The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-08-01
TESTING Ny OF HISTORY.

TESTING Ny OF HISTORY.
Four states have tried prohibition
One of these was Maine. which still
has it; which still has drunkenness and
crime and state scandals and lmpoVer-
ished revenues and corrupted Gflclals.
Another one is Kansas, and every man
knows the Internal, interminable row
which she suffers under on account OF
the law. Another state is Iowa, which
dropped it after experiences like those
of Maine and Kansas. Still another
state which tried prohibition is Massa-
chuSetts. 4 little history of prohibl-
ton and it's results in Massachusetts
will appeal to the reader IN its similar
ity to the trials of Kan SIS:
The maine law" was first passed in
1851 in the state which bears its name,
and which was the daughter of Massa-
chusetts; but it was adopted the next
year by the mother commonwealth,
and for some time was generally ac-
cepted as the settled policy towards
the liquor traffice. Dissatisfaction with
the denial Of home rule was manifested
before the civil war, but the issues of
that great contest OverShadOwed all
local questions. Soon after the return
Of peace, however, an agitation for the
repeal of the prohibitory law was
started, which speedily became fOrmid-
able. John A. Andrews, the famous
"war governor" was employed as
counsel by the protestants, and in jan
uary, 1867, he appeared before the
legislature as the representative of
about 10000 petitioners for license
law, and delivered an argument
against the principle of prohibition
which produced a profound effect upon
the public mnd.
The Democratic party took up the
championship of a license law, but il
was then so weak in Massachusetts
that the idea of a Democrat ever being
elected governor seemed too absurd
to consider. The Republicans were
divided in opinion, many Of the more
intelligent, especially in the cities, re-
cognizing and conceding the force of
the argument for home rule in this
matter, but the great majority, who
lived in small towns, where the law
was easily enforced, insisting that il
could and should be enforced every
where. Both branches of the legisla-
ture were controlled by the representa-
tives of the small towns. and they at
tempted to carry out their ideas by
strengthening the law and providing
n force of Estate cOnStabulary" TO exc
cute il in cities where the local author
| tiles were unwilling or unable to do so
| 4 crisis came in 1874. The year be
| elected governor, and upon the dealt
| Of Charles Sumner, a few months later
| he was promoted 10 the United States
| senate. He turned over the executive
| chair TO Thomas Talbot. the lieutenan
/ governor, at the beginning Of May, jus
as the legislature was perfecting IL:
most important work. The shrewdel
Republicans had already taken warn
/ ing Of the approaching storm and wer,
ready 10 take shelter. \ bill was &C
| cordinCly framed. after long COMMITTEES
hearings and careful consideration
which substituted license for prohibi
! ton. and il passed both branches o
the legislature When Mr.. Talbot haf
been put upon the ticket as the candi
/ date for lieutenant governor the pre-
| yiouS fall. he was known 10 be strOu,
believer in prohibition. but nobody Al
/ tached any special importance TO hi
attitude His unexpected promotion
Ia the higher Office. however. enables
/ him 10 decide whether the pole,
should be abandoned. aud be decide
the question in the negative. return
Ing the license bill with 4 veto whicl
proved efectuaL Among other thing
he said:
TO a law committing the common
vezlt hof Massachusetts 20 a pubic &C
/ Acknowledgement that the sale CT inio1ica'
irG liquors as a beverage Is necessary AZ
desirable, I cznno: on M constance civ
assent u seems 20 me iE@t The OH
safe and sound position foE 2 Christ.s
/ community 10 take II regard 10 this mai
te- : thai OF absolute and unqualified os
position 20 the traffic
When the fall campaign OF 1874 open
ed. the Republican managers wer
greatly embarrassed An unoroEe
line OF preeedents entitled MI Iaioo
10 another term. but another teri
!. meant another year Of prohibition al
the rising tide OF opposition 10th part
because Of its adherence 10 tins pEiL
ciple. The managers finally eoneiue
ed b try 70 dodge" the issue ID
country delegates sent 20 the conSsi
ton a majority favorable to Talbot
denomination. and the city deieSAts