Smyrna times., 1886-08-04
Cameron and Prohibition.
THE SENATOR SAYS THE ISSUE IS
UPON US AND WE MUST NOW MEET
IT.

UPON US AND WE MUST NOW MEET
Senator Cameron seems to be wheel
ing into line on the Quay prohibition
platform in Pennsylvania. In the vote
last Saturday on the motion by Sena-
tor German to lay on the table the
Blair amendment prohibiting the pur-
chase out of funds appropriated by the
United States of any "spirituous or in
toxicating liquors, or tobacco or stimu-
lants or narcotics in any FORM" TO be
used at the dedicatory ceremonies of
the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the
World, the roll-call had commenced.
Allison, of Iowa, before German, had
also made a motion to lay the amend
ment on the table, and accordingly
when his name was called voted yea.
AIdrlch, of Rhode Island, another Re
publican Senator before him had also
voted the same way. Both the Sena-
tors, it might be added, represented
States which had but recently voted
prohibition amendments into their Con-
stltutiOns. When Cameron's name
was called he voted no, or against lay
ing the amendment on the table, and
consequently in favor of the prohibi-
ton of the purchase by Government
funds of spirituOus liquors, etc, on the
occasion above referred to. This Gre
ated sensation and a panic on the
Republican side. The next name called
was COnger, who voted no, and so with
all the Republicans down the list, with
the exception of Evarts, Sherman and
Stanford. At the end of the call Sena-
tors Aldrich and Allison jumped up
and quickly changed their votes and
thus stepped in under the prohibition
cover. The Democrats voted to table.
except Maxey, of Texas, who voted
with the Republicans.
THE LIQUOR ISSUE MUST BE MET.
Senator Cameron, in conversing with
some friends, who incidentally men
toned the Quay plank in the State
platform, said Well, gentlemen,
there's no use talking. The issue is
upon US and we must meet it. There
Is a strong public sentiment that way
in the State in both parties. am not
talking about the Prohibition vote, be-
cause that is a very small part of the
vote in great State like Pennsylva-
MIA. | refer to to the voters who vote
the Republican and Democratic tickets
but who think that some action
should be taken to give the people an
opportunity to declare their position.
Now, mind me, don't believe in anv
ultra or high-handed proceedings, but
square proposition, which the people
clearly understand and can intelligent
ly vote upon"
Well, Senator, what do you think
of an amendment to the Constitution ?"
That is the only way to bring
the subject fairly before the people.
Legislation under such provision in
the Constitution would have the voice
of the people at the back of it. Legisla-
ton without such recognition is mostly
political clap-trap to win votes. We see
in the State persons posing for Office on
a Prohibition ticket whose recent con-
version and political antecedents 1
should think would not meet with
very hearty support from that cause
nor from the leaders who have been
zealously working it up for years.
am satisfied that they will do prohibi-
ton no good. There are men in the
State who have been consistent in their
efforts. They are not doing it for Office
but in philanthrOpic effort to benefit
their fellow creatures. l am not a
straight-laced Prohibitionist and never
pretended to be. do not want to
abridge the rights of anybody, but
we've got this thing to meet and I'm
going to do all can to meet it impair
TALLY. Can't do more than that"
A CHANCE FOR Pennsylvania.
Not very conveniently. But how
will it affect the liquor interests ?"
Well, one thing that impressed me
more than anything else lately was
representative liquor men taking a
hand in this thing themselves. Penn
sylvania always has been great State
for moulding important political issues,
and l believe she's going to do it now.
The liquor men had their convention
and decided to protect their vested
rights and interests against summary
methods. We find their leaders, how
ever instead of Obstructing really en-.
cOuraging fair steps towards regulating
the sale or use of Intoxicating liquors.
Now we will see whether the PrOhibi.
tiOnists will be as liberal. l say let the
extremes get together with the people
and they will settle the ques.
ton quickly enough, both morally
and politically. The question will
come up with greater force in the
national campaign of 1883. Pennsyl.
vania now has a chance to formulate
that issue in a shape so that instead OF
adding to the confusion of parties il
will simplify the issue. The old Abo.
litiOnist party did more harm thar
good, in a certain sense, unit
all the elements in opposition to the
Democratic party, dominated by slave
holders, formed union. 1t was moi
long before the Democrats were driver
to the rear. That will be the exper
fence of the Prohibition party. Idon't
think anybody regrets the results Of
the success of the cOalesced parties OF
1860 and the achievements of the Re
publican party since. The Southern
leaders, if 1 know them, would moi
put their States back to where they
were during the bitter antagonisms be.
tween Southern shareholders and Nor.
thern Doughfaces and Abolitionists
and Black Republicans thirty years
ago. The world moves and the mass