New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-28
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
DOES PROHIBITION PROXIMITY
IA, FdttOr OF The Tribune.

To me EdttOr or The Trtbune. %
SIR: In your late editorial on Prohibition
NJ Home and Abroad" you ask tho question docs pro-
bIpton prohibit and you quote the Row. DIR. Hill a.
saving that after co years OF observation he has never
known an much drunkenness In the streos OF Portland
"a at present and you add that In Massachusetts the
general testimony is that prohibition Is something moro
and something than failure WIN you allow an
odmirer and subscriber OF THE TRIBUNE from the start
and an honest voter for its honored founder as Pres
dent on the ground OF his superior satesmansmp, ana
his postiop and character total Abstancr and FRO
hitio,is TO say first that here Massachusetts, pro-
bIbitton does prohibit and because 1t does 30 prohiO
louor- makers and squordesers are universally clam
orous for It's repeal Gov Washburn says, In his late
annual message: ~
The existing statute has been in force nut about eieht
months ana IL yet too early TO say now ehcfclohs
can be made. Outside the large cues, 10 threeoult.s
OF the State 1t has accomplished an we nad tuasoh 10
believe II could accomplish up TO this date Wnat re-
mains for us them as wise men, but 10 stand by the law
and resist the opposing elements win unnonR .
are and unabateh ard0rl 80 long IA nneeTho Oh tue
c mes committed in our State are traceaDe 10 he U.s.
of Intoxicating liquors. so long as threeourus ., .io
inmates penal institutions are chafgeaDe 70 ,no
account against ardent spirits, 80 long must we struggle
for the overthrow OF the traffic therein. favor me
existing law not 1t is faultless in all its detas
has yet accomplished al that was oesit'u w ie
devised TO bring about the end seek IN common WIN
majority Of our telOwCiizens. That We Olgnb 10 use
all available means TO break down the traine wncn
much suffering nave not siauoW VI nv ~
The struggle IN which We aro engaged Is thai Oh the
highest aud best element OF society TO pto1ecs t %
agust tbs calamiie3 which the lowest ana worst ere
ment continually undertakes TO bring upon US Ile euo.
IN this behalf may not succeed 1,ly or O"'
The present Prosecuting Attorney OF Massachusetts
the Hon Charles X. Train though not professed Pro
hbltiOnIst like the Governor, was frank ana manly
enough after doing best by appointment 70 frame
judcious License law" aud giving t up in despair to
tell the Legislature that it's only choice was between
legal prohibition and free rum.
I'D,
ney declared before grand inquest on the subject OF
prohibory legislation. That the law was rs powerful
a ono as could b, made, and would conquer that lead
ing rumsellers OF Boston were coming ana saying, II
the State IN earnest, as 1t now appears 10 Do "o must
second: In regard to the asserted failure of the Pro
hiDtory law Maine 20 stop drunkenness. whlch inc
use Of d.. Hlfs alleged testimony III respect 10 fOTt-
hand goes to arguc tue following are inc iaest ldC's
In two Of the county jais Of ths STATE thoTs IS n1
single occupant. Ia the state Prison AT lnomds.on'
there a rlOu5 falling OF Of the NUMBER o inmates.
are only 49, Ana IN an tc Jhs au p.isons va VI
STATE they are only about 2)) Aud It u cOhnientIy
alleged by intelligent 29sgryer9 NAV % Garr "a
criminals Is due To the Pr9n.oItorF lt",
man Frye State Attorney Of Name Tor ton years siu
Of the law g IL has gradually created puDlc senu,
ment against both selling ana drink.nH, 80 tlaI tno
large majority OF moderate Respectable drinkers nave
become aDstiners" Local taxation through the reduc
ton OF criminal the prevention ~ lntoHtcaOn
and the expenses living. reduced IN miine
les wages than they can get in other states. ,..,
There facts which cannot BE- gnsayel or resi5,Gn
and which, I think. answer the qucStOn-Docs Tiohioi
ZION Pr0nmti Tie Pgoh!bt0ly law Is no moro a
failura in Maine aud Mnsslchusetts than - Tue Jaw
ng,in,t murder and arson failure. And let tho
National Commission Of Inquiry a. 10 me Worklus VI
u~,hihiory legislation asked FOR OF Congress, DC
pronied the result could not be anything but tri-
Imn,ant yiniicatiOn Of the policy OF prohibition.
All lat there be coupled with IL inquiry into the
Working OF State COastabuary, ana Gle people OF
ali the states would forthwith resolve, a. they nave
lteIy dom. IN Pennsylvania THAI all experience
has proved that the traicer5 IN alcoholic ia Ors Wi
obey no law human divine unless lckci by Official
force indepeDdent local Influences, we, therefore,
recommend To people OF PENNSYLVANIA TO p'ul0n
The Legislature TO aDlisn State Police, appoinedb ny
the Governor whose duty 1t shall BE- % eXccati Al Laws
OF tne Common wealth. HENRY l. ChEE'ER'
Worcester, MISS, FeU. - 1874.