The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-05
Member of g. o. P. National
Committee Tired Of influence
Of Liquor Interests.
ENTIRE PROHIBITION
IS ONLY REMERY
Would Commit His Party To
Platform Declaration In
Favor of Making Kentucky
Dry; Opposition Expected.

Louisville. KY. Dec. ALVIN r.
Hert, Republican national committee
man, in statement issued here,
urges the Republicans Of Kentucky to
assume. without delay, a firm stand
IN favor of the adoption of a con-
stttutionA amendment prohibiting
the manufacture or sale Of intoxicat-
ing liquors within the Commonwealth.
The activity of the liquor interests
in politics. with its consequent effect
upon the affairs of the people, has
become unbearable. Mr.. Hert de-
clareA The progress and welfare Of
Kentucky. he has decided, require
that the participation OF the liquor
interests In politics shall be brought
to an end.
The surest way to accomplish this
result" according to Mr.. Hert's frank
analysis OF the situation, 'Is to adopt
Statewide prohibition" He sees no
other remedy. Holding this view. he
hopes that tho Republican party In
the State, at the earliest possible OPP
portunity. will espouse the cause Of
prohibition and work for the submits
sion of an amendment at the earliest
date consistent with the legal require
ments.
The national committeeman state
ment follows:
Conditions Unbcarable.
Conditions in Kentucky, resulting
from the political activity of the IL
quor industry and Its consequent effect
upon the affairs of the people, have
become unbearable. For years the
political parties OF the State have
been more or less subservdent to the
whiskey people. regardless Of the In
terests of the State as a whole.
For the welfare Of Kentucky and
necessary that these practices shall
be brought to an end. and the surest
way to accomplish this result Is to
adopt Statewide prohibition.
There is poor consolation to Be-
had in contemplating the defeat of
the prohibition proposal. tor that
would only prolong the demoralizing
strife. The agitation would be bound
to go on and the liquor manufacturers
and dealers would but redouble their
efforts to control the political powers
Of the State.
Absolute prohibition 10 the only
remedy and / respectfully urge the
Republican party in Kentucky to take
itAiI StAHd at OANc III l1FCI "a s1o
adoption of an amendment to the
State Constitution, prohibiting the
sale Or manufacture Of intoxicating
liquors within the borders OF the
Commonwealth. sincerely trust
that the amendment will be submit
ted at the earliest possible date con-
sistent with the legal requirements.
and hope that the Republican party
not only will work for its adoption.
but will nominate only such men for
office as are heartily in favor OF tho
enactment and rigid enforcement OF
such a law
Others Take Same Stand.
Mr.. Hert's statement is the first
which has gained great strength
within the Republican party in this
State. Other eminent members of
the party have expressed like opin-
ions some OF them recently. but the
present In the first frank. uneQuivocal
utterance from a source OF high au-
thority. Mr.. Hert's position as of7i-
cial leader of the party in the State
makes his statement rank a. the most
important development in politics
Kentucky has known for many
months.
Sentiment in favor Of Statewide
prohibition. always strong In the
ranks of the Republican party, has
been making tremendous gains lately
in the party's recognised leadership.
So strong has It become. in fact, that
there is a well-defined movement now
in progress looking to the convoca-
ton of State platform convention
at which the party's rank and file
may express its views upon this
dominant issue. That such q conven-
ton will be convoked In the near fu-
ture now seems extremely probable.
Mr.. Hert's statement undoubtedly
will further the movement.
Among party leaders little doubt
exists as to the outcome Of such q
convention. II called. The leaning OF
the party's rank and ale always has
been to the dry side Of the issue.
Tho strongholds Of tho party are dry
strongholds also. The Tenth and
Eleventh Congressional Districts are
an example. Both Congressman Lang
ley and Congressman Powers arc pro-
hibitionists-ak has BEEN an issue In
their campaigns, leaving no doubt
as to the sentiment In their districts.
Perhaps tho most striking proof OF
tho strength Of prohibition In the
rank and file. however, IL shown by
the Republican representation In the
State Legislature. Republican mem-
bers OF tho State Senate and House
are dry almost without exception.
Defoatod Dtst1Iler.
The trend toward Statewide in the
party's active leadership became pro-
nounced last spring. when tho con-
troll Of the state organisation changed
hands Tho defeat Of J. W. McCul-
loch. Of Owensboro. . distiller. for
the position Of national committee
man by Mr.. Hert was accomplished
through q combination OF strength.
In which dry leaders wsre conspicu-
GUS The management OF the fol-
lowing State campaign. determined b.
the same light. II underwood to have