The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-28
AN ovERwoRkrD AM TfIFSTlApBARE
FAIIAACN.

A paragraph ca the Netcs-Leadey's editorial
page saws; Realizing that prohibition doesn't
prohibit. Texas decided TO prohibit prohibition. "
As a striking eptgram, We dog our hats 20 our
contemporary Wit, but as y recital Of fact and
a specimen OF reasoning. this PLAY upon words
becomes false and meaningless.
Texas dAd not fee,4e to prohiba prohibition
A large portion CT Texas territory is under pro-
hihition law at present. and, in spite Of this
election, viii remain 50. What Texas decided
70 90 was 10 hold to the local option principle
Instead of writing a Statewide prohibition Law
into the Constitution of the State.
Neither is the reason Of this result found In
the realization that prohibition doesn't prohibit
OF course. that old argument was marched out
On parade, as it always is. by the liquor inter
ests, but the significant fact is that it was pa.
raded by the very interests that seek the un-
disturbed right 10 sell liquor. If it doesn't pro-
hihit. why do the liquor folks constantly fight
it, T The answer is apparent. II does Prohibit,
Il does decrease the opportunities of selling Ii
auor and reduces the volume OF the business,
and, for the reason that it does prohibit, the
liquor Interests invariably oppose il
The result Of the Texas dietion Is moi proof
that the Tczas people realize that prohibition
Goes not prohibit. TlAAsesult of the tight, to
the contrary, demonstrates that a majority or
Texas voters do bcHere that prohibition pro
htbifs. The amendment was defeated by an
insignificant majority of less than 5000 votes
out OF a total OF nearly 500. gao. IL YOU ohmi-
nate the thousands who voted against it because
OF personal connection with the business; the
thousands Of drinking men and saloon loafers
whose votes were dictated by thirst: the thou
sands of negroes and greasers and purchasahle
voters whose votes were corralled by the use
OF that milllon-dollar whiskey fund. You have
eliminated so many ballots of expedieneg rather
than principle and conscience as to conciusivcly
demonstrate that a great majority of the free
men Of Texas do believe that prohibition pro
hibits, and that their Wills were overruled by
the votes Of vicious and irresponsible element
who wanted the saloon for the saloons sake. re
CARELESS of the disastrous effects that always
follow its activities.
We fear that our contemporary has not fol-
lowed the course Of events in Texas. nor ana
lived their meaning as diligently AZ it has re.
Gently sought to gather news nearer home.
and We are sure that its manifest delight at the
result has led it TO rush precipitately and unad-
visefly into the construction of an epigram more
sonorous thar. sensible Il is Of q piece With
much of the discussion Of temperance reform
that finds birth 10 q preconceived prejudice
against the prohibition OF the liquor traffic, and
Is constantly inspired by the e%moluments that
wait upon the sale of advertising space to the
distributors of liquor But. in order that the
Aens Leaaer and other pfo-Iiquor papers may
give calm contemplation to the subject and reach
unbiased conclusion as the result Of impartial.
Investigation and reasoning. we invite them to
consider two propositions, which in the light
of municipal statistics and criminal records
everywhere cannot be disputed:
], The prohibition of the liquor traffic pro
hihits just as efectually as any other law pro-
hibits. when the same honest and diligent at
tention is given by authorities to It's enforce
ment.
.. The prohibition OF the liquor traffic has .n-
variahly served to make the enforcement of
other laws easier. to reduce the commission of
crime, and therefore the prohibition of liquor
adds to the value Of all prohibitiye law.
One cannot emerge from an o~pen-minded test
OF these propositions in the light of experience.
,rhere faithful oficlals harc sought to meet
their reSponstbiIttV unacr me lau, without the
conviction that prohibition, given equal chance
with any other law. will show equal results in
III power to prohibit.