The Washington critic., 1888-02-29
THE CASE IN nRIEF.


ness of the women who appeared be-
fsre the Senate Committee the other
day as advocates of the cause of pro-
hibition in this District and to the
honesty of the gentlemen who took
ground against it, there was probably
never a question more lamely or
loosely argued before a Congressional
committee, neither side rising to
really logical grasp of its merits.
On the one hand, there was little
but sentiment; on the other, little but
prejudice.
The great arguments in the case
seem to have been strangely over
looked. There is nothing clearer, on
general principles, than the right of
governments to eradicate as well as
mitigate that which is shown to be an
evil; and if the traffic in alcoholic
spirits is prolific of so much misery
and crime that its individual benefits
count for nothing in the comparison,
most assuredly may it be dealt with
as at enmity with the public welfare
and deserving only of condemnation.
But if il can he demonstrated that
the demand for intoxicating beverages
is SO strong and universal as to render
laws inhibiting their use impractica-
bic, and that the better course is to
place the traffic under restrictions cal
culated to reduce the evils which can
not be wholly legislated out of exist
ence, the opponents of prohibition
hold strong position.
In any event the determination OF
the best policy to be adopted must de-
pend largely on public sentiment.
Wherever the people of any COM
munity, county, or State are so agreed
as TO the unbearableness Of the liquor
traffic and the necessity of its aboli-
tion, that nothing short of absolute
prohibition will satisfy them, it is un-
dQubtedly their right to prohibit.
Where the question is one of doubt
il should be settled by fair test of
popular feeling at the polls, as to
whether prohibition, local option or
high license is the better policy.
Where the people demand the license
system, license system it should be,
and facts and figures are abundant to
show that, especially in the larger
cities, license is much the surer
method of abating The evils of intem-
perance than system of restriction,
which produces no revenues and can
not be effectively enforced.
Under no circumstances, however,
should prohibition be arbitrarily i'm
posed upon the District of Columbia
against the calm and deliberate judg-
meDt of the great body of its citizens.
THE New JERSEY REPUBLICANS are
working up decided boom for Will
lam Walter Phelps for the Presidency,
and the New Jersey Prohibitionists are
equally enthusiastic for Clinton b.
Fisk. They are both good men, but
we don't believe in going out of the
country for candidates.
SEVERAL prominent Government
officials here have recently been as
sociated with movement that under
strict construction of the Civil Surface
Law might be considered as savoring
of offensive partisanship, the object
in view being to work the Democratic
postmasters throughout the country
for political information. But they
diselaim any direct participation in
this undertaking, excepting as they
may approve in general way all
legitimate means for promoting the
success of their party. The gentle
men specially mentioned in this con,
nection, Judge Maynard of the Treas
ury and Mr. Benedict of the Govern.
ment Printing Office, state that they
have been misrepresented and put in
false light, TO subserve the partisan
interests Of the enemy and that t.
their knowledge no letter or circular
TO Tostmasters, with or without theil
signatures, has ever been sent out
Consequently the homily that was
read TO them yesterday by tire New
York Times was uncalled for, and is 81
much loves labor lost. THE Critic
is bound TO accept the statements o
these gentlemen as yeracious, Il
would only suggest from its own in
dependent and unprejudiced stand
point, that while the participation o
efiice-holders in political campaign
does not constitute crime, nor ever
serious offense, there are obvious
reasons why in matters Of this kline
they should be exceedingly circum
spect.