Middletown transcript., 1910-10-22
Local Option Deception
Inconsistency Of It's Advocates


cepbe Of proof that It is not strange the advocates Of
I local option deny that it means prohibition.
It does mean that and nothiag else, and the trend
has always been toward State prohibition First local
prohibition then county prohibition and finally State pro
hbiton This is the history the movement in Georgia,
Alabama, and Mississippi and on May 9th North Caro-
lima is on the question Of supersediug local option
with Slate prohibition.
Why lie about it? The record can't be wiped out
The more radical and honest advocates like Mrs. Armor
hesitate declare that local option only step
prohibition State National Any claim tuthe contrary
4 is deceptive, fallacous false
But why local option2
The declaration is made that it is in line with the
policy of popular government.
But if local self government on the liquor question:
1 why not on other questions
any political division however small, may deter
mine its policy the liquor traffic why notin any other
matter? In many sections there is strong sentiment
against Sunday closing laws. New York City, Chicago
and many other large municipalities would, given the
right of local control permit the opening of all places of
amusement on Sunday on other days.
4 The Legislature of New York State is graphing
with the question of race track gambling Why pass
local option law? Let Coney island, Saratoga any
other locality decide the question for themselves Thede
mand for local option by wards etc. might also be carried
the regulation the social evil There sections in
nearly all cities known as the "tenderlon" red light
districts Let these districts decide by popular vote what
: the regulation shall be- Why not
II the true theory of popular government say the
advocates Of prohibition II so, why not extend itf
What is the difference between Tweedle Dee and
TWeedle Dunn?
The people who believe that regulation is better
than prohibition these other questions have the
right Of majority rule that the prohbtionsts have the
D liquor question
II minority in any political division must submit
the will Of the majority in respect why not in aG
For years the city of Davenport, Iowa, exercised
practical independence the laws Of the State of Iowa
regards the Sunday question Davenport also wide
open city in other respects But the element that is
crying for local government in Pennsylvania day
demanded that Davenport should be subject
laws Iowa. and have finally succeeded in taking from
that city local control of its policy Sunday observance
and some other important questions.
The United Societies OF Chicago demanded that the
citizens Of that city be permitted Sunday open
ing but every local option prohibition bowler in the State
/ Of Illinois vigorously protested.
focal option is part of he American system of gov
ernment let have it, but let have it on the square!
If the theory of popular government is to bespun
fine this then there should be class discrimination
In Milwaukee, ST. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, New
York. and other cities where oregnborn citizens de-
sire the pleasures which they accustomed the beer
garden the Sunday concert theatre anything elsele
vote be taken and the majority rule If the prohib
tonsts don't like M let them move outhat is what they
tell the liberals to do where objection is made to their IA
nacal regulations the Sunday concert draws larger
crowd than the preacher let the preacher learn to fiddle
and get into the swim.
At least let us be consistent and the prohibitionists
who want local option in Pennsylvania be compelled to
grant it Maine Georgia. Alabama, and elsewhere and
I ia all relations
If is right in one place. tits rghtin ALL tit is right
as regards one question: it right regards questions
But the contention that local option is in accord
with our theory of government cannot be maintained
The constitutional subdivisions of government are
the States t silly to atomize the States minor SUBJ
divisions on questions that affect the whole body polite as
does this question Of prohibition as TO the question OF
Sunday observance, Of gambling, etc.
tits even now maintained that in the eimportant mat
ers of marriage divorce Of Of rauspor
aton Of protection to labor the power should be central
zed instead OF being distributed.
why then this false cry the issue that fana
hcs has projected into the Of political discussions
What will they NEXT proposes
Shall we say 10 the night riders in Kentucky now
prowlng through he prohibition counties Of that State
DESTROYING crops burning buildings and committing all
crimes from arson to murder This is question Of popu
lar governments take vote what crops yogF neghOOrs
shall raise Z"
Local option IL the destruction ot popular govern.
ment is subversye of every constitutional principle
and, carried 20 It's ultimates, means CHAOS
Let the National Government declare the policies
within it's jurisdiction and make the laws enforce them
Let the Stale formulate policies aud eRaet theH lnsq
laws for equal to he whole cltlzepshlR VsqOuF
discrimination.
This y government anything elss y nisrule, an