Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-02-04
Mr.. HObson's Prohibition
Amendment and its Political
Bearing.

G1AO us
Bearing.
The advocates of the Hobson amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States apparently overlook it's politi-
cal bearing and potentiality. The
wording Of the proposed amendment
is as follows:
"The sale, manufacture for sale,
transportation for sale, importation
for sale and expectation for sale, of
intoxicating liquors for beverage pur
poses, in the United States, or territory
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are
forever prohibited.
"Congress shall have power to
provide for the manufacture, sale,
importation and transportation of
intoxicating liquors for sacramental,
medicinal, mechanical, pharmaceutic-
al or scientific purposes or for use in
the arts, and shall have power to en-
force this article by all needful legis-
lation."
The United States gathers revenue
of between two and three hundred
million dollars year from alcoholic
liquors, and the various states and
cities perhaps as much more for state
and local purposes. The loss of all
this revenue would, of course, make
an enormous increase in other forms
of taxation. But the financial aspect
of the case is not the most important.
The most important, and that which
sane and patriotic citizens should
consider most carefully, is the prob
able political effect of this amend
ment, if it should be adopted.
Politically speaking, the important
part of the Hobson amendment is
that which empowers the Congress to
enforce the law. Without this au-
thority the law would, of course, be
of no effect. But what does it mean?
1t means that if the United States
Government should undertake to en-
force prohibition, it would require
great army of ficials-hundreds of
thousands. Every community would
have these officials. With the General
Government in the hands of such
politicians as we have had now and
then in the past in control, it would be
an easy matter for an administration
to perpetuate its power. With Federal
officials everywhere with authority to
search and arrest, the political power
of the General Government would be
such that, in effect, the form of gov
ernment would be changed and the
last vestige Of the rights of the states
would disappear. 1t is inconceivable
that any person who has the instincts
of freedom or democracy should favor
any such drastic measure.
1t is certain that it is difficult to en-
force any sumptuary law or any law
affecting the lives and habits of the
people, unless such lawis sustained by
the public sentiment. The adoption
of this amendment would not be by
the people. 1t would not be submitted
to the people. The adoption would be
by states and the legislatures of ten
states might reject it and it would
still be put upon them. Ten of the
most popular states contain major
ity of the people of the United States.
Let US suppose that this law were put
by minority of the people upon the
majority without their consent and
against their protest, would it not be
difficult to enforce? Would the people
of California, for instance, submit
patiently to the destruction of their
great wine industry by the other
states? How many Federal officials
would itrequire to enforce prohibit
tion law in New York City against the
will OF vast majority of the people?
The appliances for distilling alcohol
are simple and inexpensive, and as
soon as the legal manufacture OF al
coholic drinks is suppressed, then
comes the "moonshiner.n In order
to reach stills in homes and cellars,
domiciliary visits would be necessary.
In the mountains armed forces would
be required. England for years main
tained an army in Ireland to suppress
the illicit stills.
In dealing with the suppression Of
the liquor trade, the plan of the Anti
Saloon League is better. Put it to the
vote Of the people. Ifa great majority
of the people are against the sale OF
liquor, in such community there is
the best chance of enforcing pro-
hibition law. Let the people decide
for themselves. Do not let the legisla-
ture Of one state put this law upon the
people Of another state against their
will.-Baltimore Sun.
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Have you tried the New drink
called Cherry Chic, which can be had
4 at the Randy Kitchen?