The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-01-18
Friday. Jan. Is, Ns9.
rhe New and VAal Issae.

Under this caption the Philadelphia
Times is forced to acknowledge the supre-
macy OF the liquSf prohibition question. ln
presenting the subject Of the amendment to
the constitution of Pennsylvania which the
legislature of that state has been forced to
the psint Of submitting the Times says:
.Hitherto the question Of absolute prohi-
ton Of the manufacture ard sale OF all IN
toxicating liquors as beverage in Pennsyl-
vania, has been generally regarded as one
ofthe many side issues which rise and per-
ish in the swift mutations of our free polIti-
cal system; but to-day the Prohibition ques-
ton is practically face 10 face with the peo-
pie and must soon command their sober
consideration and decision. The legislature
Of 1887 passed by an overwhelming major
ity in both branches, the following joint res
olution proposing the submission TO the
people of Prohibition amendment to the
Constitutions:
joint resolution proposing an amendment
TO the constitution of this Commonwealth:
SEC. Be it resolved by the Senate and
House of Representatives Of the Common
wealth of Pennsylvania, IN General Assem-
bly, met, that the following amendment is
proposed to the Constitution of the Com
monwealth of Pennsy lvania. in accordance
with the Eighteenth Article thereof.
AMENDMENT.
There shall be an additional article to
said Constitution to be designated as Article
XIX, as follows:
ARTICLE XIX.
The manufacture, sale or keeping for sale
ofintoxicating liquor 10 be used as bever-
aee is hereby prohibited. and any violation
Of this prohibition shall be misdemeanor
publishable as shall be provided by law.
The manufacture, sale or keeping for sale
of intoxicating liquor for other purposes
tlln as beverage may be allowed in such
.nanner only as NAV be prescribed by law
The General Assembly shall, at the first
session succeeding the adoption of this ar
title of the Constitution, enact laws with
adequate penalties for ITS enforcement.
at is no longer in any measure doubtful
that the present Legislature will again pass
the foregoing proposed Prohibition amend
ment by large majority in both branches,
aud that it will be submitted 10 the people
for their ratification or rejection at special
election 10 be held early in the summer"
Confronted by ''vitar' question at last
that has to BE- considered, the Times, like
the s,great dailies' which boast so loudly of
.1eading public opinion" by keeping always
behind, ,hrashes over the old chaff in at
tempting to point out the manifold ohjec-
tions and difficulties that environ an ex-
animation of the subject, which prohibition
workers have long since disposed of, and
leaning always to the liquor side, something
that the public have come to look for as a
matter of course, when one of these great
dailies" lakes up the liquor question. They
are, every one of them on The side of whis
kew. The article concludes
1.-THE Times thus presents suggestively to
the people OF Pennsylvania the vital features
of the Prohibition issue with the sole view
Of inspiring general interest and dispassion-
ate individual judgment before the iniam-
matory stage Of the contest shall be reached
Us columns will be freely opened TO the
fullest discussion Of the issue from every
faith, requiring only that arguments shall
be dignifed and pertinent. 1t Is a great
issue, and the time has come when it must
be frankly met"
This is all that the Prohibitionists have
ever asked. If the Times opens its columns
10 the discussion its readers stand good
chance of knowing more about the "great
issue" than they ever had the opportunity
Of gaining from the same source before.
If the Prohibitionists can carry the
amendment in Pennsylvania it will be the
hardest blow ever the liquor power received
The whole combined army Of The well or
ganized liquor party will be brought NJ
against the amendment, and not less than a
million dollars will lie spen; 10 defeat it
Asa matter of course the great dailies'
which scent spoil always will be against the
amendment, and every other paper that can
be bought, bribed and hired will be either
arranged on the liquor side or fixed" to
remain neutral. The temperance people
have no easy job before them, but they are
marshaling every phase of temperance
workers in line to meet the reel,ng hosts oil
his satanic majesty, King Alcohol. The
battle in Pennsylvania will be the greatest
yet fought, and whether won or lost by the
temperance PEOPLE, their lines will be re-
formed the day after the election and the
campaign continued against this ''Sreat
issue" with unyielding and unrelaxed