Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-05-23
TEMPERANCE AND POLITICS
The Democratic State Central Committee
lsked to J0t,s IN the A0dtatton-T7sey De-
Glare ts outside of Their Province.

Inc democratic State Central Committee
lshed to Jots IN the A0atotton-TAey De-
Glare N outside Of Their Province.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, March IS, 1882.
Hon. VIM. Crooks:
DEAR SIR: The chairman OF the constitu-
tional amendment agitation committee to the
chairman Of the State Central Democratic
committee greeting: have the hOuor to
represent, In part, q movement In this state
which has for its single aim, the adoption by
the people OF an amendment to the cOnsti-
tuition OF the state which shall prohibit, with
In its bounds, the importation, manufacture
and sale Of all Intoxicating liquors as bev-
erage.
Our first effort will be directed towards &C.
curing q legislature that will submit this
question to the legal voters Of the state for
their adoption or rejection.
l need not submit to you, nor discuss with
you now, the methods by which we hope to
accomplish the object at which we aim. 1t is
plain, however, that the main struggle will be
when the question shall be given to the people
for their decision. desire to earnestly ssk,
ought there to be occasion for any struggle
prior to that? Democracy, as understand it,
means government or rule by the people.
Both constitutions and statutes are enacted,
either directly or indirectly, by them. They
have reserved to themselves the especial right
to say bydirect vote whether there shall be made
any, and II so what, amendments to the con-
stitution OF this state. This being so, desire
to ask you. as the chairman of the state CEN
trail Democratic committee
First-If, when any respectable portien OF
the people OF the state request, by petition,
that the legislature submit to the qualified
electors Of the state special amendment to
the constitution, 1t be not the duty Of the
legislature to provide for such submission at
the next general election.
Second-Since it is already certain that q
large and respectable portion, viz: the temper
ance and religious elements of the state are
in favor Of constitutional prohibition, is it
net fair proposition to 60 before the people
with this question and let the popular vote
settle it?
Third-Ought there to be any necessity for
a preliminary contest in order to determine
the quality Of the next legislature, 80 that
the people may not be cheated out OF their
right to say how they will govern themselves
in respect to the traffic in alcoholic drinks,
whether they will constitutionally prohibit
or continue to license the traffic?
Fourth-Why can not the Democratic party
in Minnesots, without in the least committing
itself to the politics of temperance, say to
the people Of this state, you shall have fair
opportunity to try this great question at the
ballot-box at the next general election after
the meeting of the next legislature!
You will readily see that If these points are
conceded by the parties the matter Of temper
ance, at least SO far as the question Of consti-
tutional prohibition is concerned, will be
eliminated from party politics, and every man,
whether Democrat or Republican, will be free
to vote his own personal convictions in regard
to this subject.
Hoping to hear from you soon, and favora-
ably, touching this matter, l am, very re.
specifically, yours, etc,
j. F. CHAFFEE, Chairman G. A. A. G.
THE ANSWER.
HEADQUARTERS MINNBsoTA DEMoCRATIC1
STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE,
ST. PAUL, 22d May, 1889.
J. r. Chaffee, Esq, President c Constitutional
Amendment Agitation Committee, Mime
apolis, MINI.
DEAR SIR: Your communication of March
as, 1882, was received and Immediately &C.
knowledged. The Democratic state central
committee met at st. Paul on the 10th inst,
and had referred to it your letter, signed as
president Of your committee. lam instructed
by the committee Of which / am chairman,
to state to you sthat the subject matter OF
your letter is entirely outside the province OF
this committee" am respectfully,
VIM. CROOKS,
Chairman Democratic State Central Com.
mittee,