Local Option

The Uepublican party at the last State Legislature gave to each county tlie right to vote prohibition wlthin its borders. This was, as it should be, for, although there are grave doubts in the minds of our leading citizens, whose experience is wi.le throughout the Commonwealth, that Wholesale prohibition all over the state could be a succes, or even betternient, yet TnE Courier has maintained that if the people of a county, eleeting tlieir own ofticers, desire no licenses to be issued they should have tlie right to stop them. ActiDg on this right the voters in ten counties have decided to try prohibition. Now the question is about to be brought befo re tlie people of Wwhtenaw county. It s no longer a political question, any more than is a proposition to bond the county for a court house, or the city lor water-works. Many Republicans wiU vote for it, some against it; a few Deraocrats will vote for it, the tuajoiity against (naturally, Greenbackers, Labor Uniouists, etc. will be divided, each according t his personal convictions. It is not a question of who shall have the spoils of oilice or party patronage, but simply one of public policy. To prohibit or to tax, which will aflbrd the greatestgood to the greatest nutnber? The question must be looked squarely in the face and on all sides. If the voters decide toshutoff the liquor tax general taxes will be slightly raised to make up for the $23,200 now received into the county treasury froin the saloons. On tlie othcr hand, if proliibilion is carried and made a substantial reality no one can dispute but that inimitable good shall spring therefrom. The evils of drinking are more far-reaching than even a Gougli could describe, moreover the power of the saloon in politics has become such that lovers of pure, straight electlons begin exceedingly to fear it. For these reasons many of our best people are disposed to try probibition and will vote for it in hopes that it may result in good to the couimunity both in lessening drunkeness and in crippling the power of the saloon in elections. It is before the people now f ree from politics, as it ought to be, and it should lis discussed thoroughly, thought about columns are open to all for fair discussion without personalities, and we hope every phase of the great question will be brought to light, leaving out any sentiment or political bias.