proposed from the fixed
rules which have governed the admin
iStration of our excise laws, and it
then becomes a question which con-
Germs not only a particular city, but
every section of our state. Each local
ity owes TO all others due regard for
their rights and convictions and their
moral and physical comfort. No such
departure should, therefore, be sane
toned nor power delegated to locali-
ties touching, as this would, upon the
fundamental principles which have
had their growth from the foundation
of our country. unless clearly desired
by a majority of the people of the
state Before submitting Il referen-
dunn to the cities the whole question
should be passed upon by the people
ut large.
1T would seem that the laws which
we have would prevent the alleged
abuse of the privileges accorded to the
hotels, with resultant immortality, If
such laws We're rigidly enforced by Il
police honestly and efficiently admin
istered. If, however. such laws are
not broad enough in their scope to
reach the particular evils complained
Of it should be your duty by amend
ment to strengthen and to make more
certain their proper enforcement"
BY way of emphasizing his position
he concludes: Il am convinced that
this attempt to inject into the policy
of our state question so at variance
with the moral convictions of a vast
majority Of the people is unwise and
uncaled for. Such IL departure could
not but be harmful to the state at
large, because it would be extending
to a particular line of business rights
which are withheld from others. If
open saloons should be authorized in
cosmopolitan cities, demands would
soon follow for licenses from other
branches of business, and might reach
an extent that would arouse the con-
sciences of every man and every
woman in our commonwealth who be-
lieve not only in a day of rest, but in
rendering to God, who has blessed us
as il nation, the homage that is due
Him.
"Blackmail can never be stopped so
long as men are corrupt, but 1t can be
lessened and almost entirely done
away with If those charged with the
administration of our laws follow out
the principles which they are sworn to
uphold \ failure in this direction
renders them liable to the severest
punishment, as their enforcement of
the law would make possible the quiet
enjoyment by all Of our people of the
day set apart both by secular and
moral law as day of rest and wor-
ship. l feel, therefore, that no legls-
latiOn should be enacted except there
Is more of IL general demand than is
apparent ut present, and that under
no circumstances should referendum
be permitted TO municipalities until
sanctioned by the entire electorate of
4 ~ Stu ia