Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22
THE PRoHlerT,oNIsTS
Their New Dep1rture-Workng for
Myth Instead Of Reality.

tSGNtS
Their New Dep.rture-working for .
Myth Instead Of Reality.
The recent decision Of the Supreme Court
IN the Iowa case, to the effect tia. a State
common carriers from bringing liquors with
in its area, has proved a damper upon the
programme Of the Prohjbitionists IL the
matter Of instituting and enforcing State
prohibition. Notwithstanding the previous
decision of the court IN the Kansas case that
a State is substantially absolute in its author
ity 10 wipe out the liquor traffic within its
own borders.
At this iuncture the Prohibitionists have,
says the Chicago Tribune, decided to ex-
tend the area Of their agitation and. while
keeping up their fight within State lines, TO
expend their force mainly upon the National
Congress, with the expectation of ultimate
~ securing prohibition amendment 10 the
Federal constitution. This is one of those
sweeping acts of generalization which often
characterize the policy Of reformers Of the
prohibition class, who are working for a
cause without any reference to the indiyia-
uals who are 10 be affected by it or the
agencies by which it is to be put in prac-
teal operation. Probably not one of these
pseudo reformers has ever stopped 70 con-
slider the forces which must be overcome
before such an amendment could be
adopted, the forces which would have 10
be overcome if il were adopted, or the Ma
tional dangers which would grow out Of an
attempt 70 enforce it. As the Tribune has
often before informed them. they must Sc
cure two-thirds vote of both houses Of
Con gress. Conceding this TO be possible
they must then secure three-fourths Of the
Legislatures Of the States before their
amendment can be incorporated IN the con-
stitution.
Assuming that they could accomplish this,
which is not within the limits of probabil
ity, then they must see to IT that the amend
ment IS enforced, which would be the most
herculean task of all There are already
amendments to the constitution which can
not be enforced, although the sentiment of
tle majority Of the people is in favor of their
enforcement, and thus far, notwithstanding
the aid OF additional legislation, the author
ity Of the Government has not been strong
enough to secure respect for them in one
section of the National domain. Would
prohibition amendment fare any better, par
ticularly when it would interfere with the
local rights and privileges of the people,
whereas the equal rights and suffrage
amendments are clearly National in charac-
ter2 Making the violent assumption that
the ProhibitiOnists might establish prohibi-
ton as a National principle, then It would
rest upon them to enforce il. To prepare
for this entirely new machinery would DC
requisite. The existing courts, already
clogged with business and unable 10 catch
up with it, could do nothing.
An entirely new system Of Federal
courts, embracing every city and important
town, would have to be established. with an
army Of judges, clerks and officials to an
nounce and register their DEGREES, listen 20
complaints. and prosecute suits. Thousands
upon thousands Of Federal policemen, con-
stables, spies and detectives would have to
be engaged to ferret out violations of the
law and enforce penalties. II the system Of
espionage necessary TO the collection of reve-
nue. taxes is already odious, what would be
the sentiment with regard TO that system Of
epsionage which would include every mans
place of business and every mans resi-
dencea And to what end all this machinery,
with its multitude Of oficialsl Would it
have any other purpose than wanton VIC
lation OF the reserved rights of the people
to manage their social and domestic affairs
themselves How long would the people
endure such a willful, unlawful and odious
invasion Of their rightsl
In view of the utter impracticabiIity Of
National prohibition it is astonishing that
these so-called reforms do not see that the
only hope OF the restriction of the liquor
trafac les within the lines of the Re
publican party. The Democratic party is
hopelesly committed to whisky and the
dramshop. 1t does not want the traffic re-
stricted. The immense majority of the Re-
publican party are friendly to temperance,
and are doing all they can to promote it and
at the same time lessen the drink evil by
such practical legislation as experience has
shown will accomplish it. Upon what
principle of consistency, therefore. do these
political Prohibitonists antagopize their
efforts and seek to defeat all Temperate
legislation by playing into the hands Of the
Democrats and the saloons! Instead of
working for National prohibition, which is
myth, they would do better by working
for Republican temperance legislation which
Is reality.