The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-06-05
VOL. XIV.

1t, unless, as intimated by the Localizer
the saloon interests corrupt the elect.
crate and get them to vote for prohibi-
ton. II the Localizer will only keep
its eye on that S15 900 90 LIQUOR cam.
paign fund, and see that it is not used
IN favor of prohibition by the saloon
men, | believe we can trust the people
to safely vote on whether they want
prohibition or not, and | believe that
the Localizer will do its duty and watch
the campaign fund.
But, says the Local Optionizer, if by
chance prohibition should carry, 1.-The
enforcement Of such law would be a
farce" Perhaps you may have heard
this argument used before 1t is the
one used by the saloonman and brewer
himself. Why, he says, is it wrong to
interfere with me, you know you can't
make me obey the law.
Now criminal Jurisprudence has had
to do with that spirit in law breaking
ever since society evolved law to pro-
tect itself. The confirmed criminal
did not mind reasonable punishment
for his crimes. 1t was part of the
profit and loss OF the business. But
lately society has devised a means to
meet this condition. Our state has
law passed in 1903 whereby one who
has beer twice before convicted of
felony Is deemed an habitual criminal
and sentenced for life. That is what
the democrats believe should be done in
this liquor business. The liquor men
have demonstrated by their habitual
disregard of all liquor regulation
laws that nothing short Of a life SEN
tence to forever abstain from the man
ufacture and sale will have any effect
upon them.
But says the Localizer, the demo.
Gratis only use the word 'spirituous"
ia defining the beverages to be PROFIT
bited. They do not include "vinous or
malt" liquors. A technical attempt to
discredit the language OF the plank
was mmediatcly sprung by opponents
of prohibition generally This plank
was introduced and fought for by the
genuine prohibition sentiment OF the
delegates. Only few people know,
without special investigation, the
scientific difference between esprit
uous' and other liquors, and the lega'
meaning of the term has been sub
lect Of controversy between the most
eminent LAWYERS and courts OF our
country. Asto whether wine and beer
are spirituous liquors is a question in
courts and among lawyers-sOme hold
it is. and some that tits not.
n the liquor interests were to turn
their paid critics loose upon the langu-
age Of the republican plank in favor OF
local option. and attempt to make the
language of the resolution tho test OF
the good faith of those who voted for it,
it is equally vulnerable.
For instance, the republicans declare
for a "reas0nable" local option. That
word 'reasonable" does not seem nee
essarv unless it is inter ded as high
sign" to the liquor interests not to get
scared. Reasonable means not radical
It will be made ''reasonably" hard TO
carry local option by requiring two
thirds or two fifths vote. 1t Will require
Unreasonable number Of signers TO the
netition to have local option submitted
70 a vote. say a majority at least OF all
voters as was required by the local OPP
tion measure passed by the republican
LEGISLATURE and voted by governor NC
! Bride.
Then the word also may mean that
the local option act will provide that
the question may be submitted a'Ier d
town has gone 'dry" at the petition OF
4 small NUM- Q of petitioners.
Also that it may be re-submitted al
"reasonably" close intervals upon petl'
ton. say not earlier thao six nonths'
as in some states, or at the longest, aV
the next general election.
But the Localizer says that the larse
cities will kill prohibition, but are III
favor of local option
In the Spokane Convention 1he
strongest sentiment and fight for prom
bition cane from the cities. ilerce
county voted her delegation solidly fo'
the nlank. King voted large MAJOR
ity of her delegation in its favor
Wolla Walla county voted for it solid
". Thurston voted for it sollaly'
Yakima voted for it 2jto 3. me only
one against the plank was SPOKANE