New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-03-11
TEE TEST OF EXPERIENCE

TIE TEST OF EAPERlENCE
Tie more popular branch of the Massachusetts,
Legislature on Thursday refused to take any step
toward repeating or essentially modify ing the ProhIb
tory Liquor Law of that STATE by vote of more than
two 10 one-by far the largest majority given 10
that House by the State in any way, on the side OF
Prohibition. The vote test one, taken on the
heel Of long speech from the leading advocate of the
liouor interest 10 which no thought proper to
reply otherwise than by calling for the Yeas aud Nays
Tie triumph of Temperance 10 the legislation of Mas
sacLusetts has become a fixed fact, and its champions
deem il no longer necessary to waste words the
e., lisires of their antagonists They might well
inouee IN rhetorical displays and fights Of fancy in
behalf Of the laws which inhbit stealing forgery or any
other crime They have argued their case before the
high court of the Sovereign People and there obtained
decision in their favor Henceorth they have but 10
enforce the judgment and serve the execution.
Ii is now nearly three years since the model act of
Ptohibition-the glorious MAINE LAw-was adopted.
Since then, Vermont Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Michigan Wisconsin and Minnesota, have each passed
Gets contemplating the same end while New-York has
chosen Legislature expressly to follow their benet-
cent exsuple Tie act of Minnesota was submitted
To tie People by them approved aud for that reason
pronounced invalid by the Territorial Judge sent
thther from Washington. In Rhode Island the act,
after years trial. submitted TO the People, and
by them upheld by decisive majority; but the same
Election gave a triumph to the Democratic party,
which BY secret prior understanding with the liquor
interest filed all Executive and Judicial Offices with
the creatures of that interest and thus rendered the
enforcement of the Law temporarily impractesble.
This is game that be played but once, and che
People are preparing to beat 1t 10 their April
Election In Vermont, desperate attempt was made
last fall TO repeal the Law, by combination made up
of Rum, Sham Democracy and bogus Free ollsmi
but it was bdffed and only succeeded 10 somewhat In
pairing the stringency of the enactment But Yer
monts main annoyance grows out of the fact that she
Las bad peigLbors New York Canada and New-Hamp-
shire On three sides OF her persist in poisoning her more
ignorant and weak minded inhabitants with liquor
ard it is very hard to keep it long they cher
in and legally protect it We trust this will not be
much longer
New HAMPSHIRE and Connecticut have each elected
Maine Law House, bat with Governor and Senate
elected under party drill. adverse to any act Of
Prohibition, nothing has yet been accomplished We
trust the obstacles titus interpreted are on the eve OF
d!ssppearing Baltimore has Likewise chosen a full
Maine Law tcket-a premOnitory, we trust, Of the
triumph Of Prohibition in Mary land though 10 that
end another struggle is requisite Pennsy vsna Ohio
and NewJersey have made some efforts in the right
directs but a. yet with limited The friends
Of Prohibition are E9t discouraged, but will try again
ard seaiu Until their Efforts shall be crowned with sue
cess. Indiana and Illinois VIII be powerfully sgtaed
by Maine Law effort at their next Elections Wi.con-
Sin hayir had the question submitted by the Legsla
ture to the People eupha,icay answered Yes bu, the
Legislature seems surprisingly deaf aud talks of pass
pe probititory set and submitting that to the People
to AXE sure that they meant what they said last fail
This is party device to gain time, and it will gain
nothing else. Ultimately, the will Of the msjority
must prevail
The present state Of tie question therefore, may be
summed up thus:
l. Less than three years have transpired since the
frat act Of absolute Prohibition and Conraband Liquor
Destruction was passed in any State and within tits
tine five States and Territory have affirmed the
principle OF Prohibition while another State and the
greatest Of ell, has chosen Legislature TO do like
wise. and seventh (WiscOnsin) has instructed its
Legislature 10 follow in their footsteps
?. Net one State that ever adopted Law of
Prohibition has repealed il and no one instance have
tie People VIXEN sppealed TO failed TO sustain the
principle OF Prohibition by decisive majority
3. Tie cry for repeal grows everywhere weaker
with each years experience of the workings of Proh
bitten When The act of Maine first took effect the
lovers Of liquor or of the profits made BY selling IT,
were confident that they should be able to repeal it
but they have no longer hope of this ard their
iorce in he Legislature has dwindled to handful
In each State where it has been tried Prohibition
has steadily gained ground. Boston has been the
stronghold OF opposition in New-EngaDd as it is the