The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-03-14

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SHALL THE REQUESTS OF THE PEG
PIE BE IGNORED9
For the past two weeks, the men,
bers of the Legislature from Hartford
county have been receiving petitions
both for and against the passage of
an act submitting to the voters of
Hartford county, the question of
whether or not liquor shall be sold.
The question is being agitated in a
lively manner and both sides are
making strenuous efforts to gain their
point. 1t strikes us that this is not
an opportune time to discuss the
merits of the liquor question and
that the matter should be looked
at in purely abstract manner.
1t has been a number of years since
the voters have had an opportunity
to express themselves upon the SUBJ
ject of license or no license, and the
only point that the present Legisla-
ture is called upon to decide is, shall
the question be submitted this fall?
We commend the laudable activity
of those, who choose to term them
selves as the friends of temperament
their efforts to try to diminish the
sale of liquor under any circum-
stances. We all know the bancful
effects of its misuse and recognize
that it is one of the greatest evils
that the present generation is called
upon to fight. We think, however,
that they are laboring under a de-
fusion when they consider that their
present activity will be productive of
any good results.
For years past it has been admit
ted by everyone that the Local
Option law was being daily violated
and that the Courts seem to be
powerless to stop the illicit sale of
liquor. The alleged reason for this
is the widespread and current belief
that the masses are not in sympathy
with the law. We all know that
public sentiment makes law and
whether or not the theory that the
lawis unpopular, is correct, it can only
be settled in one manner and that is
to allow the people to express their
opinion through their only efectual
avenue-the ballot If, as is freely
asserted, a majority of the people of
Hartford county favor local option,
this can do no harm. On the contrary,
it will correct the erroneous impress
sion. If the question was again SUBJ
mitted and license defeated, it would
settle the agitation for years to come
and much good would result there
from. Juries would be convinced that
they were backed by public sentiment
and convictions would be much more
easily obtained. A new impetus
would be added to the enforcement
of the law and only improved results
could follow.
A very respectable petition, both
in numbers and personnel, has been
filed with our members asking that
this question be again submitted.
We cannot see how our representa-
tives can afford to turn down a re-
quest from such a large number of
representative taxpayers and voters.
We understand that an effort is
being made to try to make political
capital out of this agitation. To
silence this it is only necessary to re-
fer to the signatures of the petitions
that have been sent down, asking for
the submission. They are signed by
members of both parties represent
ing every walk in life. 1t is not
political matter in any sense Of the
word, and we cannot but doubt the
sincerity of anyone who attempts to
defeat the will of such a large number
ofpersons by urging that political
capital may be made out Of the re-
suit.
The time is growing short and the
Legislature should act at once.
Whatever decision they may reach
will doubtless not meet with the ap-
prevail of everyone. But they should
remember that they are deciding no
matter of principle. All that is asked |
is that the people themselves be al
lowed to express their opinion on a
question which is entirely local in its
character, and one which individual
neighborhoods can best decide for
themselves.
One objection being urged against
the bill is that the vote will be taken
by precinct. If our friends would
only examine the question a little
more carefully and see what Local
Option" means they will understand
that it is simply the right of local
self-government not on the liquor
question alone but any other matter. !