The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-06-14
SHALL ITBE ABOLISHED2

If we are to repeal the amendment
prohibiting the manufacture and sale
Of intoxicating liquors, we might as
well do so ut once. The amendment
was honest enough as far as IL went,
but it did not 90 far enough. What
is the use of prohibiting the sale of
these things as long as we permit
them to be purchased. If it is the
proper thing to have our sideboards
well stocked with liquors, if it is the
proper thing TO treat our friends, or
TO be treated by them, why then it is
proper that the individuals who en-
able us to do these proper and dcsir-
able things, should be protected in so
doing. This is the right and the
wrong of this amendment. IL is one
sided and unfair. Every Individual
ought to have equal rights throughout
this republic. There should be no
determinations as to privileges, and
no determinations as TO offences and
punishments. The Prohibitory
amendment is an outrage upon the
principle of equality and fair play,
and nothing of such one-sded
nature can succeed anywhere in this
republic.
This is entirely outside of the Ques-
ton of rum and its effects. Rum
drinking if carried to excess is great
evil. 1t is doubtful is at least n
debatable question whether intoxicat-
ing liquors are Of any benefit what
ever to mankind. But if they are not,
let them be absolutely prohibited 1;
while if they are, it is rs proper that
they should be sold as that they
should be bought.
We are arguing upon the right and
the wrong of this amendment. What
ever the terms of the amendment are,
their force has been absolutely
emascuatcd by the statute law which
was ostcnsibly enacted for their en-
forcement. This chapter in the Pub
lie laws, this alleged "Act for the
Suppression of Intemperance" is real
" an act for the cvading Of the Pro-
hibitory amendment. Ii enables
pharmacists to get around the law
it provides for the sale of foreign or
alleged foreign liquors; it really pro-
tects the wholesalers and the man
uracturcrs, and it virtually threatens
the honest citizen who complains Of
the violation of the law with fine,
because, it compcls him to give heavy
bonds for the conviction OF the per-
sons he complains against.
Now rs TO the enforcement of this
alleged "Act for the Suppression of
Intempcrance." The law, bad and
dishonest as it is, is not enforced. 1t
is evaded everywhere. Both of the
great parties i'll this State object to
its enforcement, and every officer
who owes his position TO their SUI
premacy knows that he must conform
his action TO the party policy.
Well, what is the prospect for the
future? The political Prohibitionists
are the only ones who honestly desire
10 sec Tic ldNs ttIllCN OuN' u NV W
called Law and Order Men and Anti
saloon Republicans are only scolders.
They help carry out the schemes OF
the law breakers by their votes, and
therefore they are practically mere
tools Of the saloons.
TO sum up, then, there is no hope
or the enforcement of Prohibition, and
therefore the sooner the amendment
is repealed the better. We are living
under license-unlimite license-in
all but the name. We might as well
call things 10y their right names, and
by enacting license law, compel the
liquor sellers TO pay something
towards the support Of the paupers
and the caring for the insane, the
idiotic and the criminals, whom their
business creates. - East Greenwich
Pendulum.