When facing divisive public issues, we're almost always in favor of putting them to a vote as opposed to having officials legislate based on their personal morality. We were encouraged that the Newton County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 last week to put alcohol by the drink to a public vote in November. Commissioners Mort Ewing and J.C. Henderson had voted against putting alcohol by the drink to a vote in the past, but Ewing was absent and Henderson said he was told by constituents that they didn't want Henderson's morals pushed on them.