New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-28
pE>EsyLTAyLL on PROHIBITION.


Three weeks from to- day the special election
in Pennsylvania upon the Prohibition Amend
ment takes place. It's defeat is already con-
ceded even by those who are most chagrined
nj this outcome and the only question now is
apparently, as it was in Massachusetts, as to
the size OF the adverse majority. In the cleo
ton in 1877 upon local option sixty coun-
ties voted, forty Of which were against license
making an almost solid Prohibition ground OF
the western twO-thirds Of the State with the
exception Of half dozen counties. the most
important Of which was Allegheny. Inc
strength of the ti-Prohbition movement was
in the eastern portion Of tho State. hut this
did not include Philadelphia, which did not
vote. Potter County had previously rejected
license. and Lackawanna County had not been
organized. Without the help of Philadelphia
local option was beaten by 1900 majority. On
separate vote Philadelphia gave 1888 ma
jority for license in I total vote Of 1919. Tho
total vote on President last fall was 2Oo,ili.
The quor.d dealers have recently made a can
vass which they claim shows majority in than
city against the amendment of nearly $4,000
The source of the canvass does not inspire con
fdence as to its accuracy, but the city will I'M
doubtedly 60 heavily that way, and the ma
jority in the State promises to be large.
This being the case, some Of the advocates
of the amendment are already seeking to find
scapcgoat The third party ProhbtioniSts
are extremely bitter against the Republic
making the most absurd charges even against
those who are honestly working with them to
carry the amendment. Senator Quay and GOV
ernor Beaver, who have announced that they
favor the amendment and will vote for It, are
charged with "insinCcrityr and " dupicity,"
for no reason, apparently, but that the amend
ment is likely to fail, in spite Of the fact that
they support it. They do 80, avOwcdly, simply
as individual Republicans, and without any
right TO commit the party. Citizens who wish
TO see the amendment adopted would naturally
avow themselves in its favor, and vote for 1t
on Election Day. This is what McSSrS. Quay
and Beaver have done, but the third-party Pro
hibitionSts are only angcr"d thereby. 1t is not
easy TO SEQ how these distinguished gentlemen
can convince their critics that they are really on
the side Of tho amendment. unless it might DO
done, according to hird-party logic, by an
nouncing themselves against it, and voting no
on Election Day. 1t has even been charged
that ex-Attorney Gereal Palmer was placed
in charge of the campaign in order that he
might bctray the cause into the hands OF Sen
ator Quay, who is his personal friend. This
mdcrous accusation illustrates the present
mental condition of the thirdparty mon. II
also sheds light upon their real motives. They
arc still smarting under their defeat at tho
State Convention, when they attempted to
capture the entire machinery Of the canvass and
;s1 Ioai
have deprived II, prob ably Of ninc-tcnths Of the
votes it will receive next month hut the third
party mon have repeatedly demonstrated that
their chief anxiety IS 81 preserve their organln-
ton.
The canvass has been regarded with great
interest upon both sides The liquor men arc
understood to havo raised largo sums OF money
to be used against tho amendment. On tho
other hand, it's friends have been thoroughly IN
earnest. In many aspects the campaign dupll-
Gates that Of Massachusetts,. While the amend
mont is bitterly fought by the liquor interest, II
will really owe its defeat, n il did IN the
former State, to the opposition Of large pro.
portion OF the intelligent and law-ahiding
classes. including many distinguished clergy
men Of various denominations The opposition
in Massachusetts, derived much Of its strength
from the conviction of many thoughtful men
that local option and high license had brought
in the past. and would bring in the future, bet
ter practical results than could be hoped for
from Prohibition. Pennsylvania affords
striking example of the efficacy Of high license
and there is marked feeling on that ground
alone against a change. 1t does not follow
however, that the vote will be large. 4 light
vote is common at elections upon the liquor
question. One reason Of this is that many
temperance men who cannot accept Prohibition
prefer 10 abstain from voting.