Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-01-28
PROHIBITION A LIVE WIRE.

In a dispatch from Dallas, Texas,
Senator Bailey is quoted as appealing
to the Texas legislature to obey the de-
mand of the party platform in that state
and submit to vote of the people a
liquor prohibition amendment to the
constitution of that state While Mr..
Bailey says that while he will vote
against the amendment If it is submit
ted, he predicts harm to the party if
the demand of the people is not needed.
Speaking of this incident the Wash
ington Star says:
Mr.. Bailey's advice is good on both
points. Party promises should be re-
deemed in letter and spirit Where they
are repudiated or trihed with after
election, not only is the party injured,
but public confidence in party govern
ment is shaken. Some persons are un-
able to account for the widespread
distrust of politicians. Much of it
proceeds from the means often en-
ployed afterward to disappoint the vic
tors. The man who described plat
forms as things to get in on" perpe-
trated witty cynicism of far too fire.
quent application.
1t is true, too, that where an issue
is trihed with in this way its power is
increased. Its friends employ the cir
cumstance in its favor. They demand
square deal for it, and those who
have been lukewarm, either in Sup
port or opposition, become sympathetic
and even actively friendly. Sharp prac-
tice, as "a rule, defeats itself The cleo
torate leans to- the right thing in the
long run.
This is especially the case with such an
issue as prohibition. That has moral
side which enlists in its favor both men
and women. 1t is not an issue, as some
are, largely for the hustings, or the
tavern, or the club. It enters voters
home, and occupies attention at the fire.
side in the family circle. He finds his
wife and his older daughters discussing
it, and anxious to discuss it with him.
He could not if he would escape it,
and when the politicians, after victory
achieved partly with, its aid, begin to
juggle with it, the women of his house
hold, if he is not, are for war. The issue
cannot be side-tracked in that way or
any other way. Where vote has been
promised, an opportunity to vote must
: be provided. Otherwise, there will be
a continuation of agitation. ';<<
=. Just now, particularly in the south,
prohibition is live issue. In other
states it has taken such strong hold
8 on attention little else is thought about.
Both parties, where there are two, are
enlisted in what resembles a crusade.
Such scenes as have been witnessed in
Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ala
hama and North Carolina are seldom
witnessed in our public affairs. Vets
and drys have contended with all their
Z might, and the drys have been win
I: ming. ~. ~. "
IS The vets, though. badly worsted,
have not abandoned hope They are
still in the ring, and active under the
belief that the tide will turn. They
do not accept their defeat as final. Pro-
hibition, they hold, cannot be success
fully applied anywhere, and when fail
ure appears, the states which have
adopted the law will repeal it. But
however this may be, voters who are
demanding an opportunity to express
themselves at the polls on the subject
should not, cannot justly, be denied.