The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-05-06
LOCAL OPTION IN OHIO
II Engrafts an Important Prlselple lste
the Statutes of the State.
VIEWS OF AUTHOR OF BEAL LAy
He Believes Reduction OF the sizs e
Districts q Decided Improvements
and that Ample Protection =
Given Residential Sections.


Brannock local option bill has be-
son of the measure receiving the ap-
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 a dozen petit
tions for local option elections have
been filed. and within 60 days a large
part Of the city undoubtedly win vote
"dry."
The Brannock bill has been given
careful attention by many Of the best
lawyers In the state, and the unam-
nous opinion seems to be that de
law is unassailable. and that 1t 1Ql
stand the severest run Of the couffs
should the opponents of the measure
conclude to test its validity.
1t 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 II
disprcved by the interview given out
by Professor G. II. 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-
treme temperance people as to the
| action Of Governor Herrick In insist-
ing upon certain notifications before
1t became a law. Mr.. Beal thinks that
the bill was improved by these modi-
| fications, and that as passed II -
great triumph for the Ohio Anti
Saloon league and its leaders, - It
engrafts a most important principle
| into the statutes of Ohio.
When asked for his opinion on the
Brannock law in its present form. Hr.
Beal said: 'It appears to be . very
effective piece of legislation, and WIN.
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, a.
| claimed by some who wanted the orig
inal Brannock bill or nothing?"
| Certainly not. On the contrary.
think that the law has In some 10
| spects been strengthened. For in
| stance, the reduction Of the size Of the
districts is a decided improvement
and will enable 1t to be used ~ . 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 ii has been
amended to suit its enemies etc.
etc, have been raised after the adop-
ton of every effective and really use
full piece of reform legislation, and q.
ways will be. These intemperafs
phrases seem to console the disaD-
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 Q 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 Dom
ocratic friends to put the Republicans
in a hole. II they can persuade ths
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 win gain credit from
both sides and avoid all the blame.
"The charge that the governor VA
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 4
his official approval and made II Z
law. In fact it could not have become
law except for the governors mos
earnest efforts in its behalf.
He certainly did not sign the bill
at the request or desire Of the liquol
| lultfSSlS OH ChNlASA
or member of the legislature woult
not be held up as an enemy Of the bill
simply because he CHANGED to believ'
that some of its provisions might b
changed to advantage, and the COVER
nor ought to have an equal right b
his individual opinion. think that II
his suggestions as to the Brannocl
law the governor merely intended d
be conservative. and believe that tn,
conservative people Of the state viii
approve the law after they have ha,
time to study its provisions and oh
serve its effects, as an excellent piec'
Of temperance legislation, because /
contains the important principle o
residential local option, which IL nov
part of our statute law"
What is your opinion as to the cor
stitutionality of the law"
THE measure seems to be CAREFUL
put together, and l have strong hop
that it will be sustained by the courts
There are one or two points about Il
legal soundness of which I am no
sure, but I do not wish to give m
opinion respecting them, ~ my opiI
ion might not be worth very much.