The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1907-03-19
IT'S UP TO GOVERNOR
II All Depends on the Executive
Whether the Closing of Saloons
Will Be Permanent.


ST. Paul Dispatch: North Dakota
will probably present a more interest
ing development in political phenomena
with its lid pressed down tight, as has
been ordered by Governor Burke than
1t has afforded its neighboring obser-
want states during all these sixteen
years it has boosted lid. There has
been varied discussion as to whether
any prohibition states in general, and
North Dakota in particular, could af-
ford to put on tight lids. whether lids
were invented by statute constitutional
amendment, to be worn constantly or
intermittently.
North Dakota, it is very we'll known
has worn her lid with difference, like
Perdita's rue. Nominally prohibition
state, It has, as other prohibition states,
developed an anomalous sort of cara
vansary, sometimes denominabla under
the name of blind pig, and sometimes
under the title of prescription drug
store, and sometimes just simple sa-
loon. according to the power of its
community not to take offense. Every
one knew that prohibition did not pro-
hibit in North Dakota, and it has been
4iIA10AN lOA duyOut W p011Gb6 that
prohibition did prohibit or even
could, Whether conditions result
ing were worse or better un-
der this administered law than
they were in other un- lidded states
was different question. Open vice
certainly was not SO apparent, but a
large question appeared then,as to how
much the good of an uncompromlsing
statute was counterbalanced by the
evil of dulled conscience Sometime
this conscience would waken and att
tempt to secure the enforcement of the
law, but 1t found, as always, that it is
difficult to legislate righteousness into
the people at once, and it compromised
as prohibitory legislation always must
until a day nearer the millennium than
this. And equally. on the other side,
there were those who believed it would
be much better for the state, much
healthier and saner if the prohibition
law We're removed; but it never was,
not because those believing its remov-
al right We're In a minority, but be-
cause such is the force Of an advanced
moral stand, that men who do not be-
lieve in 1t, who believe it works evil
when introduced too early do not dare
to take a stand against an abstract
moral proposition. The law has hith-
erto remained on North Dakota statute
books as much because those who be-
lieved It wrong were afraid of oppos-
ing a moral standard, as because the
statute was really held by the majori-
tysto he desirable.
And now the moral issue Is squareiy
before the people, since the governor
will enforce the law. He 4E backed BIZ
q strong public sentiment; anyone who
recognised the strength Of similar
sentiment In Minnesota will realize
how strong that backing may be- Il
will befit Minnesota to watch this gen
nine prohibition experience so nea,
homeif II endures. long enough Z
permit being called an experience Ia
stead Of spasnl. While 1t lasts, thf
towns on the Minnesota border vii
prosper beyond their present Dakotar
prosperity And if the close lid lasts
long enough It will either force NORTH
Dakota to an open reconsideration 81
I its law, or else 1t viii demonstrate thai
q tight lid IL q permanent possibility
Either event would have its mora
value.