The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1915-01-01
LIQUOR QUESTION
A COMING ISSUE

since it threw in it's lot with the Bull
Noosers and the party of Roosevelt,
the Missoulian has editorially ex-
pressed sentiments and advocated
measures and men, that have not al
ways conceded with the views of it's
readers and of the press of the state.
The same can be truthfully said of
all newspapers. In the Missoulian
OF Thursday, December "a, appeared
an article on the question of prohibi-
tion which will also not meet with
universal appoval, but which is, new
eu4heless, a broad minded expression
and we'll entitled to the deep consider
alton of Montana people. 1t is there
fore republished below:
1T is significant Of the trend of
events that a majority of eight was
Ie>ordcd in the house of representa-
tives on the vote to submit to the
states an amendment to the federal
constitution prohibiting the manu-
facture and sale of all Intoxicating
l.cuors.
Both of the Montana congressman
supported the resolution, as did every
congressman from Idaho, Oregon,
Washington, Wyoming, North and
Soath Dakota.
While the Hobson resolution car
lied by small majority, it fell short
OF the necessary two-thirds vote re-
ouired to submit constitutional
axqendment.
Had the amendment received the
necessary two-t thirds majority in both
holses of congress, it would still have
had to be ratified by -fourths of
tl,F statesin order to become effective.
The most enthusiastic advocate of
nationwide prohibition would hardly
insist that there is, at this time, even
remote possibility that such an
amendment would be ratified by
tl77ee-fourths of the state legisla-
tu3es.
We take it that the energy expend
ed in forcing vote in the house was
r.3re for the purpose Of strengthen
ing the propaganda for statewide
prohibition than the belief that any
amendment for nation wide prohib-
itivn stands any real show of adop
ton.
That the large vote cast for the
amendment will encourage the friends
OF statewide prohibition is certain.
from many sources comes the story
tliat the prohibition forces in Mon
tara intend to force the issue in 1916
With sincere desire to see the
evils resulting from the present wide
open system of handling the sale Of
intoxicants eradicated, we believe a
movement for statewide prohibition
in Montana, at this time, would be
upevise.
Uuless backed up by an overwhelm-
ing sentiment, the enforcement of
prohibitory laws is not possible.
Before Montana enters upon the
doubtful experiment of attempting
the absolute prohibition of the sale
and use of all intoxicants, which is
not a prerequisite to temperate lily
ing, we would like to see the people
of this state try out the restrictive
liqnor laws, now in force in Canada,
and which are reported to have work.
ed so satisfactorily there.
In Canada the sale of all beer, wine
and liquor is placed under the control
of the hotels and restaurants, no
drinks being served on Sunday.
AS result of this law, drunkenness
and incompetence in the Dominion
have largely disappeared.
There is another serious phase to
the question of absolute prohibition.
Ii majority of the people have
the right to say that the minority
shall not have the right to drink GER
tain things, the same legal majority
has the right to say tina; the minority
shall not have the right to eat or
wear certain things, which may be OBJ
noXious to the majority.
When this doctrine is once estab-
lished as principle of government,
a majority can, with equal show of
right, determine what form of relig-
ious worship is best for the minority.
There is still another angle to the
question that may possibly be dis
missed by some of the Jealous advo-
Gates of statewide prohibition as un-
worthy of consideration, but which
does appeal to many fairminded men,
What is the equitable thing to do
with property investments that have
been in force ever since the very be-
ginnings of our government