The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-01-08
COMING AROUND RIGHT.

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COMING AROUND RIGHT.
The clarksburg Telegram shows
signs Of having IT'S heart in the right
plsDe on the liquor question. as the
tollowins editorial shows:
While petitions arc being aligned
throughout the State on the liquor
question. It Ia not the part Of Wis
dom to overlook the plank on this
subject in the Republican State plat
dorm. upon which the Governor
elect went before the people and
4riumphed. notwithstanding the DEM
ocratic and Prohibition opposition to
MIN. For the benefit Of Telegram
readers and to freshen tneir minds on
tho subject that plank Of the Repub-
1ican State platform Ia here repro
duced: -
"A large majority Of tho citizens
OF tho State believe that the traffic
ia intoxicating liquors is an evil and
desire 10 mitigate and eradicate the
evils OF such traffic as far as pos.
afhle. But We recognize that there
is an honest difference OF opinion as
to which is the better method where
by this result may be obtained.
whether by Statewide prohibition.
through amendment to the Consti-
tuition OF the State. or by what !s
known as local option through vote
OF the people in each county. We be-
1ieye that the people are capable of
settling this question. and that they
hare the right to settle It. Therefore.
we favor the passage by the next Leg
islature Of a well.consIlercd and an
adequate local option law. and also
the submission to vote Of the pco-
pie OF an amendment to the Constitu.
ton prohibiting the said traffic"
This plank in the platform was
emphasized on the stump and in the
Republican press during the cam.
pajgn and It was thoroughly under
stood By the people. who certainly
settled the question at the polls In
favor Of local option and4S the sub:
mission of the amendment It Is Il
party pledge. which the people. when
they voted for 1t. expected tho party
to keep.
Some intimate that 1t would be
better rs a matter Of party expedl-
ency to defer action until the ses-
sion Of the legislature two years
hence. But. the plank plainly says
''the next legislature" and not the one
to follow that one.
After reading and reviewing the
plank az here reproduced, It ought
not to be necessary for men to Sign
petitions asking for submission. as
the. party promise. Is as plain MS It
oau.be. But. In most instances. where
in these petitions rare being ,slsned.
opposition to q local option Law Is
doubtless the lnpelllng motive. That
opposition was defeated at the polls
and ought not 70 have to be commended
With ty the Legislature, however much
the aIgners have the right to petition.
Again. those who are urging the
passage Of the model liquor llcenae
ought to recognize the fact that the
people voted for local option and the
party ms pledged itself to enact such
a law. While the model license may
be a greatly advanced step In reform
ins aud elevating the liquor business.
set It WAS not an issue In the last can.
palsn and the Republican side OF the
legislature Is not pledged to It. On
the contrary the Republican party Is
pledged TO do two things on the liquor
questlon-pass a local option law and
submit tho prohibition amendment.
There is no possible moqal way out Of
the latter. though, Il the model license
system be SHOWN to be better than
good local option law 1t might take
the place Of the latter until the pro-
aibltion question II settled. and Il pro
tlb!tion Il defeated. the model license
could continue indefinitely. SUCH US
would the local option law In the event
of the failure OF prob ibition to carry.
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