The Republican journal., 1907-02-07
The Real Meaning Of Resubmisslon.
BY C. E. OWEN.

of the legislature, as we'll as thousands
of citizens, who suppose that the prOpo-
sition to ''resubmit" the prOhibitory
amendment is plain proposition to
submit again the original question to
the people for approval or rejection;
but careful consideration of the facts
will show that such is not the case.
Young men are frequently heard to
say that they have never had an oppor
tmnity to vote on the prohibition policy
and would really like to vote upon it,
method of submitting again, since a
generation has grown up, the same old
proposition just as it was submitted
twenty-five years ago. They see no
possible harm in such action. 1tappeals
to them as perfectly fair and reason
able, and some are even threatening
vengeance upon The Powers That Be
for withholding from the people the
right OF voting upon the proposition.
1t has probably never occurred to
them that, under our present constltu-
ton, Art. 10, Sec. 2, quoted at the close
the only method provided for the people
to vote upon any article of the constitu-
ton or any amendment thereto is this:
First, o-thirds of both houses must
deem it necessary to make some
change in this fundamental law.
Second, they must pass 'resolu-
ton" -embodying that change.
Third, they must submit this pro
posed change to the people to be voted
upon at the next annual election.
To have the people vote on the pro
hibitory amendment, therefore, requires
that two-thirds of the house and senate
express, by vote, the positive convlc-
ton. not that the people should have
chance to vote, but, that the prohlbl-
tory policy. after a trial of more tina
fifty years has been found wanting an
should be aunulled and abandoned.
requires the passing OF resolution
proposing the abrogatlon OF the pro
hibitory policy and involves an order
for the people to give in their votes
upon this proposition at the next an
nual election.
Resubmlssion, therefore, involves
vastly more than simple referendum.
Thousands of our citizens who now ia
yor resubmisson, thinking OF 1t as d
simple referendum, would be positive
lv opposed to it if they clearly under
stood this point. Every distiller, and
the whole vast army OF saloonlstS IN
the land would be delighted beyond
measure to have tWo-thlrdS OF the law
making body of the pioneer prohibition
State propose that the pollcy vi PROM
bitiOn be annulled.
But are the friends Of the law willing
that their representatives who they
have sent to the legislature shall take
such action, on the plea of simply CIV
ing the people chance to vote? Every
representative who casts his vote Tor
resubmission, by that vote proposes the
overthrow of the prohlbltory policy.
Suppose two-thirds of our representa-
tiyes and senators should vote thus,
who can measure the disastrous lntiu-
ence of such action to the cause of tenn
perance, not only in Maine, but the
world over?
Forgetful of her honored position
among her sister States, and regardless
of the interests of Others who are
struggling with the same great prob
lem, would be the State OF Maine If her
legislature were to deal such blow to
the prohibitory policy. 1t would be es-
pecially disastrous and cruel just at the
time when so many other States have
Statewide prohibition almost within
their grasp. The new State of Oklaho-
ma is using Maine as her model IN Seek
ing constitutional prohibition. Tennes-
see, North Carolina, Georgia, Mlssls-
sippi and Texas, as well as Ohio, lndl-
ana. Iowa. Arkansas and our nelghOorS,
Vermont and New Hampshire, are rap
idlv coming into condition to adopt the
State prohibitory policy. For two
thirds of the legislature OF the pioneer
prohibition State to pass a resolution
to revoke this policy under the plea OF
giving the people chance to vote,
would be a stupendous blunder, the
evil effects of which would be felt
across the continent and around the
world. The organized liquor traffic
could ask for no deadlier weapon with
which to beat back the forces of rlghte
BUSINESS than such action by the Iegis
lature of Maine.
But. such action cannot be taken
without the help Of the dominant polt-
ical party-the party that has stood for
hibition as a cardinal principle for half
a century, and never stronger III its
declaration of faith in that principle
than in it's last convention platform in
which it said: 1--WE believe in Prohihi-
ton and demand the faithful and i'm
partial enforcement of the prohibitory
law, because the business interests of
the State and the material and moral
welfare of the people are thereby pro-
NOTED" That party stood against the
adoption of a resubmiSSion plank in the
same platform by vote OF % to in
convention of 1901 delegates. That
party welcomed to its ranks in the fol
lowing election in September all friends
of prohibition and all opponents of re-
submission and won by their votes. Is
it reasonable to expect that the Repnb-
lican members of the legislature and
the influential leaders of the Repubi-
can party, after taking this fair and
square position for a definite policy will
now turn upon themselves and against
their friends to propose the opposite
policy? Such course could not be per-
sued by any party without its justly
FORGETTING all claim to trustworthiness
and honor, and subjecting it to the trl-
pie charge of fickleness, cowardice and
treachery.
Chronic Constipation Cured.