Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-05-06
LOCAL OPTION IN OHIO
II Hngrafts on Important Principle Into
the Statutes of the State.
VIEWS OF AUTHOR OF BBAL LAW
He Believes Reduction of the Size of
Districts a Decided Improvement
and that Ample Protection is
Given Residential Sections.

Brannock local option bill has be-
come a full-lledged law by rea-
son of the measure receiving the APP
proval of the governor, the whole
state has been stirred to activity, and
in almost every large city plans are
under way to vote dry" many resi-
dence districts.
In the city of Columbus, where the
provisions of the bill are thoroughly
understood as many as dozen petit
tions for local option elections have
been filed. and within 60 days large
part of the city undoubtedly will vote
dry"
The Brannock bill has been given
careful attention by maay of the best
lawyers in the state, and the unani-
nous opinion seems to be that the
law is unassailable. and that it will
stand the severest run of the courts
should the opponents of the measure
conclude to test it's validity
1t has been said from time to time
that the anti-saoon interests were
not wholly pleased with the Brannock
bill in it's amended form, but that is
disproved by the interview given out
by Professor G. H. Beal of Scio col
lege. who is the author of the success
full Beal law. 1t will be remembered
that under the Beal law scores Of
municipalities of the state have voted
"dry" Professor Beal thinks the
Brannock bill is a good measure, and
he does not share the views of the ex-
10 hA
action of Governor Herrick in insist
ing upon certain notifications before
it became law. Mr.. Beal thinks that
the bill was improved by these modi-
fications, and that as passed it is
great triumph for the Ohio Anti
Saloon league and it's leaders, as it
epgrafts most important principle
into the statutes of Ohio.
When asked for his opinion on the
Brannock law in it's present form, Mr..
Beal said: ut appears to be very
effective piece of legislation, and will,
I believe, afford ample protection to
purely residence districts against the
presence of a specially undesirable
class of saloons"
"Then you think the law has not
been injured by the amendments, as
claimed by some who wanted the orig
| inal Brannock bill or nothing?"
Certainly not. On the contrary, I
think that the law has in some re-
spects been strengthened. For in
stance, the reduction of the size of the
districts is decided improvement,
and will enable it to be used as a pro-
lection to many small neighborhoods
that would be completely swallowed
up by the vote of larger district.
Such cries as that the law has been
'emasculated' that it has had the
sting taken out that it has been
amended to suit its enemies ETC.,
etc, have been raised after the adop-
tion of every effective and really use
full piece of reform legislation, and al
ways will be- These Incorporate
phrases seem to console the disap-
pointed ones. and do no particular
harm, except that they occasionally
mislead SOME excellent people who
take them too seriously when they
should be understood merely as sort
of salve to soothe temporary vexation
of spirit"
What is the basis Of the report
that Governor Herrick was opposed to
the law?" Mr. Beal was asked.
Merely a smart device of our Dem
ocratic friends to put the Republicans
in hole. If they can persuade the
liquor interests that the Republican
party was responsible for the law,
and the temperance people that the
Republican administration was op-
posed to it, they will gain credit from
both sides and avoid all the blame.
"The charge that the governor was
opposed to the measure seems incon
sistent in view of the fact that In
public and private life the governor
has always stood for order and good
morals, that he publicly declared him
self in favor of the main provisions
of the BILL and finally that he gave II
his official approval and made it q
law. In fact it could not have become
law except for the governors most
earnest efforts in its behalf.
"He certainly did not sign the bill
at the request or desire of the liquor
interests. Surely an ordinary citizeI
or member of the Legislature would
not be held up as an enemy of the bill
simply because he chanced to believe
that some of its provisions might bt
changed to advantage, and the cover
nor ought to have an equal right tt
his individual opinion. think that il
his suggestions as to the Brannocl
law the governor merely intended tt
be conservative. and | believe that thu
conservative people of the state will
approve the law after they have hat
time to study its. provisions and oh
serve its effects, as an excellent piece
Of temperance legislation, because 1
contains tie important principle o
residential local option, which is nov
part of our statute law"
What is your opinion as to the con
stitutionality Of the laww
"The measure seems to be carefull