The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1915-04-23
STATEWIDE PROHIBITION
Will Be The Issue In Kentucky Pol.
tics This Year

VIII De Inc issue In kentucky Pol
tics This Year
Says the Winchester Democrat of
the political situation in Kentucky:
State politics in Kentucky lam
warming up"
The one issue, which seems to over
shadow all others is the prohibition
question. Of the six candidates i'm the
field for the Democratic nomination
for Governor, three have lodged the
issue, one has declared openly against
Statewide prohibition, one has de-
clared that he favors submitting the
question to the people, and one has
come out openly and declared himself
IN favor of Statewide prohibition. 1t
is this candidate, Hon. H. V. McChes-
ney that the liquor men fear and have
begun to fight for all they are worth.
From Washington comes the fol
lowing long expected news: Loud
echoes of the Kentucky gubernatorial
campaign are being heard here, where
literary bureau in behalf of the
vets, is in full operation. This bureau
is preparing to send all over Ken
lucky literature bearing on the anti
prohibition side of the controversy.
Speeches against the Hobson national
prohibition amendment, but dealing
generally with the liquor question, de-
livered when that measure was before
the House last December, will occupy
considerable part of the volume of
literature that is being started Ken
tucky-ward. This literature is all
frankable. The leaders of the LIQUOR
forces of the country are apprehen-
sive lest Kentucky may land in the
prohibition column this year. The
fight now on is both for control of
the Kentucky Legislature, which will
meet next winter and for the election
of a governor who will at least not be
hostile to. the liquor trade"
This papers policy is pretty gener-
ally known. In the first place we
stand for Democracy and will support
the nominees of the Democratic pri-
mary, be they "wet" or "dry," male
or female, black or white. In the sec.
ond place the Democrat stands fol
Statewide prohibition, believing that
the elimination of the saloon is the
only way in which to secure clear
elections, decent government and pro.
lection for the rising generation from
the curse of the open saloon. The sa.
looms of the state are fighting in the
last ditch, and are making pitifu
pleas about personal liberty" pro.
hibition don't prohibit" and such rot
They are organized and will spend
thousands of dollars this year in ar
effort to prevent the voice of the PEG.
pie from being heard. Through some
of their organs they are proclaimine
that prohibition is not the issue in the
Governors race-that the next Gov.
ernor will have noon1ng to do with
the question; yet they are fighting
McChesney with all weapons they car
bring to bear. The Shelby Record, one
of the most pronounced liquor week.
lies in the state says: ''Isn't it the
height of folly for voter to say he
| is for some candidate for Governor
simply because the candidate is for OF
against Statewide. prohibition? 1t is
the General Assembly that determines
whether or not an election shall be
held, at which the people of the state
shall say whether or not there shall be
Statewide prohibition"
Of course the thinking voters will
ments but the temperance forces
should not overlook the fact that the
saloons are making every effort to in
fluence the vote of the ordinary voter.
Also the National Wholesale Liquor
Dealers Association, of Cincinnati, is
flooding the State with alleged news
items, intended to make votes against
Statewide prohibition. They contend
| that they want fair deal and yet the
saloons do not seem to know the
meaning of The term. They have
brought upon themselves the wrath
of the people because of their corrup-
| ton. Had the saloons kept out of pol
itics they would not be fighting for
their very existence today. But they
would not keep out and are now
doing all in their power at the same
time trying to persuade the voters
that the Governor has nothing to do
with prohibition.
But the whisky forces are we'll or
ganized and are throwing their sup
port to one man, A. o. Stanley. while
the Cry forces are as yet divided. 1t
is time for action by the dry forces if
they would win. They should get to-
gether on one candidate.
Returning to the question of Demo-
cracy and our reasons for discussing
Statewide prohibition in this connec-
ton. We wish to see Governor Nc
Creary succeeded by Democrat.
There are thousands of independent
voters in Kentucky who hold the bal
ance power. If we have read the
signs of the times Alright, the people
are Disguised with the saloons and
their corruption and are determined
to elect a man for Governor who will
use his influence in Kidding the State
of them. Therefore, the Democratic
party, always ready to champion the
cause of the people, should not for
sake them now.
the meetings. A beautifully served
| Now is the time for the dry element
of the Democratic party to organize.
Get busy.