The Washington herald., 1908-02-20

Bishop SdtteTiee, in an interview print
ed on Sunday, January 19, speaks as fol-
lows:
Il believe in local option. because I be-
lieve that the people have as much right
20 quarantine the liquor traffic as they
have 70 quarantine the smallpox, II they
believe il Is an evil. To my mind. one Of
the greatest dangers Of a prohibition law
is the fact that the difficulty Of its en-
foreement would tend TO weaken the re-
spect for law To put a dead letter upon
the statute books would inevitably make
people think less Of law That respect for
law is one OF the finest traits OF the
American people. The respect for law is
Inevitable, because the people make their
own laws"
We heartily indOrse these views. and
therefore we condemn any movement
which attempts 10 impose upon people OF
this District views Of those who do not
live here or pay taxes here, and who
would resent any attempt on the part OF
the people Of this District 10 NEEDLE in
their home affairs We hold that the
Commissioners Of the District or Column
bia are the proper authorities for address
ing Congress as 10 the needs OF this Dis
trict. The Commissioners have an Op-
pOrtunity 10 ascertain the wishes OF the
people. and they are the proper spokes-
men Of the people. II the people do not
demand any change In existing law, and
If the Commissioners do not represent 20
Congress that any change Of law is nee
essary or desirable. we deny the right Of
nonresidents 20 impose upon us what
they think We should have, whether We
want IL or not.
Inasmuch as no one advocates the
granting Of the franchise 20 the people OF
frf 40 ~ IL Il
that the liquor question shall be left 10 a
vote of the inhabitants The reasons for
denying the suffrage 10 the people Of this
District are well known. and we agree
that they are sufficient. We believe that
a great majority Of the people Of this
District are opposed TO prohibition. and
would vote against any change Of the
existing liquor laws, but we recognize the
obstacles in the way Of granting them an
opportunity 70 vote.
3 The right OF local option exists in
fun vigor IN this District Under the
laws as they now exist. 40 saloon can be
established or maintained in any locality
in which majority. OF the property own
ers and residents are opposed 10 IT, The
consent Of a majority Of the property
owners is required before saloon license
can be granted. Your honorable body Is
aware OF the fact that some communities
IN this city have refused 20 permit sa-
looms 10 be estab blished in their midst
The other communities. all OF them, have
the right 10 take the same action. There
Is no denial OF the right OF local option.
but on The other hand. local option is in
fun effect There IS no necessity. there
fore. for new laws on the pretext that
they viii grant local option 10 the people
here Under the pCetense OF granting
local option. il may easily happen that
the. people actually viii be deprived Of
local option. and be forced 20 accept what
other people may choose 70 give them.
l. There should be TO attempt 10 en-
force prohibition in the Capital OF the
United States Washington IS one OF the
worlds ceuteTs. in which sojOUrners from
all other parts Of the world are received
and welcomed. These sOjoUrners bring
with them customs Of their respective
countries. and they have the right 10 Oh
serve any Of these customs which do not
infringe upon the rights Of others While
no prohibition law could affect the house
holds OF the representatives, OF foreign
countries. we believe u would be impos-
sible and unwise 10 attempt 10 enforce
prohibition everywhere in Washington eX-
cepting the embassies and legations. We
firmly believe with Bishop SarJerlee and
in a failure. and thus tend 70 weaken
the respect for law II il is impossible
20 enforce prohibition in American cities
which are homogeneous. and which may
have favored such 4 law. how much more
difficult would il be TO enforce II In a
I cosmopolitan city whose inhabitants were
denied the right 10 express themselves on
the subject?
8 A change in existing law would
tend 20 disturb and injUre the business
interests OF Washington. without benefit
20 any one. A prohibition Law would
change the character Of liquor shipments
TO this city, making an unlawful traffic
and promoting crime. Instead OF being
carried on under the eye Of the law, as
/ is now the case, the liquor business would
| be an outlaw, and ike all outlaws, IL
would be danger TO society. The rea-
sonable and moderate use Of liquor by
/ the mass OF the people would be inter
rupted. and excesses would be the rule.
( with consequent Increase Of drunkenness
and crime This Is no mere prediction,
but is the experience OF every large city
that has tried prohibition. The business
/ people of Washington do not wish % see
/ an increase OF crime here. with increased
taxa ton in its train. In behalf Of these
I interests, the Washington Mercantile As
SoCiatiOn respectfully prdyS that your
[ honorable body Viii report 10 Congress
that the existing laws for the regulation
Of the liquor traffic are satisfactory 10
the people Of this District and should
not De changed in any particular. The
same considerations which induced your
honorable body TO report adversely 10 a
proposed change in the liquor laws last
year now Apply with even greater force.
RpSpeCtfuIlV submitted.
THE WASHINGTON MERCANTILE
ASSOCIATION
II these views meet your own we ask
YOU 10 use them. talk them. circulate
them. and call them TO the attention Of
your friends in and out Of Congress. Let
/ Congress know that there is ar over
whelming sentiment against prohibition
/ In this District, In that way we may be
able to prevent the enactment Of a law
that would deprive us Of control Of our
/ own affairs.
If you have any suggestions 70 make
/ that viii aid Us in this campaign, send
them 10 US. Drop US A line assuring US
| that YOU are in accord with rs Every
good word helps.
Yours respectfully.
THE WASHINGTON MERCANTILE
ASSOCIATION. National Hotel.
Washington, d. g
/ MANY MEN SHOVEL SNOW.