1T'W V tt T
--:s-
The Commoner
JUNE, 1017
Prohibition and
Progress
By William Jennings Bryan, in New York
Independent.
Prohibition has mad more than a Sabbath's
day's journey since the November election. Tho
adoption of a constitutional amendment in
Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota and Mon
tana, together with the advance recorded in
several other states where the liquor laws wero
made more stringent these all combine to give
to tho movement a decided impetus. Among
tho causes responsible for tho growth of tho
temperance sentiment, three stand out as of
special importance.
First, the decision of the supreme court sus
taining the Webb-Kenyon law vindicated the
contention of those who supported it and com
pletely overthrew tho arguments relied upon
by the opposition. It will be remembered that
the leading opponents of the law relied upon its
unconstitutionality, the dignified and respect
able argument usually resorted to when a legis
lator is ashamed to give the real reason for his
opposition. Nearly all the senators and mem
bers who spoke against the bill when It was up
for passage thundered their protest against the
passage of an "unconstitutional law." It was
vetoed on that ground by one of the most em
inent jurists who has ever occupied the White
house, and he was supported in his position by
tho written opinion of a learned attorney gen
eral. But when the law came before the na
tion's highest tribunal, behold! the court by
a vote of seven to two sustained tho constitu
tionality of the law and virtually declared that
the saloon has no constitutional rights. It was
black Monday for the liquor traffic.
The mortification which this decision has
brought to the "constitutional lawyers" (who
live in wet cities) suggests a rule which it is
safe for legislators to follow, namely: NEVER
VOTE AGAINST A MEASURE ON .THE
GROUND THAT IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
The courts, and the courts alone, have author
ity to decide constitutional questions. If tho
constitutionality argument is allowed to de
feat a pending measure, its validity can never
bo definitely determined because it can never
reach the only forum in which its constitution
ality can be decided. A leg'slator can not err,
therefore, in voting for an uncontsitutional
measure, because the court will prevent its go
ing into force. A legislator can, however, not
only err, but bring humiliation upon himself by
voting against a constitutional measure.
Encouraged by the sustaining of the Webb
Kenyon law, a number of states have passed
what is known as the "bone-dry" law, entirely
excluding tho importation of liquor from with
out the state. These laws are unmistakablo
evidence that the tide against the saloon is still
rising, because in most cases they were passed
in states that have already closed the saloon.
In this connection reference may properly be
made to the amendment, added to the postofiice
appropriation bill just before congress ad
journed, by which the 'government co-operates
with the states in enforcing prohibition against
importation. That amendment denies to inter
state commerce the right to carry prohibited li
quor into states which have themselves taken
such action.
The new statute also comes to the afd of the
states which prohibit the advertising of intox
icating liquor, it being made unlawful to use
the mails for carrying into a state any advertise
ment prohibited by tho state.
The second cause which has operated in favor
of prohibition is to be found in the constitu
tional amendments which have been submitted
during the last three months. Wyoming led in
this, although her legislature had not received
specific instruction in tho subject. In Utah
both parties declared in favor of submission,
and the legislature not only put the amendment
before the public, but closed the saloons by a
yery drastic statute, following the example of
Idaho and Iowa, where statutory 'prohibition
Preceded constitutional prohibition. Minnesota
has joined the states aspiring to prohibition by
submitting a constitutional amendment and is
. )nalderInS statutory prohibition. In
vn L? haa aBain boon submitted
by petition and will bo Voted on this fall.
tnZ L? ,Bt S,Bna1'. not t0 Bay unPectcd, vIc.
in whI IT un Indlana-oiio of the states
in which tho liquor interests had succeeded in
temporally turning back tho tempcranco tide.
Some e ght years ago Indiana went from county
option back to township option, but the seeming
retreat on tho part of the stato only increased
the wrath of tho citizens. This year tho re
bound has not only resulted in the calling of a
constitutional convention, which is expected to
include tho prohibition amendment in the con
stitution, but it has resulted in a very strong
prohibition statute and in enfranchising women
in so far as it can bo dono by statute.
In one state only, Texas, have tho liquor
forces been able to make a successful resistance
and there only because it requires two-thirds
of both houses to submit a constitutional
amendment. The democrats at the state pri
mary declared in favor of submission and a
considerable majority in both houses favor pro
hibition. At this writing it Is still hoped that
the people may bo given an opportunity to pass
upon tho amendment. Tho strenuous fight
which is being made against submission would
seem to indicate that the advocates of tho Ba
loon realize tho hopelessness of their case It tho
people once secure an opportnulty to voto on
tho question.
Tho third causo for encouragement is tho
passage by congress of the bill making the Dis
trict of Columbia . dry. More than two-thirds
of the senate membership went on recoru a
favoring prohibition in the District of Colum
bia and the voto in the house was almost exactly
two to one. It received the President's sig
nature. This is a triumph, a great triumph, the
importance of which can hardly be over
estimated. If there is any force in the doctrine that tho
people shall rule, then It logically follows that
tho saloon is from now on an outlaw, a fugitive
from justice. A majority of tho people live In
dry. territory, and the majority of the people's
representatives in the senate and houso faith
fully reflect the views of their constituents in
opposing the saloon. The accursed thing ex
ists only because the constitution, by its ultra
conservative provisions, restrains the majority
from immediate and decided action.
The progressive sentiment of tho country is
not only handicapped by having to secure the
control of the senate, houso and executive be
fore it can carry out its program, but, to secure
a change in tho constitution, it must control
two-thirds of both houses and three-fourths of
tho states. The advocates of prohibition have
at last practically overcome tho first obstacle
and It is quite certain that a national amend
ment prohibiting the manufacture and sale of
intoxicating beverages will bo submitted by tho
congress elected last fall. As national prohibi
tion is stronger than state prohibition en
forcement being easier in tho larger unit there
is great probability that the amendment will be
ratified by tho necessary three-fourths vote of
tho states.
All In all, it has been a great year for tho
workers in behalf of temperance; Bacchus and
Barley Corn aro on the run, and neither is
steady on his legs. Alcohol Is still above ground,
hut it is, so to speak, a disembodied spirit. With
the white flag of prohibition waving over tho
nation's capltol, just below the Stars and
Stripes, the new emancipation is at hand.
As further proof that tho world does move
the legislature of Wisconsin has voted to sub- '
mit the prohibition question to tho voters of
the state at the April election in 1918, to go
into effect in 1920 if it carries. Milwaukee is
given a splendid opportunity to prove herself
famous In another and different way.
The city men are merely doing a little more
rooting on the side for the farmer than usual.
When we see them leaving their jobs and clos
ing their stores to go out and help garner tho
, we will be able to determine whether
SS 'man It or are firm believers in tho old
theory of letting George do it.
Mr Bryan says he is for i everything tho
American government is for. That's the way
fo?an Tmedcan to talk.-Dallas (Tors) News.
Why United States
Entered War
A Washington dispatch, datod Mny 23, saya:
No nation that respected Itself or tho rights of
humanity could longor havo borno tho over
whelming wrongs that Oormany inflicted upon
tho United States, President Wilson declared in
a lotter ro-statlng tho reasons for the nation's
ontranco into the war, writton to Roprcsontn
tlvo Heflln of Alabama and mado public at tho
Whlto house.
Mr. Hoflln had writton to tho President say
ing somo of the recent utterances of tho war
had caused confusion over tho Issuo with Ger
many, in restating his position tho President
again made It clear that the United States had
no quarrel with the German peoplo, but with an
autocracy "which acts upon purposes to which
tho Gorman peoplo havo never consented."
Tho letter follows:
"It Is incomprehensible to mo how any frank
or honest person could doubt or question my
position with regard to tho war and Its objects.
I havo again and again stated the very serious
and long-continued wrongs which tho imperial
Gorman government has perpetrated against
tho rights, tho commerce and tho citizens of
the United States. Tho list Is long and over
whelming. No nation that respects ItBolf or tho
rights of humanity could havo borno thoso
wrongs any longor.
"Our objects In going Into tho war have boon
stated with equal clearness. Tho wholo of tho
conception, which I take to be the conception of
our follow countrymon with regard to tho out
come of the war and tho terms of its settle
ment, I set forth with the utmost oxpllcltncss
In an address to the senate of tho United
States on the 22d day of January Inst. Again,
in my message to congress on tho 2d of April
last, those objects wero stated In unmistakable
terms. I can concelvo no purposo in seeking
to becloud this mattor except tho purtwBO of
weakening the hands of tho government and
making tho part which tho United States Is to
play In this great struggle for human liberty an
inefficient and hesitating part.
"We are in war for our own reasons and
with our own objects clearly stated, and shall
forget neither the reasons nor the objects.
"There is no hato in our hearts for the Ger
man people, but there Is a resolve which can not
bo shaken even by misrepresentation to over
come tho pretensions of the autocratic govern
ment which acts upon purposes to which tho
German people have never consented."
PRESBYTERIANS DECLARK FOR SUFFRAGE
By a largo majority tho Presbyterian church
in the United States of America (North) adopt
ed a resolution declaring for woman's suffrage
The resolution was Introduced by Dr. John
B. Rendall of Chester, Pa., president of Lincoln
University, and was passed by the general as
sembly after some debate.
The text of the suffrage resolution is as fol
lows: "Whereas, In our history the Influence of
women has been invaluable In all such moral
reforms as temperance and honest govern
ment; and,
"Whereas, The Presbyterian Church believes
in utilizing every force In tho new and larger
work lying before this country; and,
"Whereas, We recognize that Christian wives
and mothers should be given an opportunity to
assist in the great work of Introducing Into
civic life more of the true spirit of practical,
Christianity; therefore be It
"Resolved, That wp, the commissioners to
the general assembly of the Presbyterian chur.chy
of the U. S. A., assert our belief In the justice,,
wisdom and righteousness of the enfranchise-!
ment of the women of our country." .
Congress having made up its mind that it is
evidence of an unpatriotic act to corner the .food
supply of tho nation and run tho prices up o
consumers and ihaa prescribed heavy penalties
for those who thus openly work against tb0,bt
Interests of the country, we now have a mom
vivid idea of what constitutes real .preparattoa
for war. .. u.o ...
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