Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1912-02-17
THE FARCE OF PROHIBITION.


Kansas Maine-the list is long-at divers
times have contributed illustrations of the far
cical character of prohibition evidence of the
impossibility Of egislating morals into all the
people of commonwealth Now, hard the
heels Of Alabama. steps forth Tennessee with
much direct aud much more indirect testimony
to the miserable failure Of more than twoyear
effort to end the traffic in intoxcants.
Fifteen months ago the general public outside
of the Volunteer state read with surprise that
Ben W. Hooper, republican, had been elected
governor-the first republican governor of Ten
nessee in three decades Yet this was not true,
strictly Hooper was the first prohibition gov,
ernor the state ever elected-and he bids fair
to be the last. Truth of the matter was that the
prohibition democrats who three years ago forced
statewide prohibition and statewide inhibition
Of brewing and distilling had been Disguised
with the failure Of the democratic administration
to enforce the laws passed despite its resistance
that they eagerly turned to the republicans and
Endorsed the latters candidate for governor upon
his pronouncement OF extreme prohibition prn
ciples Out Of campaign waged with Hooper
promising to enforce and strengthen the prohibit
tion laws and the democrats urging repeal of
the statewide legislation and retrn to local
municipal and county option the republican pro-
hihtion fuSionist. Hooper, emerged with 1880
votes to spare
Hooper has been in Office almost fourteen
months. He controlled the legislature and every
part Of the fusion bargain was carried out with
MINOR exceptions And in the meantime ''boot-
Logging has hourished tblnd pigs have grown
more and more numerous, while the larger cities
led by the capital Nashville. have defied the
state authority OF enacting licensing ordinances
regulating the traffic in liquors just as prior to
the swinging Of the state into the dry column
Mayors and aldermen have been elected ON plat
forms IF tha uto
laws-not merely assurances of liberal inter
probation. but straightout promises to legalize
and regulate the selling of spurious malt and
vinons liquors And it was not the 1awless spirit
winch placed such candidates in office. but the
sober Judgment of decent citizens who were
appalled, and Mortified by the orgy of secret liquor
selling, the multiplication of dives the de-
bauchery of the young and the train of evil
attendant upon unreguated trafcking in ntoxi-
cants, by men drawn from the lowest moral stra-
tum OF the community
And now Ben W Hooper deserted bv his
former supporters, standing forth as a republican
announces his candidacy for reelection pleads
that the laws are not strong enough confesses
he has not kept his promises to enforce the pro-
hhitlon laws and urges that it will be neces-
sary to enact all sorts Of legislation il the laws
are to be enforced
But, save in few instances the "state.
wders Sand aloof The faction of the demo
cratic party which supported Hooper and pro.
hlbltlon has reioned its local option brother the
Two committees argeeing on a state primary and
guhernatoral conventions But in ending their
arrangement. neither mentioned prohibition It's
former supporters apparently were not willing 10
discuss Il MS foes were generous Their brother :
lau'is had been recorded on the sands Only the
newspapers which supported Hooper and the
leaders who upheld his cause when that eanse
was prohibitiou-or !" statewide as they call Il
y IennesSee-eNplan again aud again that the
democrats merely have harmonized and that any
now prohibition should be taken out of poi
tirS and settled ION the broader basis 81 elc
tennessee had the example 81 her sister
state So guide her but a. with most ~ ~ tbe
warning sign ~ Paint" did not deter bnt
rather invited, the questioning testing touch ~
hnger tip The Ching "Itold.you usnally
= answered by the defensive vet halfapoloeetis
Wel-l.wasn 't.surpriscd