The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-04-20

avail nothing to go back to your dis
trict and say, this is simply a wet and
dry measure, because the wet and dry
ought not to enter into this today.
This bill does not abolish one sa-
loon in the state Of Illinois, unless
after it has been placed on the ballot,
a majority OF all the voters of the
state of Illinois say that all the sa-
looms shall be abolished as the policy
of this state. 1t does not take the
right away of any man to manu-
facture or sell alcoholic liquor for
beverage purposes unless the majority
of the voters of the state of Illinois
say it shall be the policy of the state
of Illinois that it shall not be manu-
featured or sold.
1t does not take away the right of
any individual on the floor of this
House TO go back to his constituency
and say | am against a Prohibition
measure, | am for the liquor traffic.
1t does not take away from him the
right to go up and down the whole
state and preach his views to the peo
pie OF this state, and if possible, have
his views and his convictions become
shc policy of this state-only provided
that the majority of the people do not
agree with him in his views 1t does
mot give a man or any set of men the
right-or any advantage over any
other man or set OF men to go out
and organize and get his people out
Ito vote. to make his convictions the
policy of this state.
The bill simply provides way by
(which the people OF this state can set
tie this by their own ballots, whether
or not the manufacture or sale of in
toxicating liquors for beverage pur-
poses shall be the policy of this state,
and | do not know how any man
could fear to vote yes on this bill and
then go back to his constituents and
face them. ! do not see how any con-
lstituent of any man in this state or
|any man on the floor of this House
can say to a representative if he goes
hack and condemn him or censure
ihim for simply giving to him, his con-
lstituent, the right to pass upon this
question. I do not see how any man
who has faith in the judgment or dis
erection of his constituents can go
back to them and say, eyes, I have
the faith, but I do not believe you
fought to have the right to vote on
this question"
| Gentlemen of the House, l do not
believe you are going to do it. l
think | know the men of this House
| know their sterling worth and |
know their courage. ! know that you
men who sit on the yonder side, of
Democratic faith, belonging to the
party which through all its existence,
has stood firmly for the rule of the
majority. do not see howl do not
believe you are going back and say in
this case we do not believe in the rule
of the majority and | do not see how
the men on this side of the House
who have followed the leadership OF
a party which is always willing and
always glad to carry their policy and
their conviction back to the people
for decision, and abide by that deci-
sion. do not believe that you today
are going back to your constituents
and say, Eyes, we are willing to have
that on all national policies or on all
states policies, but we are not will
ing for you to pass upon this qucs-
ltion"
believe all of us as Americans arc
not going back on the fundamental
principles OF our government, which
says that the majority shall rule. and
say to the people of our district, You
cannot rule on this question" | be-
lieve that when the vote is polled to-
day that the members OF this Legis-