The Republican journal., 1915-04-08
RS OPPOSITION A DEFENSE.

From the National Home Rule Asso-
citation, whatever that is, comes PAM
phlet entitled 1.-The Banner Prohibition
States, Kansas and Maine" Said pam
phlet attempts to show that Kansas and
Maine cannot compare with States where
pooze blossoms as the rose on the
noses OF sturdy citizenry. From which
one infers that the National Home Rule
Association is opposed to prohibition. So,
we might add, are the brewers, as indi-
Gated by the Brewers Year Book, a
funny volume which drifts this way
occasionally. Also, the other booze in
terests seem aligned against this prohi-
oltlon proposition with considerable solid
arlty. Nor do we blame them greatly;
business is business, and, SO far as dis
pehsers OF Joy juice are concerned. 1t IS
OF doubtful duration; therefore they.
more than more desirable lines, must
make hay and other forage while the
sun shines. That sun is setting in many
states, regulating such business as may
continue into outlawry of nature suit
able to sneak thieves, and other petty
persons, who are content to take risk
ana jail sentences for prospect of small
proht. Such a state of affairs would
never do for the booze barons, who think
IN large figures, and have long dwelt on
Easy street. Their opposition to pro-
hlDltlon is the most natural thing in the
world, for loser is apt to fight hard,
after he has been winner for so long.
AND yet it seems that this opposition
offers mighty defense of prohibition if
any were needed; if by any possibility it
increased the consumption of booze of
any brand, it would be encouraged by
liquor interests, and not always bounded
and scorned by such advocates of per-
sonal liberty. Hence we read the statis-
tics submitted by the National Home
Rule association only 10 recall that pa
trlot who divided lies into three classes,
OF which one was statistics. Of Maine
we 90 not know so much. but Kansas is
our happy habitat, and no gentleman
with ponderous paunch and fat head
need try to convince US that it isn't quite
some commonwealth as States go. Also,
we agree with Governor Capper and ex-
Governor Hodges and large majority
OF all other cltizens of the State, that
prohibition is among It's greatest assets.
"A great wheat crop is important, and so
IS corn and alfalfa, the beef steer and
his sister, and other products of which
Coburn sings. But manhood and woman
noou are SUN more important, and these
are best produced and conserved in the
community which doesn't have enough
home rule TO get drunk on, if that is the
ambition of the National Home Rule
Association. At least, Kansas has homes
aplenty of the right sort, and they are
improving, thank you. -Atchison, Kan
sas, Globe.
| The Journal has received a copv of
this pamphlet, and it may be of interest
to Maine readers TO know that Hon.
Cyrus w. Davis of Watervile, whose
activities in behalf of the liquor dealers
and brewers have been much in evidence
for some time, is the author of the arti-
lle on Maine. In an Introductory note 1t
is said of him that he "Founded the
Waterville Morning Sentinel, which pa
per has admittedly done more than any
single agency to change the political COM
piexion of the State" admittedly"
by who?