The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-23
WHAT PROHIBITION AMOUNTS TO.

Our sympathies are strongly with those
who would put an embargo upon tipping,
which we regard as the greatest curse
that man suffers from. But we have
never believed 1t possible to prevent
drinking by legislation. II 1t were posi-
bic TO destroy all alcoholic drinks and
prevent any of IL ever being produced
again we would heartily approve Of a
move for accomplishing that end. This
IS not possible, however, and all that wise
men can do is to set their faces against
drink, and do all in their power to re-
gulate the sale OF liquor with view TO
diminishing its evils as far as human
experience proves this to be possible.
Prohibiting legislation never has ac
complished anything yet, and. in the
nature Of things 1t never will. The most
signal failure that such legislation has
ever yet met with has overtaken II in
Iowa
A few years back the Prohibition party
had full sway in that State. and shaped
its laws to suit itself. What has been
the result? That most intelligent and ex-
celient special correspondent Of the Bal
timore Sun, Mr.. F. A. Richardson. writes
his paper an elaborate review Of the
political situation there, from which we
make the following extract:
prohibition has been In nominal opera
ton in Iowa for a number OF years. Yet
with an observation and inquiry which
includes every State Of the Union I do
not recall any community where drink
ing Is made easier and indulgence in
stimulnnts more common. In some OF the
cities OF Iowa there is no pretense OF an
attempt to enforce the law, and saloons
and bars are as free to all callers as In
Baltimore or Washington. In other cities,
like this, for instance, which Is called
a Sunday school" town, the attention
OF the stranger Is at once directed 10 the
unusual abundance Of drug stores, which
are TO be found In almost every block
II is said that half of these establish
ments at least carry on no trade In drugs
and their business operations consist al
most exclusively In the dispensation by
retail OF spurious and malt liquors Of
all descriptions, which is done under the
very thin cloak Of ready-made prescrip-
lions. In majority OF instances It Is
not deemed necessary TO even 60 through
with this formality At the theatres OF
Des Moines just as many persons slip
out between the acts to see man as
they DO In Baltimore, and when they re-
turn their lady friends are quite curious
10 know why they are eating cloves just
as they are in Baltimore. On the railway
trains which run through the State Of
Iowa the dining~car menus contain this
stipulation: Ne wines or liquors sold
in Iowa But In every coach on the train
there will be one or more gentleman with
his bottle and his cork-screw, all Of hos
pitable disposition and profusc in invita-
lions to smile. In a six hours railroad
ride the other day I was compelled to
decline this oppressive courtesy so often
that my angelic stock Of patience was
completely exhausted. So II is that pro-
hibition in Iowa has become a farce and
a by-word."
This has been the experience of every
community that has tried prohibition, and
1t will be the experience of every one in
the future. Prohibiting legislation will
not meet the case. II mans propensity
to indulge in stimulating drink is ever
brought under control 1t will be by
system OF education and training. He
can never be ieSislated into a tetotaler.