Arizona republican., 1916-08-25
WELL DoNEi cocHlSE OFFICIAL!


 Actire prosecution Of all alleged hootleegeTs and. better yet, the in creasing number of convictions in Cochise county of proven offenders against the prohibition amendment. are foTtifying sentiment which will have a stimulating effect upon the entire county. Faith in our courts IS re established: faith in the integ- ritlt and ability of our prosecuting officials IS restored: and. perhaps of greater moment the verdict of guilty as pronounced by jurics is proof that the public conscience has been awak- ened and that men serving as jurors pass judgment according to the merits of evidence and without fear or favor.
 When the courts interpreted the prohibition amendment as permitting the introduction of liquors for per sonal use. bootlcgging should have witnessed the hands of every decent man and woman raised against it. | But this was not the case and 1t | followed that no very high opinion was held of law enforcement and the general impression was that law l iessness was condoned.
 Too much praise cannot be ac- corded to those courageous officials who were intrumental in rehabilitat- | ing reverence for the law. Ii is all very well to aver that they did no more than their duty. Election or | appointment to office does not dis | turb the human equation materially. and the judge or sheriff or deputy who hews strictly to the letter of | the law when an appreciable amount nf public sentiment is antagonistic. is indeed rare. Here was a case where Cochise county officials know that a considerable number of men and women were obsessed by warped yiews. that the public veal called for missionary work of a high order.
 Now enlightenment has come and on every side is heard commendation of all those responsible for law en- forcement in Cochise. The officer who made the arrest; the prescott ing attorney who presented the evil dcnce. he judge who presided, and the jury which returned the verdict. all contributed through their partic- ipation in tho several cases in yitaliz- ing the prohibition amendment and rcdeeming Cochiso county from shameless lethargy or worse.
 No person observant of events att tending this rehabilitation of law and order can have failed to note a change little less than remarkable throughout the county Those boot le1geTs who continue at large nc longer feel that an appreciable amount of sympathy is extended to them. They know they are pariahs because public sentiment at last has branded them as such Their trade is loathsome and terror of the just law is entering their souls.
 Another phase of the situation has to do with n revulsion of feeling as | fn ha tfrin af If fe coming to be recognized generally that personal use is intolerable unless kept within the strict limttions in- tended when this concession from sheer prohibition was granted. AS exercised m to the present time, il has been failure. It would not bc far from the mark to assert that tho movement for absolute prohibition that is. the complete elimination from Arizona of intoxicating liquors is now possessed of dominant strength which only awaits oppor- unity to cypress itself at the polls.
 It is futile to discuss what would have been the case If the proponents of personal use had succeeded in en- forcing the limitations upon whici the personal use doctrine is founded In the last analysis. cit must be con. coded that personal use has been ac. corded lits trial and up to date ha' been found wanting.
 The splendid results recently at taincd by those responsible for lav enforcement in Cochise county ma, yet prove the desirability of retain ing the personal use policy bu strong misgivngs exist at present The alternative is not a logical sub ject for discussion The alternativ | is absolute prohibition.