The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-09-28
The State Election.

The State Election.
We have seen but one argument In
favor of electing Governor Atkinson's
opponent that is worth discussing. That
argument is 10 the effect that Mr..
Wright is in favor OF enforcing prohi-
bitIon in Georgia by means Of general
state law.
The answer 10 that argument takes
several shapes. all OF them conclusive.
In the first place. If the people want
a general law enforcing prohibition in
al the counties. they can secure it just
as easily under Governor Atkinson's adj
minislration as under that of his OPP
pouent The governor is prohibition
ist. ana while De believes, rs thousands
II ardent prohlbitiouists believe. that
local option has been more successful
and more satisfactory than any general
law could have been, nevertheless it is
hardly probable that he would stand in
the way of any change in the law war
rantcI by popular sentiment
In the second place. if the prohibition
lists desire to throw the issue into poll
ties they will not be deprived of that
privilege 10y the election Of Governor
Atkinson. They viii be just rs free to
act with Atkinson as governor as they
would lee IL his opponent were elected.
Il may be said that the election Of Mr..
Wright would make state prohibition IN
issue. But It would still De a political
issue-more than that. it would he IN
issue between two parties Now. the
question arises. and we put it TO every
genuine prohihitionist in Georgia, is il
not true that prohibition has everything
70 lose and nothing whatever TO gain
by being banded about rs an issue be-
tween two contending parties? Is it not
q fact that prohibition has never won a
substantial victory rs a political issue?
There is nothing ueWfanglcd or expert
mental about the proposition to enact
a general state law enforcing prohibition
I'm al the counties. The most recent
attempt is that Of the state OF Iowa.
The prohibitiouis,s IN that state insist
"a on q general law. and succeeded in
passing one. But tie system was such
4 dcplorable failure in all its moral as
poets that the earnest prohib.tionists-
those vino were not seeking office on the
issue-were glad TO substitute local OPP
ton, and this has proved TO he success
mi in Iowa rs ID is AMI has been ia
Georgia.
Why Tor the simple reason that it
commeuds itself TO every fair mind. il
recognizes the doctrine Of home rule 1t
takes the whole question ont Of party
politics and thus reduces opposition 10
tie minimum. 1t gives TO the is
sue the fun benefit OF moral suasion.
which IS au absolutely essential element
in tho progress of temperance ele-
ment that must necessarily be recos-
nized hy All who are I'm favor Of prohi-
bition for the sake Of the cause itself
and not Tor the purpose OF using il as q
stepping stone TO office.
II is 10 wonder that such leading men
Is Dr. Gambler. Or Lewis ana others
who have made themselves prominent
I'm the cause of temperance should depre-
eat. throwing the Issue into party poll
ties. II IS no wonder that ardent prohi-
bitionists all over the state are asking
themselves why a substitute should Doe
proposed for the present law, when local
option has made and is making such
notable progress.
The plan now is 10 endanger prohibit
ton in I05 counties in order 70 provide
compulsory law for the thirty-twO
counties that have not yet voted for
prohibition. and this is to be done in
the name Of temperance.
our opinion is that those who really
believe in prohibition win leave local
option to DO its work. and vote for At
kinsOn.