The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1916-02-25
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1910
PR0HIBfIi0N LAW.

mud the best energies Of the lobby at
annapolis. none equals IN intensity (hnd
we modestIy suggest in the fog with
which it IL surr0unded) the issue OF
state vide prohibition. Losing sight OF
the issue now involved, shall the people |
Mt large be given the right to say |
whether or not intoxcants shall he |
hanshed from the state. advocates de |
vote their best strength to prove the |
evils OF Intempcrance, while its oppon- |
cnts dwell on the benefits of alcoholic
stmuAnts properly used, the abuse OF
personal liberties. the c0nfiscation OF
property invested in the business, etc.
Al of these are themes which may well |
be- considered when the time arrives to
vote "for" or against the law. but
have no proper place in the issue now
before the Legislature.
The question now IL. shall voters be
allowed the right Mt the polls to pass on
this question for themselves. 1t IL
maxim of democratic government that
when public sentiment favors the pas
snge of law which IL morally sound,
that then the time has not Only come
when the people should be allowed to
CRYSTALLINE their views into law, but that
such law will be etTectually enforced
when passed.
1t IL also u maxim of sound represen
bat Ia ahn
be under the control Of such morally
healthy laws rs majority Of them de
sire, and that when II large proportion
ask for the privilege of the referendum
on IA given issue the safest way OF con
cIusivcly determining their wishes il to
grant this request. A law passed under
these circumstances commands and re-
ccivcs general observance. because It
rests on those basic principles of fair
ness and justice which must be at the
foundation of all healthy laws. es.
pecially those enacted for police protec
ton.
There can be no question in the minds
of obscrvant citizens ~ 10 the senti-
ment in rural Maryland on the liquor
question: A large proportion of them
are against the saloon. Many of us can
remember whenit was Just the reverse;
rs religious question many OF unques-
toned religious convictions then favor
ed license, and as IA business issue il
WAS never raised.
To-day the latter situation is com
plctely reversed: 1t comes before the
Legislature as II sumptuary law for po
lice protection, and on the sound doc
trIne that IA state has the right not only
20 regulate, but If necessary. to abolish
II traffic which directly or indirectly af-
frcts all of Its people, they have right
to speak for themselves.
While, therefore, we believe few, If
any, doubt that n law for the submission
of this question should be passed, there
are details of the gravest moment which
should not he hastily tossed aside. The
most important of these is whether or
not Baltimore city should decide by her
own vote what her fate shall be.
In the passage of such law the size
of the unit to he effected is most i'm
pnrtant, and heretofore the county has
been the largest unit in Maryland. That
the counties will vote in favor of prohl-
ton is pretty well predetermined be-
cause 80 many have done 80 singly al
ready, but few will make the same con.
fdental prediction about Baltimore
city, such day will come il fast
coming, but ls Baltimore ready for
prohibition today? And il not should
the counties thrust II onto her? That
vast revenue will be lost, thus serl.
ously crlppling her for some time. none
can deny; that there will be loss of
immense capital now invested in the
business, and laborers drawing their
maintenance therefrom will suffer be
yond measure is equally plain; and that
M enormous line of violations of n law
forced unwillngly onto people will be
one of the most baneful results is only
III htthlu WIFI HlstOIN III ehNi NhStF
For these reasons we believe that sub
stnntial justice and the best interests of
all considered in liberal sense, dictate
that Baltimore be allowed to decide the
issue for herself.
We know that ms n wet distributing
center she will to more or less degr, e
retard the growth OF abstinence else,
where. but the advocates of prohibition
will, during succeeding years, have II
substantial victory to their credit. and
Mt the same time be absolutely certain
that the finances of the city govern.
ment and Of those in the liquor business
are rapidly adjusting themselves to new
~,.nanditluns. and that Baltimore sent.
ment SO strongly growing in favor Of
the law that ir-will soon by her own
choice instead of by others coercion
drop the saloon.
Ann RACE HACK LEGISLATION.
For some months past an active cam
palgn has been waged in Hartford look