The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1915-07-03
The Real Issue

The most accurate barometer reg
istering the thoughts and activities of
the people is the county paper. In
every county in the State Of Maryland
the county papers are editorially and
almost unanimously advocating the
submission Of the question of state
wide Prohibition to vote of the peo-
pie. No candidate for the Legislature
will be able to Sidestep this issue. The
people are determined to regain con-
troll of their own government so far
as dealing with the liquor traffic is
concerned.
The demand made by the righteous
clement OF the state is eminently pro-
per, fair and modest The Legislature
is not asked to close a single licens ed
snakehole by direct legislation. The
demand is that the Legislature ena ct
a law and then send it to the people
Tor approval or disposal at special
election. If approved by the people.
this statute will make the state OF
Maryland anti-saloon territory.
No one can successfully oppose such
a proposition as this-a restoration of
rights. This state belongs to the peo-
pie and 1t to the distiIlerS, brewers
and buns. Our government is built
upon the theory of majority rule. The
proposition which the temperance
people of the state are back of means
simply the restoration Of the peoples
rights. 1t means a government 'of
the people. by the people and for the
people," and not continuation of
government of the whisky ring. by the
whisky ring and for the WHISKY ring.
If a majority of the people of the
state believe that the license system
is the best method OF handling the
veXatious problem of liquor control,
the temperance people will submit. If
a majority of the people believe that
prohibition is the only method worth
while, then the brewers, disti!lers and
sa oonkeepers shall submit.
To argue that the law cannot be en-
forced i. the city Of Baltimore is to
declare that a republic is a failure.
We do not believe this for a moment.
If legislation such as was enacted in
West Virginia follows the adoption of
statewide Prohibition, the law can be
enforced in Baltimore city as well as
in any other section of the state. The
only possible method of aw violation
will be to permit set Of anarchists to
select the officers who have to do with
enforcement of law. We do not be-
lieve a majority OF such exist even in
the city of Baltimore, and we are very
certain that when a majority of the
people Of the state declare that Prohi-
bition is the proper method of con-
trolling the liquor traffic they will be
able to !egislate so that law enforce
ment machinery can be provided that
will make Prohibition a success.
The liquor traffic is alert ard its
emissaries are in every county of the
state, seeking to get men into the next
Legislature who will take orders from
the cd whisky ring. OF course. it
will select candidates who are osten-
sibly clean and upright citizens. 1t
is not going into the fight in its own
name. 1t will wear different dis
guises in different counties. So. our
friends need to be on the alert. Re-
fuse absolutely to give support to any
candidate for the Legislature who will
not openly pledge himself to favor the
submission of this question to vote
of the people; and even after that has
been done be sure that the candidate
is absolutely trustworthy and untram-
meled with any vicious political al
lance. Elk.