The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-17
Will the Prohibition Amendment Pro-
hibIt?-A Reign of Free whisky.

Public attention has been attracted so exclusive
ly to the consideration OF the principle of prohi-
bition, or prohibition as measure of political
policy. that it has almost totally lost sight of the
practical measures proposed by which it is in
tended TO reach the end sought By the prohibi.
tionists. The writer Of this himself an opponent
of the liquor traffic; is in favor of its abol.tion
is believer in the right and policy Of all such
practical legislation as viii be effective not only
to repress and lessen the evils of the traffic. but
such will recognize the traffic itself as a cen
trail evil to be got rid OF in the sDeediest manner
consistent with a proper recognition of existing
conditions and of rights and equities
growing out OF the same. Whether an at
tempt at immediate and unconditional pro-
hibitiOn would be right in itself the effect
I've method of reaching the end sought is de-
oatable question so often and so ably discussed
By Others that do care to edd thereto. But
surely we who believe in the right to prohibit,
and that all legislation on the subject ought to
tend in the direction of and advance the cause of
practical prohibition, should pause long enough
to ask what would be the consequences Of the
adoption of the proposed amendment for the
adoption of which the temperance hosts are so
earnestly contending. Will it prohibit? VIII it
settle the vexed question and Danish it from the
halls OF legislation? Is our battle with the traffic
over when the amendment becomes part of the
Constitution? II so let us cheer On the fight and
sdhere to the present method OF attack. The
amendment reads:
Section /. The manufacture sale or keeping
for sale in said State sprituous vinous malt lq-
medicinal, scientific, mechanical, aud wines for
Sacramental purposes, shall be and is hereby for
ever prohibited in the State OF Indiana.
Sec. p the General Assembly of Indiana shall
provide by law in what manner. by whom and at
what places such liquors shall be manufactured
or sold for medical, scientific, mechanical and
sacramental purposes
This amendment is not self-enforcfng; i. e., it
requires the ala of legislation to enable the off
GERS of the law to enforce obedience to it. With
out the aid of punitive enactments the manufac-
turer and seller of liquors may simply defy any
one who may complain of their refusal TO obey it
There is no law by which obedience could be en-
forced or disobedience punished.
1t would stand in the same class with such sec
tons of the Constitutij IN as that which forbade
the immigration OF negroes. The prohibition was
absolute, but it required punitive legislation to
make 1t respected Oiher sections were, and some
yet are OF like character in this respect-mere
dead letters, until by the aid of legislation they
were or shall be made of practical effect cite
section ~ Of Article /, relating TO exemption
laws; Section l, Article s. relating to education;
Sections aud of Article ., relating Benevo-
lent institutions anu House OF Refuge; also,
that par; of the amendment lately adopted which
relates to the registration OF voters.
think it must be conceded that the adoption
of the amendment proposed viii not be effective
to stop the manufacture or sale of liquors unless
the General Assembly shall see it to enact meas
ures for its enforcement. Those who have looked
to the adoption a consummation OF their hopes
ty,a cd NJ lohn nd "a
stretching before them-will be placed under the
same dependence, ohangeable public opin-
ion, purchaseable Legislature, or party exSgen-
cies, that they now complain of. and that have
urged, them on to demand Constitutional prehibi-
ton ratsSer than legislation merely. Whether or
not the amendment would be enforced could
depend entirely ON the viii, of each. successive
Legislature.
Again, the adoption of this amendment would
be the repeal of ali our present la srelGtiDg to
the '.3egula.ion" of the sale of Intoxicating
liouors for the reason that you not provide or
enforce laws for the regulation of a traffic
which the Constitution prohibits ALL licenses
would become void; all bonds given to secure CD
servsree of the present lawswould become non
enfoEeible. The time which woUld' intervene be-
tween the adoption of the amendment and the
passage of laws for ias enforcement might &c
devoted by any. person, WnaLefer MS cnardctGf
or qualifications, for the sale Of houor IN
lauvi ouantsiy and at any place, sad
no. punishment could be visited On him therefor.
IL might be suggested that the Legislature which
su1mits tina amendment might raqIire the Fote
70 be taken during Is sitting and Il IL is adoEted.
r1iht Ut once enack The legislation 10 enforce ii.
| This would lesson the evils auA inconvenience
resulting, but considering the vg0T OF the cJ,posi
sion which is made 1t is very GO0Otful whether
1--we may hope much from the next Assem-
< bly, and Il would haye the eGeeS 10 cut Of the
OF tho
OF fore tae people Its merits well as fix the
election at pe,s0d of the year when il is very
dificuE 10 get full expression of tho people at
the rolls owing TO irclensercies o. weather
add difficulties uf travel The msj0zssy OF those
| who Svor subInisslon are themselves now refus-
| ing 10 express an opinion on the merits of the
proposition, p-eferrl1g 70 Raeogn tz only one issue
as pxoperly before the peoyle. an that is .SSall
thu voice OF the people 20 hesrd the ques-
/ tion?n There Ougat 10 DO Opportunity afforded
for full aud free debate before the vote Is taken,
aud that could be had only at such tine as the
people can assemble at outdoor meetings.
I Again, the only valid legislation that could be
had this question after The adoption of the
amendment would be in the nature Of provision
for the enforcement Of prohibition. The temper.
ance people take the baZsrd OF being able. at al
times to secure Legislature that will be radical
enough in views to sand squarely for prohibition
no Compromise position in the nature Of local
option otherwise would be ConstitutioDally
tenable. This presup poses somewhat radical
rial. III the Suggestions here nade are well taker
a query naturally s.rises and must arise in the
mind of every ore who desires the success OF the
cause of tempers nee and that is. III the old bat
{ lie between tho forces OF temperance and intem