Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-02
The Prohibition Movement.

rom the ~ sun
From the manner and the methods with
which the prohibition movement is pushed,
north and south, there is some possibility that
1t Will become an element in the next Pres-
Dental contest, IL the managers can succeed in
forcing the issue on the regular party conven-
tons.
The aggregate vote for st. John last year was
only Isl 800 in total of 1O,O4S O81 This
small traction appears trfling for political cap
tai, but 1T is more than twice as large as the
Birney vote was in 1914, and that defeated
Mr.. ST. John had scattering support in thirty
four of the thirty-eight states. Tens of thou
sands OF temperance men did not vote for him,
because they saw no possibility of his election
and they therefore put what is called the moral
issue temporarily aside and voted according to
their preferences for Cleveland or for Blaine
But even with this apparently insignificant ag-
gregate the prohibitiOnists actually held the
balance of power in four states. and they might
have determined the presidential election by
exercising it against MIR. Cleveland, as will be
seen by the figures:
In Connecticut Mr.. Cleveland's plurality was
LISA and Mr.. St. Johns vote 2,494.
In New Jersey Mr.. Clevelands plurality was
ALP and Mr.. ST. John vote q. 15}
NEW Nd M1rk 3, Mi Glevelanas plurality was
III Michigan Mr. Blaine's plurality was 3,3OS,
and Mr.. St. Johns vote S,4O3.
These figures have certain significancewhich
sagacious politicians will not be apt to disre-
gard. Small organizations are much more
easily handled than large ones, especially when
/
mental idea. They generally move in solid
column and do their work effectively Their
leaders do not allow modesty to interfere with
propagandism. Every man of them is an ac-
tive apostle of the cause. They now intend to
interroSate candidates for state and for national
offices upon temperance, and to make that
question the test i'm all close cases. Hence small
numbers may, by adroit management be made
TO count as decisive factors In states and cities
vided in strength.
The growth of this movement since last
November Is surprising, as exhibited in the
The recent contest in Atlanta Is perhaps the
most remarkable that has occurred in the his
tory of this organization. The question pre-
sented was plainly for or against local option in
the county of Fulton. The temperance Deonle
carried the day by a small majority against the
commercial interest of Atlanta, after a most
exciting struggle, in which the clergy of nearly
all denominations, women. and blacks and
whites, engaged and iraterniZed, without regard
To- race, according to their sentiments for or
against the traffic in liquor.
More than two-thirds of the counties OF Geor-
gla have decided for local option, and the TEN.
perance reformers are bent on conquering the
remaining opposition.
All; Alabama IS largely affected by the move
and North Carolina, and will be introduced into
the coming legislature of Virginia by bills for
local option. 1t is extending through the West
and the votes for ST. John last wear nv no
means exhibit its strength in Ohio Indiana.
Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin
The failure OF extreme prohibition in its SUD-
posed stronghoids, like Maine, Massachusetts
Kansas, Iowa and other States where the cause
or true temperance has suffered from violent
measures, Will serve as a check to the move
ment and an incentive to more moderate coun-
sells
Democrats and republicans will doubtless
watch the progress of this most interesting ele-
ment in politics with keen interest, because it
threatens both parties with dangerous intru-
sion. Several distinguished leaders on the re-
publican side are prepared to take the reins out
OF 81. Johns hands and to adopt this moral
issue as substitute for their WORKOUT plat
FORMS F