The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-05-23

son. The clause in the new constltu-
ton prohibiting license to sell in
ioxicating liquors for beverage pur-
poses, was heartily supported by both
the representatives from Stark county,
and both were among Canton's best
citizens.
The unconstitutional Dow tax law,
that legalizes liquor selling in Ohio
for beverage purposes, by the payment
Of an annual high tax, was enacted
by the Republicans alone, at least l
have never heard of anything to the
contrary Their two first attempts to
accommodate the liquor sellers in
Ohio, before the Dow law was enact
Cd, was the effort to enact the Scott
and the Pond laws, and having failed
in both these attempts they made a
third effort to protect the saloons In
Ohio by the enactment of the Dow tax
law, and said unrighteous and uncon-
stitutional law, is the one that pro-
tects the liquor sellers in Ohio today.
AT first the annual tax fixed upon
each saloon, or place of selling intox-
icating liquors for beverage purposes
was 5000 a year. It has since that
time been raised to $3.50 year, but
the higher the price fixed by such an
unconstitutional law, the greater grip
the liquor sellers have upon the party
that upholds such q sinful and uncon-
stitutional law.
If either of the old political parties
n Ohio is entitled to the name of
whisky party" 1t is the Republican
party in our state, and by them alone,
that the liquor sellers obtain legal
lermit to open out saloons, and sell
Intoxicating liquors for beverage pur-
oses, in the state, which is in direct
conflict with our state "~~-'''"tion,
and the best interests of t. .s.
George B. Cox, of Cincinnati, who
was for some time proprietor Of a
saloon in that city, commonly known
as "Murderer's Corner saloon" has
been an active member of the Repub-
lican party for many years, and ii
am rightly informed, is today one of
the state committee in said party; and
has more influence in the councils of
said party than all the church work
ers in the state.
One thing is quite certain, that the
leaders in both the old political par
ties in Ohio have been catering to the
liquor vote, but recorded facts would
indicate that the Republican party
has been the most active in this kind
OF degrading work, and it is about time
that these facts be kept before the
Ieople, so that temperance people,
Anti-Saloon workers and Prohibition
lists may not be deceived in voting for
either party as the friends of temper
ance.
The facts are against both parties on
this question, but in most places the
Republican party has been the great
est transgressors, in betraying our
homes TO the temptations and pitfalls
Of the saloon, as was shown by their
support of tax laws for the protection
and legallzation of saloons in the state,
whereby more harm has been done,
than by any other law ever upon our
statute books.
The question is, will good people
continue to support political party
that poses as a temperance party, and
yet enacts and upholds laws that pro-
tects and legalizes liquor sellers by
the payment of an annual high tax fee.
Let all good citizens look into this
question, before they cast another bal
lot, and not be deceived by tricky
politicians.
JOHN DANNER.