The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-05-26
.[UCAL OPTION IN OHIO
II Ensraits 90 Important Principle Iste
the Statutes Of the State.
VIEWS OF AUTHOR OF BEAL Law
tie Believes Reduction of the Size Of
Districts . Decided Improvement
and that AEipie Protection 10
Given RssidentiHl Sections.

Columbus, Especial. )-Since the
Brannock local option bill has be-
come a fullhedged law. by rea-
son of the measure receiving the ap-
proval Of the governor, the whole
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 peti.
tions for local option elections have
been fled. and within GO days large
part Of the city undoubtedly will "ote
dry"
The Brannock bill has been given
careful attention by many Of the best
lawyers in the state. and the unani-
nous opinion seems to be that the
law is unassailable. and that 1t will
stand the severest run Of the courts
should the opponents of the measure
conclude to test its validity.
It has been said from time to time
that the anti-saloon interests were
not wholly pleased with the Brannock
bill in its amended form. but that IS
disproved by the interview given out
by Professor G. II. Beal Of Scio col
lege. who is the author of the success.
ful Beal law. II will he remembered
that under the Beal law scores of
municipalities of the state have voted
dry" Professor Beal thinks the
Brarnock bill is good measure, and
he does not share the views of the ex.
treme temperance people as to the
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 II is t.
great triumph for the Ohio Anti.
Saloon league and its leaders. as II
engrafts 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: ''It appears to be very
effective piece of legislation. and will,
believe, afford ample protection to
purely residence districts against the
presence of 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,
think that the law has in some re.
spccts been strengthened. For in.
stance. the reduction of the size of the
districts is a decided Improvement,
and will enable 1t to he used as a pro.
lection to many small neighborhoodS
that would he 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 1t has been
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 oneG. 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 a 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. VI 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 1t, 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 II q
law, In fact it could not have become
a law except for the governors most
earnest efforts in it's behalf A
"Iie certainly did not sign the bin
at the request or desire of the liquor
interests. Surely an ordinary citizen
or member of the legislature would
not he held up az an enemy of the bill
simply because he CHANGED to believe
that some of its provisions might be
changed to advantage. and the COVER
nor ought to have an equal right tc
his individual opinion. think that In
his suggestions as to the Brahnock
law the governor merely intended tc
be conservative. and believe that the
conservative people of the state will
approve the law after they have had
time to study its provisions and OBJ
serve its effects. as an excellent piece
Of temperance legislation, because II
contains the important principle OF
residential local option, which is nov
a part of our statute law"
What 10 your opinion as to the con
stitutionality Of the law?"
"The measure seems to be carefully
put together, and have strong hope
that It will be sustained by the courts
There are one or two points about its
legal soundness Of which l am moi
sure, but do not wish to give my
opinion respecting them. as my opin
ion might not be worth very much