Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-06-13
Why The Prohibition Amendment
Should Be Ratified.
BY w. KIRK wooLERY.

have ever met with the stubborn resist
ance of conservatism. II also adds the
SEQUEL, however, that the tendency OF
change has been unvaryingly upward,
and that the very opposition to innova-
tions looking toward better conditions
has but increased the chances for sue
cess. Nogreat reformer, no propaganda
of radical measures, no sincere advocacy
of unusual tenets, whether by individual
of association, but has been challenged,
generally ridiculed, and some times sup
pressed by unreasoning tyranny. But
whether it be the upheaval ushering in
new era or merely marked departure
from the established usageS, similar ex-
plantations can be offered for the unwill-
ingness of majority OF persons to accept
these changes. Certainly we OF the
twentieth century need no longer fear
the mediaeval custom of resort to phys
ical violence against those who would
reform state or church, but, on the other
hand, much more difficult course lies
before us if we would convert to a re-
formative measure those in whom the
primitive characteristics OF Self-love and
lust predominant.
No one will deny thai the people OF
the United States are progressing. 1t is
slogan of a great city that "Pittsburg
promotes progress" and of another that
"Des Moines does things" These are
the signs OF the times and either could
well be applied to the nation as a whole.
To West Virginia in particular nature has
allotted her treasures with lavish hand.
The citizens of this prosperous State
cannot fail to assume commanding posi-
ton in the march OF civilization toward
better things. Undreamed Of opportuni-
ties await the oncoming generations who
will inherit an estate of which kings
would be justly proud. 1t behooves the
inhabitants OF this commonwealth, there
fore, to bequeath to their posterity the
soundest of tenets by which 10 admins
ter the affairs of State. And most en-
phasis is to be laid on this fact: that the
greatest opportunity ever within the
grasp OF the people OF West Virginia for
progress in the right direction is given in
the right to vote on the proposed prohi-
bition amendment to the State ConStitu-
ton on the fifth of next November. A
proposition of such general interest as
this will undoubtedly gain the attention
it deserves, and aSSuredly il is worthy OF
intelligent consideration. Without as
sumption as to its coustitutionality, this
amendment will bear survey from three
standpoints that OF business, that OF pa
triotism, and that of social progress.
In the first place, il is necessary to de-
termine the meaning of the term "busi-
ness" as it will be herein employed.
That sense is this: that business is the
production, exchange, and transportation
OF goods. Those things to which peo-
pie in general are accustomed to attach
value constitute goods" II is need
less to dwell on the wonderful progress
that has been made along the line OF
business, on the importance which is
ascribed to it, nor on the extent to which
il affects the stamina OF the nation, mas
much as il is desirable to direct attention
to particular phase OF business activity.
The liquor industry more often than any
other is obliged to defend its very exiS-
tence. To the repeated attacks upon
them, the brewers and diStillers answer
with favorite and well-worn arguments
that liquor "makes business" and that
at is a legitimate business" Theirs is
the standpoint that whatever "makes
business" for them is profit TO the var
ious other branches OF business and to
the professions in general. Even in this
respect, OF increasing the volume OF buSi-
ness in any city or community, the argu-
ment can carry no further than to one
division ofthe definition previously given,
namely, exchange. No sane person
would attempt to prove that mar ability
along the line of production is increased
by the liquor industry. The same is
practically true of transportation, since it
remains as an indisputable fact that the
same investment in any other line OF in
dustry would make far much greater and
healthier development OF the tranSporta-
ton business than the liquor making
concerns. This can easily be proved by
a comparison of the business given to a
railroad by two companies OF equal capi-
tai, one manufacturing intoxicating bey-
erages, the other some commodity OF
general use. Concerning exchange, il is
indeed difficult to appreciate the reason
ing, if in fact there be much, which leads
the adherents OF the liquor cause to be-
lieve that if spells prosperity for those
engaged in retailing goods. Certainly
the argument cannot be based on the ex-
perience of those very business men who
are supposed to be enriched, for it is a
false proposition to assume that they will
receive more trade from the introduction
of business which tears down the pur-
chasing power of their customers. Select
any retailer, except the saloon-keeper'
and inquire if the business brought into
city by liquor is building up his trade
determine if there are more book ac-
counts or not, if il is more difficult 10
collect bills or not, if greater part OF the
laborers' weekly wages is spent in the
saloon or not, if the liquor business adds
greater wealth to the whole community
or not. Then and then only answer for
yourself, does liquor make business
The manufacture and distribution OF Ii
| nuor &c unclaimed as a legitimate buSi-