The Winslow mail., 1913-02-15
Does Prohibition Paw?


make the people better morally richer happier de-
crime and criminal expenses what the
where is the sense in trying to extend it further?
1t to that the prohibition and the ansaoon
Gates of them with the very best intentions highest
trying for nominal extension of prohibition
and the widening of what they call dry territory
ure liquor dealers than they increase sobey
ity real prohibition We believe that the should
recognize the practical fact that prohibition be
except where is sustained by very strong and public
sentiment In opinion the law should require that
bid the liquor traffic in stated territory of twothrds
legally qualified should be required Under present con-
dtons vote against the saloons for prohibition often
represents the hystea Of the rather than the sober
and deliberate judgment of the voters.
One misfortune of the situation that the AnSaoon League
to live must keep going always be doing something or
pretending to be doing something whether the activity
unwse the conditions for propous npropbos
regardless of whether the conditions do justify
tvites Unless appearance of is
maintained the public to contribute and therefore
of organization and the salaries of be
paid Too often happens that prohibition raid outbreak
of activity is the result of diminishing from the pub
lie and the consequent proddng by officers of prohibition
ganizaon of its agents. than any judgment movement
is demanded in the interest of morality the public welfare
An agent prodded decides campaign selected
county town city He begins first with the preachers
zinistes of Most preachers approached this
subject usually helpless Whatever inward convictions
be the conditions and needs of the people about him.
he feels that his religious duty requires him join any pro-
posed warfare against saloons He knows that he refuses
to engage in such fight when called on his influence will
be impaired probably his deomaiona interests endangered
and his pety under suspicion He regarded and
regards himself enrolled pledged member of the pro-
hbton ansaoon forces and when he is
he must however strong his reluctance
may be- however earnestly he may wisdom of the
large majority of the church members of demo
limitations the position precisely. They oo must
into the fight whatever their private convictions
may be- Most of the are enlisted of course
They naturally emotional and part rarely look
beneath the surface of things beyond immediate moment
They the saloon and feel the harm by liquor
sold in it and jump instantly to the conclusion that they can
close the saloons they abolish liquor drinking
dant evils Thus the campaigns with these organ
lied. All kinds of appeals made to the sentiments
ons passions and interests of kinds of presume
brought BEAR Spectacular and exciting effects are
fully studied and zaousy applied Instances have been
in which business and newspapers threatened
boycos unless they and their employees supported the anti
saloon In conditions these in excitement and
turmoil hurra the barng of brass bands waving of ban
and the marching and shouting singing
children voters drummed coaxed and drawn polls
Some aroused by artificial extraordinary methods to
most ecsatc excitement others solemnly warned that
against prohibition will them eternal damnation
Politicians to be the popular side and whom
the paudts of the crowd and particularly the praise ap
plause of grateful join In these conditions
paty majority sometimes secured against cense whereas
there great rejoicing and thanksgiving mighty p1oca
nation OF another grand triumph for temperance sobrety
morality and religion The antsaoon agent goes on his way
attack another stronghold leaves Satan in his
earto do he will with the nocense law and work out his
nefaous schemes through the blind tigers and bootegges
law without real force of public sentiment thought
behind and in which nobody has any very special interest is
left to execute itself The alleged dry territory ceases to pay
liquor licenses to the State the local government while
drunkenness is not diminished everybody liquor
knows to get it, just many committed and
convcts sent before and there special
ment in thrift taxable values AS it. prohibition is
merely nominal and it's chief practical results are occasional in
convenience to stronger and the dmnuon of the public
We think the States and the have had enough of
the preense of prohibition brought about excitement by
appeals to religious fervor and by artificial exravagant
mands emotion and sentiment We believe deliberately
that that kind of campaigning and dry territory
does much harm than good Injuries the public and nd
viduas and payers burdens which there