San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-01-07
Progress OF Prohibition.
From shs g. Louis Christian Advocated

| lrrom tno ~. LOUIS Ourisuhu AuVooatesl
The temperance question is not
dead, nor has it changedits form. A
few of it's advocates dissent, but the
great majority are still for out-and-
out Prohibition. Desiring to keep
posted for the benefit of the readers
of this paper, as well as for our own
satisfaction, we gathered such facts as
were available in regard to the Pro-
hibition feeling, as indicated in the
popular elections, and although we
cannot claim to be entirely exact; we
find that in 1880, fourteen states held
elections,in nine OF which prohibition
votes were cast. In 1881, elections
were held in thirteen states, six Of
which had prohibition votes. The
same was the case in 1882. In 1883.
six of the twelve states gave more or
less prohibition votes. In 1884, four
teen states held elections, thirteen
casting some votes for prohibition.
In 1882 fourteen states voted, but
only eleven gave prohibition votes
The aggregate vote cast in all the
states for prohibition in 1880 was g.
756; in 1881, 4O,216; 1883, So, ,176;
1883, 53,7O4; 1884, 97,961; 1885, 152,-
394.
Those who are old enough, and
were attentive enough, to watch and
to remember, how the abolition vote
commenced about fifty yeare ago,and
crept on from year to year, until final
success; will find o striking analogy
in this prohibition movement. Slow
ly but certainly it is gaining ground.
The feeling in it's favor is spreading
and intensifying most rapidly, and
right or wrong, wise or unwise, expe- |
dent or inexpedient, it is almost sure
sooner or later to prevail.
Advices from Georgia say, that per-
haps in no political campaign has the
feeling been more intense than it is
now. Every possible effort is being
made to thwart the expressed will of
the people, and defeat the prohibition
The case is now before
the courts as constitutional ques-
lion and the result awaited with in
tense anxiety.
From the first, this paper has con-
tended that in a government framed,
md maintained, as is ours, a majority
Of the people unquestionably have
she right to establish and maintain
in regard to the manufac-
.ure and sale of ardent spirits as @
beverage, if they choose. It
will be well TO remember that this ,
md all other important questions
Ihould be discussed calmly and hon.
'st opponents be treated with respect {
whatever we may think Of their opin- {
ons. The work is progressing in al
most all parts of the South. Prohi- K
'ition is maintained in thirty-six i
ounties in Kentucky. In Georgia q
here are one hundred and twenty {
hree counties IN which there is no
icense to sell liquor, and the late VIC
ory at Atlanta will give, or has given,
fresh impetus TO the cause and In
pired its advocates with increased
cal.
Senator Colquitt is reported to
ave declared his entention 10 intro
uce in the United States Senate, q
i'll 10 allow the people Of the District !,
I Columbia 10 vote on the liquor
uestion- He thinks the Federal
'apital should set al example. In this
Q is right Hope be will introduce !
nch q bill and arrange so that every :
enator, and II possible, every Rep !,
sentative in Congress win have to
ut himself on record yea or nay in :
sgArd 10 the question Let the 2
enator proceed, there viii be twenty :
: thirty million Of people, men, vO-
'en and children, 10 accompany him :
ith ther symPathieS prayers, aud :
80 wishes Ap