The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-09-23
nonorNa rHn IssuE.

OOx0xM0 12G x00O6s
In New Hampshire. as in Maine. YER
mont and some other New England
States, there seems but one vell-defned
issue, and that is the liquor question.
That State, like the others, has q pro-
hibition law, and In that State, an in
the others, 1t ID not enforced. and the
absorbing question is as to whether the
present pretence of prohibition shall re-
main or whether there shall be some
kind of local option.
without going into the question Of the
right or wrong of the issue, or wheth "
either ie altogether right or altogether
wrong, 1t is interesting to note the post
lions of the two parties. In their late
State Convention the Republicans touch
the question by Recommendation that
''at the next session OF the Legislature.
In January. 1903. all questions relating to
liquor legislation DO re-examined, and
that such laws be enacted as will more
effectively promote temperance"
That Is apout as weak as they could
we'll put Il. They take no positive post
ton On what all admit is a very i'm
portant question. They do not make it
part Of their platform. but only recon
mend" the subject be ''re-examined" and
such laws be enacted las will more ef-
rectualy promote temperance" And
their candidate for Governor. MI. Bach
der, not wishing to go back on the
pi atform of the convention which nomi-
mated him, tells the people that 1t Is not
Governor should attempt to formulate
policy. but that II ne is elected his acti IN
will be governed by the desires OF the
people, etc.
date give US a pitiful exhibition OF po-
Iitical dodgery and cowardice? We sup.
pose all good psople in New Hampshire.
OF all parties ami sects. are in favor Of
promoting temperance. and the resolution
of ths convention without force or eff
feet. It leaves the question for some
body to deal with In the future, and the
candidate 70: Governor leaves 1t for
somebody else to deal with, II they care
to do so. And the action and language Of
both convention and candidate are In
striking contrast with the position taken
by the Democratic State Convention
which adopted this plank in its plat
form:
We demand the enactment of a statute
In addition to the present prohibitory law
,t-t- hal nth NittAI
by majority vote to license and control
the sale OF all intoxicating liquors.
As before stated. we are not sufficiently
well posted on the conditions existing IN
New Hampshire to say whether the DEM
ocratic position Ii best for the State
and the people, but IL one may judge
from the almost universal testimony Of
people Of all parties in that State their
present prohfbdtory laws are little else
than hypocritical pretence. openly and
systematically violated everywhere. That
being the case, IL would be much more
honest and much better for the people.
to try local option and see whether it Is
any Improvement.
But leaving that out Of the argument
no one can deny that the Democratio
position is unequivocal and honest. 1t
demands that a certain course be pur-
sued, and whether that course Is or Is not
the best thing to do the party il COM
| mitted to it and will stand for it. And
Mr.. Hollis, their nominee for Governor.
Is equally candid and outspoken, and
stands square on the platform adopted
by the convention.
Democratic tickets are not at all in ths
habit of getting elected in New Hamp-
shire. In fact. the habit is all the other
way. but the people ought this time to
reward honesty and holiness and elect
Hollis. That would be the right thing to
do. but whether they do or not the Dem
ocrats certainly have the advantage of