The independent-reporter., 1910-02-10
v. c. I. |. :.


The Prohibition Wave Is Rolling
High.
The revolt OF the civilized world
against excessive indulgence in al
coholic liquors is growing. 1t is not
exaggeration to say that no movement
In the world today Is of greater i'm
portance. In its intimate relation to
the moral, the political and the indus
trial life of nations 1t concerns the
individual and common welfare of all.
The spread of prohibitiye Legislation
through the United States is the most
remarkable political and social phe-
nomenon of the times. But the move
ment is not confined to this country.
In various forms 1t is progressing in
the countries of the old world. The
government Of Great Britain, facing
the necessity of reorganization of Its
poor laws and of radical extension of
its provisions for the care of its de-
pendent population, found that exces-
siye indulgence in alcoholic drinks
was responsible for the greater part
Of its poverty, and for almost a to-
tally of it's crime. And this exi-
gency, rather than the need of addi-
tional revenue. Is the justification for
increased taxation of public houses,
and of the liquor trade In general.
Sweden, years ago confronted with a
national evil of drunkenness which
threatened national strength and
wealth, restored to national reform by
the enactment of the Gothenburg
system of limiting the liquor trade.
France, awakening to the fact that
absinthe and kindred drinks were sap
ping national vitality, enacted and
enforced national prohibition. In Ger
many, where national achievement de-
pends on the intensive development Of
human life and capabilities. sociolo-
gists and statesmen are united In an
effort to check the waste of excessive
drinking. At the anti-alcoholic con-
gress, held in London July last, scien-
lists of all nations registered their
opinion that alcoholic drinks, with
their constant temptation to overin-
diligence, were blocking the progress
of civilization.
The problem In the United States is
acute. The perplexities of society In
its task Of assimilating q tremendous
importing Of alien population. OF ad-
justng European habits Of life to
American standards of living. of pre-
serving American ideals OF individual
freedom, of granting the maximum Of
liberty under the law, are made more
difficult by the influences Of intem-
perance. Probing crime, poverty, de-
gradation, the Ill health of c0mmuni-
ties for their causes. the roots Of each
.of these evils are found to be nurtured
NY the extravagances OF alcoholic in
diligence Political reform seeking to
purify institutions OF government and
to restore and maintain the original
ideals of an intelligent democracy
faces the organized forces Of liquor
interests seeking to control local and
state governments and not hesitating
at the doors of the national Capitol.
1t finds Official corruption allied with
and making its headquarters In sa-
looms. II finds the propaganda Of un-
rest and revolution sowing its seed In
minds inflamed with liquor and In
lives made miserable through waste
OF earnings and substances at the
dramshOp. The stste finds its burden
of dependency and criminality,. In
creasing naturally with the popula-
ton, exaggerated by the evil Of in
temperance. Industry. appreciatine
the value in intensified composition Of
human energy and ability and ap-
preaching conditions where Individual
responsibility 10 to be q moro impor-
tant factor In achievements realizes
that It's resources are b1Ing sapped
Society, the State, industry, the moral
political and material welfare of the
nation are aroused against = common
foe.
The prohibition wave In the South
and rapidly extending over Northern
territory. cannot be understood un-
less the evil Of intemperance ID con-
sidered In all these places In the
South, az insidi0us az the hook.
worm, 81 disastrous az pellagra, In
temperance was the enemy Of civil
ization. It infamed pas1ions and
caused crime. 1t dissipatod 6arningl
and caused poverty. II united work
men and kept the productlye capacity
of the population at mlntmum. j
dehed laws and bred snsrehy. Ant
lthe South, Jealous a. ever Of md
lyiduel freedom OF action, ah61cpte4 IL
principles OF personal riohtn a1a priv
lflsges End enacted and hAe eafoscet
tprohibitory laws In sslf-de1e1Iee.
Whether or not such extFepo1 egls
lktIon viii b required throul cnt ~
| hstion. and whether or NOT nee1pe
lbfnhihl ltlom shall b anaH aH1Xerq 49,
ltlons not 70 b. anSwsred ]!
IprOhibition wxvs = sprsa ~ hrqro