New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-19
PROHIBITION IN RHODE ISLAND.

PROHIBITION IN RHODE ISLAND
The State of Rhode Island has added another
to the already numerous proofs of tho impos-
sibility of executing law which shall be abso-
lutely prohibitory of the sale of intoxicating
drinks as beverage. During the adminlatri-
ton of Gov Howard the system OF the state
Constabuary. in connection with the Proinbitory
Law, was given probably AZ fair trial as It
could receive anywhere. The State IL small
and compactly settled, and the difficulties
in tho WAY of the action of tho State authOri-
ties, which would have been found in the larger
States, were comparatively unknown. There
is 10 cause to doubt the perfect fairness
and discretion with which the Governor
stroye to execute tho law. Ho went
about it, simply determined to put the statute
ia force because it WAS the law. He was not
disposed to evade it for political purposes. as
he had no desire to continue in pubic Life.
He was moi Influenced in his action by any
fanatical belief in or devotion to the cause OF
prohibition. The law in his hands was saTo
not only Of fair play. but OF judicioils aud
friendly administration. 1t is therefore no
fault Of any one, except OF human nature In
general, and the very necessity OF things, That
the law has never been executed, but has kept
the State in turmoil ever since 1t was
passed. We think no one will as
scrt that it has even checked tho
salo and consumption Of ardent spirits ID tho
State. Ii has, perhaps, made it n little more
difficult for tic average loafer to get his dram
Some of his old haunts have been broken mp,
aud the new ones which have taken their
place keep up = little samblance OF secrecy.
But no one who knows anything of The habits
of drinking man will say that slight difficulty
in the way of his getting his dose will reform
him. Obstacles only render it mo.e precious.
A well-nforIued writer, speaking of The result
in Prov idenca, has said that where one
shop closed its front door, dozen opened
their back doors half way A still worse re-
suit was 10 giving to those who were not
habitual drinkers the temptation held ont by
secrecy and the delight OF defying law.
Hundreds Of drinking clubs sprang up every
where which would never have existed but for
tho statute. A few dozen men would hire q
room, store in it demijohn or two, and each
would purchase key, and go there as he
chose, charging himself i'll a book kept for the
purpose for whatever he took. Young men,
who never would have entered public bar
room, found it very amusing to indulge with
casual acquaintance in this furtive entertain
ment. Many belonged to several clubs in differ
ent parts of the city, and it became q cheap
sort OF distinction for frivolous youths to accu-
mulate these club-keys on their watch-chains
The worst OF this violation of law was that every
body was conscious Of 1t, and there ia no more
injurious moral poison for community than
this consciousness on tho one side OF laws dis
regarded, and on the other OK Offenses unpun-
ished. similar situation Of things was
once described in Connecticut as agreeable
"to everybody; the temperance men had
"their law, and tho whisky men had
"thcir num- This bitterly ironical resume gives
an idea of what Rhode Island has gained by
her recent liquor legislation. We have already
noticed at length the conflict OF authority be-
between the State Constabulary and the United
States authority, which but for the discretion
displayed by prominent OfIlciala might easily
have brought on the most important complies
tions, and oven resulted in blOOdshed. The
simple truth was that tho law was not sus-
tanned by public opinion, and the charge OF IFS
violation, either by private citizens or by the
Federal authorities, did not produce upon the
public mind that salutary shock which is tho
safeguard of law in democratic country.
At the recent State election Mr.. Lppitt, the
Republican candidate, who wac sustained by
the i-Probibi;ionists, failed Of election by
reason of bolt of Independent Republicans,
reinforced by The Prohibitionists. The cleo
ton Of Governor therefore devolved upon the
Legislature, Bat, for the same reason, the
Legislature was in doubt, large number Of
districts having failed to elect. Last week,
however, these districts held second election,
which seems to have resulted In the success of
enough candidates Oh the regular ticket,
supported by the anti-prohibition in
terest, to secure Mr.. Hppitt's election
and the repeal Of the State ConstabuaIy aud
Prohibition lava. It IL to be hoped that this
Legislature when it comes together will show
that il has learned something by tho expert
monts OF the last year or two. A large ma
jority OF tho pooplo of the State dcplore the
evils OF intcmperancG and arc In favor Of
every practicable means to regulate aud re-
strain as far as possible the traffic and
the uso Of Intoxicating liquors. In every
such measure, founded upon reafOn, tie
Lawmakers may DO sure of tho sympathy
and support OF the population. They will
make II great mistake il they imagine that tho
late election is q declaration against the cause
of temperance. II Is simply public ccknowl-
IL