New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-14
Congress- md TIE LTQUOR TBiFFIC.

CONGRESS- md THE LTQrOR TRfFFC
The National Temperance Society which OBJ
served lis twcn,y-ffth anniversary in this city
Yesterday. and which has been a chef actor
in bringing about the change Of sentiment re-
spcctinc the use of intoxicating liquors de-
,cribcd bv il, secretary. took action with refer
cnco 10 the recent decision of the supreme
Court. \ resolution was adopted urging Con
grcss TO prohibit the importation OF liquor mo
states which have declared the liquor ilaiic
unlawful. and a committee was appointed 10
prc,cnt the petition AZ Washington. bill
introduced 10y Mr.. Bou'cilc with this intent
is now pending in the House and ought 70 he
enacted at an early date We are interested
10 observe that the course which wc suggested
as the one likely TO Doe pursued hy temperance
organizations, 50 soon ~ the supreme Court
decision was made public, Ia, been promptly
adopted
Much was said and for tho most part tenn
poratcly. Al yesterdays meeting about TINS de-.
ci>ion. l. WIS compared with that in The prod
Scott case. and one of the speakers remarked
that II would have corresponding elect. ana
though not in itself righteous decision. would
hasten the downfall Of the rum power. i is
proper 10 say in passing that il the decision
represented tho conscientious convictions oi 4
majority 81 the court rs 10 tho intent OF the
Constitu,ion-and nobody imagncs that 1t did
not-thcn II was a righteous decision, even II
il should drcnch the land in rum. But Va
have never been able - see why any advocate
OF Prohibition should dread IFS practical cD'i-
sequences. /, will undoubtedly lead 20 such
f... l....t Cd al
ready, and by that mean, result in far moro
stringent enforcement OF prohihi'ory lcgi>la-
ton than has hitherto been possible IN any
state. Transportation complnic, will gen
orally obey National law newly enacted iol
a specific purpose and practically declared
binding in advance by the supreme Court, and
if they violate it it will be easily detected and
punishcd whereas, in the absence of such 4
law. liquor has been carried into Prohibition
states without much trouble or danger. and
there consumed under specially dcmorazlnc
conditions.
InaSmch as this view Of the case has beer
generally rejected by temperance advocates
though the prevailing sentiment AT Yesterday
meeting seems 70 incline in this direction, II
j. interesting 70 note the attitude of liquor
trade journal IN considering IN" question. No
current issue Of "The Wine and spirit Ga
zettc." which j. the official organ of the Whole
sale Liquor Dealers Association, expresses 4
doubt whether, the decision Of the supreme
Court will even temporarily increase the con
sumption of liquor in Prohibition states, and
distinctly forcSccS that its consequences vii
be injurious 10 the trade. :" II is very much Il
be. regretted" says that important publication
that this decision viii undoubtedly hasten
the passage 10y Congress of the bill now pend
ing, prohibiting the transportation OF intoM
eating liquor into Prohibition states contrary
TO their laws" That seems TO us logical de
duction Congress may delay action, but soon
er or later, and before the end of the prcScn
session we hope and believe, it will dcyoly'
upon the States full responsibility for The
maintenance of their own liquor laws.