The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-11-16
Prohibition in PENNSYLVANIA.

The long movement TO subject the
inhabitants of Pennsylvania to pro-
hibitory liquor law will soon te brought
to an end. Upon the meeting of the
Legislature in January tbs first mea-
sure TO be considered probably will be
the resolution to submit a prohib;tory
amendment to vote of the people
With an overwhelming majority In
each branch, the Republicans will en-
counter no difficulty or delay IN redeem
ing their pledges in this respect. It
will be for the Legislature 10 determine
whether the proposed amendment shall
be submitted to the popular decision of
the next regular State election In No
yember, 1889, or whether a special cleo
ton at an earlier date shall be held for
the purpose. Whatever the prohibitory
element in the majority shall deem ad-
visable will be done.
The next question is f: What would
be the fate of a prohlbitory amendment
at the hands OF the people of Pennsyl-
wanna {? A Republican majority Of Co.
600 in the State outside of Philadelphia
may we'll give concern to all those who
regard this species of legislation as
mischIevOus and violative of The per-
soual rights of the citizen. It is not
pretended that majority OF the people
of Pennsylvania are favorable to this
policy, but experience has repeatedly
demonstrated that prohibitory amend
ments are carried by other persons than
Prohibitionists. There are many voters
in the State to whom the present High
License laws are as obnoxious as out>
right Prohibition, and they would vote
for a prohibitory amendment, trusting
that il would be treated by :he Legisla-
ture with the same neglect that has be-
fallen other amendments to the Consti-
tuition of Pennsylvania.
With the brief experience OF the High
License system Of Pennsylvania there is
no doubt that it has the strong approval
of the great majority OF the people.
This is shown by the fact that in many
of the close counties candidates suspect
ed of hostility to High License have
been defeated. In other counties men,
bers who voted for the law have been
reelected by increased msjorities.
While the law may be susceptible of
amendment, especially il those features
which harshly interfere with the inno-
cent social customs and enjoyment OF a
large portion of our citizens, as q system
il is strongly fortified in public opinion
In this situation the obtrusion of a
prohibitory amendment is to be much
sense as a practicable and effective
means of suppressing the evils of the
liquor traffic. Should the prohibitory
amendment be adopted by a vote of the
people chaos might come again. The
High License system would fall to the
ground and would be sCpplanted by i'm
practicable and abortiye enactments to
enforce Prohibition. AS results, the
reign of free but surreptitious whisky
would soon follow. and the Legislature
would be without the constitutional
power to suppress the evil by a High
License law.
In the High License law there IS the
strongest bulwark against the introduce
lion of prohibitory amendment In
Pennsylvania. The people who have
testified their approval of this policy
Will not abandon 1t for the sake of a
doubtful experiment that can only be
partially enforced by trampling upon
the personal liberties or one portion of
the citizens of the State, and by making
sneaks. hypUcritss and law breakers
OF another portion. But the expert
ment will be attempted in spite of the
mischievous consequences that would
attend its success. The next Lesisla-
ture Will pass the amendment according
to programme, and the voters of Penn
sylvania will go through the turmoil
and excitement of pIohibitory liquor
campaign. Yet they are no more than
$1,000 distinctive ProhibitiOnists in the
State, and for 30 insignificant a faction
IL Is proposed to get up this electoral
performance There is just one pleas
ant consideration about the matter
that when once over it would not again
trouble the people OF Pennsylvania for
| long time to come.-Phild. Record