Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-02-04
A PROHIBITION AMENDMENT

[From the Pittsburgh Gazette. Times
Under the direct primaries act passed
by the last General Assembly OF Penn
sylvania no provision is made for State
conventions of the several political
parties. The usage of many years
therefore, by which conventions formu-
lated policies and adopted platforms hsu Is
ever, as members OF the state coHfhl.e
tees are elected by a direct vote OIL
members of parties 1t is natural to as
sembled at the proper time and indicate
such principles and measures as may
be considered essential and logical Tor
party candidates este to represehitt,t res r. for grant
ed that, as far as the Republican party
of Pennsylvania is concerned. ITS STATE
committee, as soon as is practicabie ana
May 10 as possible, will be called to
meet by State Chairman Crow to dis
cuss and declare d platform. This COM
in behalf of snons ths Of
reflect what reasonably may be regard.
ed as the sentiment of the masses OF
Republicans upon subjects. OF govern
provision for good roads, the mainte-
nance of the public school system at IL
present high standard, the question or
and the 81 reyls,on state cbarities o and
such other issues or matters as are re-
lated to the progress, prosperity ana
well-being Of the CommoniWeaithh, ,it.aa H. Iii Ia
means should face all conditions
Squarely.
The problem of the liquor traffic in
Piles minds, whether the individual as
a unit favors our existing license sys-
tenn or advocates it's Adjustment. For
this reason The Gazette-Times urges as
a proposition of paramount Importance
that the State committee. take formal
stand in favor of submission to a vote
of the people of an amendment to the
the manufacture and sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors within the borders OF Penn-
sylvania.
It is quarter of century this year
since the people of Pennsylvania have
had an opportunity to pass upon this
question. In 1889 an amendment COW
ering it was voted upon and defeated.
Since that time, despite the energy n y WIN ,ttsd
to temperance have sought for the
means of further expression OF pub
lie opinion, there has been no test be-
General Assembly on local option bills.
When we look about us and observe
the change of conditions in twenty-five
years and the remarkable shifts Of at
titude and sentiment that have develop
ed meanwhile on almost every question
affecting the public, 1t is not to be
thought that Judgment has stood still
fact is that there has materialized a
significant and far-reaching restrictive
movement, nation wide and irrespective
of political lines. The issue undoubted-
ly is Of such large proportions as to
commend it to the determination of a
referendum vote which, as to consti-
tutional amendments, 10 confirmed
American principle.
Why not, under these. circumstances.
let the voters of Pennsylvania pass up-
on this moral and economic problem?
The liquor people bluntly assert that,
If such an amendment is submitted. 1t
will be defeated. The adherents of
prohibition, with equal confidence, de-
clare that 1t will be ratified. Neither
side is satisfied with conditions as they
Gazette Times firmly. believes that 1t is
the duty of the Republican party which
is progressive and constructive, both
by tradition and in practice. to recon-
mend the submission of an amendment
dealing with the question, so that in
the nomination Of its candidates for the
State Senate and the House of Repre-
sentatives aspirants may enter with a
full knowledge of the issue confronting
them, and Republican voters at the
same time may be in position to Judge
them with regard to their prediction
and pledges,