The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-23
WHY DO THEY WANT rrs

state want state prohibition law?
Is it because they want the satisfac-
ton of succeeding in what they have
undertaken TO do, or because they
think such a law would put a stop to
evils of the liquor traffic? If the lat
ter then they ought to be able to show
that state prohibition would accom-
plish what they claim for it. But can
they show this? If so, why don't they
do it? Why do they eonfine themselves
to pointing out the evils? These evils
are admitted by everybody. The ques-
ton is as to the best method of getting
rid of them.
If state prohibition is such a good
thing the Prohibitionists ought to be
able to bring convincing testimony in
its favor from the states which have
tried it, and are still trying it. Strange
as it may seem it appears no such
testimony is offered. Time and time
again. in these columns, we have pub
lished statements regarding the liquor
traffic in Kansas and other prohibition
states, showing that while the saloon
may nave DCCn OhNlcAA GU tiAC NOAASuuiP-
ton of intoxicants was as great as
ever, and that in addition to the liquor
habit the habit of using various kinds
of drugs, such as morphine and opium
had increased to an alarming extent.
These statements are not denied. They
cannot be successfully.
We have not heretofore had much TO
say about prohibition in Vermont,
where it has been experimental with
for half a century, but. owing, to the
movement there in favor Of high license
and local option. that state now COM
mands the attention of all who are in
terested in the prohibition question.
One of the candidates for the Republi-
can nomination for Governor in that
state is Percival w. Clement, man
of high personal character, of promi-
nence in business and Of sufficient in
ton beyond the limits of his state. 1t
is probable that he will be nominated
and elected Governor.
In his address to voters, he says he
wants 1t distinctly understood that
he is against prohibition, and for the
adoption of a method of dealing with
the liquor traffic that will limit the
evils Of that traffic. He is for high
license and local option. In a recent
letter to the voters of one of the towns
which adjoins that in which he re-
sides, speaking of the liquor traffic,
he said There is more Intoxicating
liquor, adulterated and highly injuri-
Gus, sold in Vermont than in any other
state in the Union, according to popu-
lation. 1t is also true that there is
more morphine. choral, opium and kim
dred drugs consumed in our state, per
capita, than in any other in the I'm
ion."
Here is testimony that Is ample to
sustain the position we have always
taken, namely, that prohibition does
not prohibit and that state prohibi-
ton law would work injury rather than
good to the state.
And what do the Prohibitionists offer
to offset testimony like the foregoing?
| Absolutely nothing. They have moth
ing to offer. If therefore they will
examine their motive closely they will
find they are mistaken in thinking
their purpose is to advance the cause
OF temperance. Rather it is to
win the fight in which they have
been engaged so long, regardless of
consequences.
The local option method of fighting
the liquor traffic has our approval for
two reasons One is that it has been
Endorsed by the Democratic party of
the state, and the other is that it is
educational in character-it educates
in the direction of temperance. Be-
cause of local option there is far less
drinking in Georgia now than there
was ten years ago, and if it is adj
here6 to there will be less ten years
hence than there is now. On the other
hand, If 1t is abandoned for prohibit
ton there will be a backward move
ment in the matter of temperance.
1t is the policy of the prohibition
orators to draw graphic pictures Of
the evils of the liquor traffic, but there
is no issue as to those evils. The issue
is as to the best method for getting
rid of them. AS far as testi-
mony shows prohibition has ac-
complished practically nothing. Local
option has accomplished a great deal.