The Washington herald., 1908-07-11

The convention probably VIII nominate
for President either Seaborn Wright, OF
Georgia. or Dr. William B. Palmore. OF
Missouri. 1t viii be the first excursion Of
this party into the South for man 20
head its ticket Mr. Wright was the
leader OF the movement which brought
about prohibition in Georgia. and he has
been actively engaged in similar cam
paigns IN other Southern States. He is a
Democrat. Dr. Palmore is the editor OF
one OF the leading papers Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South. and has
been member Of the Prohibitionist party
for many years. II he should be nomi-
mated. he viii have the distinction Of be-
ing the first Confederate veteran named
for President, although Gen. Simon Boil
var Buckner. Of Kentucky. was nomi-
mated for Vice President by the Gold
Democrats in the bolt Of 1896
The possible Importance Of the Prohi-
bition party in this campaign will not lie
in the Presidential race as much as In
the Congressional elections. Eight years
ago there were 100000 people Of the
United States living in dry territory.
Now there are 100000 Americans who
live in places where there are no saloons
and where the sale OF liquor is Illegal.
The one thing that makes IL difficult 10
enforce the prohibitory laws in many sec
tions Is the fact that shipments OF
liquors from another State are protected
bv the Federal interstate commerce pro-
visions The chief aim Of the Prohibi-
tionists and anti-saloon people now is to
get Congress TO pass law resigning the
control over interstate shipments of in
- 70 he Ia
tions Of the States at the moment the
shipment enters the boundaries of the
state Of destination
Such legislation has been championed
by Senators Dolliver Carmack. and
Clay. by Representatives Hepburn and
Littlefeld, and by practically every
member OF Congress from the Southern
States Bills embOdying the ideas Of
these legislative champions have been in
troduced by the wholesale, but they
slumber peacefully in committee-room
pigeonholes. The Anti-Saloon League
claimed that the bill would have passed
last session II it had been possible 10 OBJ
tain a vote on H.
Now the plan Of the "drys'' is TO take
part in the Congressional elections with
a vengeance. Prohibition candidates will
be nominated in Close districts 10 throw
the election from the sitting member 20
an aspirant who Will pledge himself so
"be good" In other districts the dry
vote will be pumped as far as the
leaders are able TO control it, in favor
Of that candidate whose record is clear
est on the issue
The question: ''Wnl you vote for a
measure, such as the Hepburn-Dolliver
bill. 20 give the States control over liquor
shipments?" will be asked OF many Con-
gressional candidates in this campaign.
What it's effect will be remains to be seen.
but the "drys' are ready 10 claim that
they will control the next House Of Rep
resentatives, be 1t Republican or Demo
cratic.
The Prohibition party has been split
in twain more than once by factional
fights and there is danger Of another this
year. The party has stood always for
the principle OF prohibition Of the sale and
the manufacture Of all kinds OF intoxicat-
ing liquors. The Anti-Saloon League.
which has conducted the campaigns
which have resulted in such marvellous
spread Of dry" territory. also believes In
prohibition. but it is willing to work up
10 the desired thing gradually. The Anti
Saloon League believes first in regulation.
then IN local option. then in total pro-
hibition. 1t has worked this way from
It's foundation The straight Prohibition