Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1880 — Prohibition in England. [ARTICLE]

Prohibition in England.

BY REV. WM. HOSMER.

The latest Information which we have concerning the temperance movement Id England, is contained in the following extract from, the Wfscontin Ohitf of June 2»U>. yll i GOOD raws. On the 18th of this month, according to notice, Sir Wilfred Lawson, the grand temperance leader in the British Parliament, brought before the House of Common this resolution in favor of local opt ion, which says, , * “That inasmuch as the ancient and avowed object of licensing the Sale J es liu toxicating Mquor Is to supply a supposed public want, without detriment to the

public welfare, this House is of opinion that a legal power of restraining the issue or renewal of licenses should oe placed in the hands of the persons most deeply interested and affected—namely, the »- habitants themselves—who are enfiitlsdito cea oi me present system Dy some enUyient mtMßure of local optk»;” ** n* The resolution passed byn. votes* *29 to 2084 and on Friday last the bill closing public houses in England and Wales on Sunday, passed the same body by a vote lof 153 to 117. * J | “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”

This very decided success is not the reat all; bat it is the effect of that steady man when he knows he is iu the right. It fioaneyof thdfltfltalifl am quite so confident, but it mjuatwhat that grand temperance organization. Urn Manchester been better to have aimed at immediate WKi U)»al s prqhihi(MQn instead,of local opuon. It might harp taken a few years longer to carry the measure as Maine did, but -then tfcd victory would have been worth enough more when achieved to pay fe« all tii* time spent, in waiting. Local opivfri* ontya grtat of legkMliTS power to tne several borough? ana electoral districts td'dd for themselves what Parliament should have done, and necessitates fighting the battle over again every year. We believe that nothing less than'total instant prohibition should ever be demanded as an adequate object by temperance men, yet We are vetY glad that the English have met with tbis success. However inadequate Sir Wilfred Lawson's Bill may be for direct prohibition, it is a glorious success, because it virtually converts every electoral district into a little Parliament and invests it with fbll power over the liquor traffic. This is a great stride for England to take, and we say wyh the- Ribfo and. the Chits, ‘Tnake a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye ktuOWills death tfrthe traffic in merry old England, and may all civilized countries quickly follow suit. ; -