New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-04
poourpJrtoy IN EASTERN STATES.

PROHIBITIONS ~ EhoIHhN SIAIES.
Within = fortnight the first Of the three
elections in Eastern states turning upon the
opostion # Prohibition ill have been held.
Now-IIamp,hir, votes March -, Massachusetts,
April %. and Pennsylvania June l5-all upon
amendments to the Constitution. All of these
contests nresont points Of interest, bearing
unon tbo nroblem Of regulation Of the liquor
traffic.
The situation in Ncw-IIampshire Is peculiar.
4 Prohi5itory law has been IN force since
1865. the period Of the first Aialne law eX-
element. 1t does not forbid the manufacture.
but only the sale, Of liquors. The result is
that large quantities Of liquor are manufact-
nrcd and get sold somehow. The Prohibitions
lists claim that where the law is enforced its
effects are good. but admit that in many of the
small towns aS we'll as the cities 1t is not en-
forced. and liQuor-sclling and drunkenness are
on the increase They urge the amendment TO
the Constitution on the ground that it will
give them better basis for the warfare upon
ire 6ouor traffic The amendment forbids
"tho manufacture or sale. or keeping for sale,
Of alcoholic or intoxicating hquor as a bever-
ACC - hit eycepts cider. The cider question,
by the way has bearing of considerable inn
poTance. The opposition OF farmers TO tho
amendment pending in Massachusetts, because
4 would interfere with their making cider, is
counted as an element in the situation. In
PENNSYLVANIA the question is regarded as so
so,ious that cx-Chicf-Justicc Agnew, who is
zealous for Prohibition has been induced to
announce it rs his opinion that the farmer
could still mako cider if the amendment should
be adopted. selling it before it has fcrmcnted
and become Intoxicating. There seems to DO
no doubt that majority of the voters Of New
Hampshire are in favor Of Prohibition, but tho
adoption Of the amendment requires two
thirds vote and it is by no means certain that
that will be forthcoming.
Massachusetts, has system under which the
towns vote once year whether licenses shall
be granted that year or not. When granted,
the fees are high under the law This system
has worked well enough to give satisfaction
10 large numbers # sincere temperance peO-
pie who douht the wisdom Of attempting
.riyerSl Prohibition. Those communities in
which Prohibition can be enforced can have
il. and those which prefer High License can
have that. II dos not seem to he eX-
pccted that the amendment will be adopted.
Few Republicans Of large reputation have an
nourced themselves in It's favor. The speak
crS for Prohibition are mostly clcrgymen. but
many other clugymcn, equally able and equal
" sincere will oppose it. The Democratic
rarty is against the amendment. Of course. as
il j, by iustiuc; against every attempt to re
strict The nanr. large share OF the Repub-
heIIpVp
the State i, doing better under is present
elastic system than it would under Prohibition.
The canvass in Pennsylvania is the most
interesting # all these. and promises 10 be
exciting. Tho recent convention Of the friends
If the amendment at Harrisburg was an i'm
posing gathering, representing an mque@-
toned popular strength, of1iccrcd by expert
cnccd political leaders and exhibiting degree
Of enthusiasm and practical energy that in
spired high hopes of success. The first step
was to deiear the manOeuVrcs Of the bitter and
narrow minded faction known as the Third
Party ProhibiioniSts to got possession Of the
movement and run it for their selfish purposes.
This clique Of politicians representing vote
Of 10000 out Of 097, 600 at the last election,
did secure a temporary advantage in the early
organization, but were completely routed by
combination Of the representative, Of the Con
Stituional Amendment Association. which Is
said 10 number $4,000 members, and Of the
Woman Christian Temperance Union. Judge
Harry White. cN-CcugIe -sman John Cessna.
and Henry w. Palmer. who was Attorney
Gcnclal under Governor Hoy. are among the
veteran Republicans who viii lead the Pro
hibition forces Mr.. Palmer. who is Il man of
high character and ability, with a thorough
practical knowledge Of politics. was placed in
charge Of the campaign. \ very large vote
will undoubtedly hc cast for the amendment.
The struggle Will be earnest and close. Pre-
drtons that the amendment will win Al"
heard more often than predictions Of failure.
Oar of the >iNty-four cpuutic, which vo,>d In
1873 ON the licorSo question, forty wcro
against license and twcnty-fom for it. The
rural contic, arc largely for Prohibition. Il
remains L, no seen whether they viii be ont
voted by the cites.