Progress of Local Option in Canada.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 1474, 7 October 1885, Page 5 (Supplement)

Progress of Local Option m Canada.

There is nothing more remarkable than the recent rapid growth of public opinion favorable t> temperance and prohibition ot the s lie of intoxicating beverages. We havy of late become so accustomed to Scott Act victories that we :uo m danger of forgetting that this strong temperance sen tun en I is a thing of a few years' growth. is not, lonj*- since the Dunkin Act was defeated by a large majority m Toronto, anil the Scott Act m Hamilton, then supposed to be the centre of the prohibit ion movement. It was with great dimeuliy the-Scutt Act was cairried m Lanibton and Hulton — now the majorities roll up to hundreds and - thousands. All at once the p»opie of Ontario seemed to become alive to the importance of the evil arising out of the liquor .traffic, and men of all shades of religion and political opinion joined hands to crush a common enemy. It is not too much say that this growing majority m favor of prohibition is composed of the best elements of the community, It is tvne that intelligent anrt moral num of great worth as citizens are found battling against legislation tending or endea - voring to improve public morality — but such men are but a small element m the ranks of the anti-Sr-ott army. WUI this movement continue ? many are asking. Is it a now popular craze, as some contend, or an abiding sentiment ? It is too soon to answer this questiou-TT-and tlie answer will depend largely upon the way the law is enforced m countries whete the Scott Act is puc m operation. If, as m the case of Hal ton, it is fount) that the Act is a benefit — that few bad results follow — and many good ; that men become better citizens under its influeucp — and happiness is brought- to hitherto wretched households — then we may expect an irrusistiblo tide of pnhlio opinion to do what is done m Maine — make prohibition a part of the permanent law of the land. In the meantime it Beenis the vainest of hope on the part of the loaders of the liquor hosts to expect any U-overnnient, m face of a strong- public opinion, to take any action lessening the force of temperance legislation or preventing the people from carrying ont their deter* mination to destroy what they are now beginning to believe a baneful traffic; ."— Toronto Weekly Globe, March 6.