Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-02-25
Cardinal Gibbons Attacks PrOhi-
billion.

Although strong advocate Of temper
ance and believer in local option where
it is wanted, Cardinal Gibbons last Tues
day denounced in strong terms the proposed
Statewide prohibition bill now pending in
the General Assembly.
He gave vent to his feelings and spoke
freely when delegation of representative
business men of Baltimore city, in no way
affiliated with the liquor traffic. called
upon him. He was told the delegation.
with the interest Of the city and State at
heart. but in no way connected with liquor
interests, desired to know his views on the
great question.
GLADLY. gentlemen, will give you my
views" said Cardinal Gibbons, as he seated
himself in the red parlor of his home.
Permission was then asked to take down
his statement stenographically and the
Cardinal consented. For more than Is min
utes he sat and chatted with the delegation.
pointing out to them the dire effect that
must of necessity follow the passage OF
the bill the results that have followed
time and again in other States that have
abolished the saloon. the brewery and the
distillery, only to wake up the next morn
ing and realize the great mistake that they
had made.
Here is what Cardinal Gibbons has to
say on the question:
Il am strongly opposed to any State
wide prohibition bill being passed by the
legislature, because believe that such a
law is impossible of enforcement in a city
the size of Baltimore and its environs
Such being the case. law of this kind
interferes with personal liberty and rights
and creates hypocrisy in the people The
history of the world down to the present
time demonstrates the fact that people
always have INDUCED and always will in
dulee in the use Of intoxicating liquors
Further, am opposed to the passage OF
such law because it would deprive the
State of large revenue without accom-
plishing results, and that. too at a time
when both the city and State are very
much in need Of the revenue produced.
However. am heartily in favor Of
temperance and whenever it is my pleasure
to confirm class of boys. always exact
of them a pledge to abstain from the use
of intoxicants until they become of age
| am also firm believer in local option
and whenever the majority OF the citizens
Of county or any portion of the State
wants to vote on the question of local op-
ton, their wishes should be eratified. / do
not hesitate to say that contributed in
no small measure to the suppression of the
sale of intoxicantsin St. Mary's county. Ir
this case was satisfied that the loca
circumstances demanded it.
Furthermore. it is true that the use o
wines and liquors is often abused and lead
to lamentable regrets. This have OBJ
served from long service in the ministry
yet the best commodities are liable 4
abuse. What is more harmless, for instance
than the organ Of the tonsuei We all know
the social and domestic joy and utilit!
derived from conversation. and yet tn
bad use of the tongue daily leads to lynn
and Misrepresentation, to quarrels ant
Islander, to bloodshed and often even I,
murder 1t is favorite practice of som,
friends Of prohibition. to charge their op
poneDts with being subsidized by the liquo
interests. That is most grieyOus chare,
and often without the slightest foundation
But would we be justified in putting pad
lock on our mouths because Of the occa
sional misuse Of the tongueH We should
regulate the use of intoxicants as W,
would regulate the use Of our tongues. b.
proper safeguards and restraints"