The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-24

q provision in the Act giving a reasona BILE
comes operative. In order that those en-
gagged in the business may adjust their
affairs without too great a sacrifice.
have no fault to ind with the County
Unit Law. l have favored every advanced
step taken In its various amendments. 1t
been a great blessing to the Common
wealth. Under 1t les counties have voted
dry; but the remaining counties contain a
lation of the State The present law
seems inadequate to give relief to the peo-
the liquor interests, instead of showing
respect for the County Unit Law, and for
the win of the people as expressed at the
polls, have been contrasting every election
where the result was dry. and going into
the courts with every possible technical
people. Not only has this been their atti-
tude toward the law and its enforcement.
bitterly oppose every man who aspires to
public office who does not take his orders
run for any Office in Kentucky. however
humble. without feeling the weight OF
1nelr wrath. expressed In the usual way:
the State have increased as county after
county has been added to the dry column
until their influence has become a menace
TO popular government.
In view of all this It seems that there
Is but one solution to the problem. and
that Is to submit IL to the whole people
that we may know once and for all time
whether the people or the liquor interests
".
the logic OF the situation. but it is abso-
lutely fair. Who can be heard 10 say that
the people as whole haven't right to
pass on question so vitality affecting
their moral and financial welfare? We
submit good roads amendments and taxa
ton amendments to the whole people
why not submit this question, Infinitely
more vital to them?
As stated above, l am not unmindful
OF the property interests involved. 1t is
TO be regretted that moral reforms often
oring financial loss to some; but the pub
NC conscience Justiies the loss to the few
when II means an infinitely greater saw
ing to the many. The onward march of
Christian civilization must not be retarded
because a few men have invested their
money In the business constituting the
obstruction.
Ny familiarity with the financial AFFAIRS
or the State, as a result OF eight years
experience (from 1900 to 1000 as Super
intendent OF Public Instruction and Sec
Sinking Fund Board, leads me to the be-
uef that such a revision of our taxation
system can be made as will readily reduce
the State debt, and make good any de-
the loss OF the tax on liquors. And this
can be done without any increase of the
tax rate. Saving State revenues is lust
as important as producing them. With
kentucky the saving to the State in GRIM
mai prosecutions alone would be an enor-
nous item. and go far toward a solution
OF the financial problem. II the money
spent for liquor in Kentucky. and FOR
criminal prosecutions growing out of its
use can be saved, in half a dozen years
We can relieve the financial situation of
the State and build a macadam road 10
every church and school house in the
Commonwealth.
Another large saving can he accor-
Pushed by the elimination of ali useless
omces, and II elected l shall irstitute