Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-27
WHAT OUR NEICHBORS SAY
Congressman Grecne's Vote on National
Prohibition and His Explanation
Thereof.


Those who hold that Congressman
Frank L. Greene should have voted in
favor Of the resolution providing for the
submission to the States of a prohibition
amendment to the federal constitution
must at least give him the credit Of maxi
ing fearless and frank statement Of his
reasons for running counter to their de-
sires.
But, after all. those who differ from
Mr.. Greene must be in a minority in this
district for, as he points out with such
telling effect. the majority Of voters on
this side of the State have been consist
emily and insistently Of the opinion. as
repeatedly expressed by their votes at the
polls and by their representatives in the
Legislature. that the liquor question is
one for local handling.
Mr. Greene rightly says that the only
mandate he has received from the people
is to allow the troublesome problem Of a
proper liquor policy to be left to the
States, and even to the towns, for its
proper solution. Could the people of this
district expect Mr.. Greene to be a party
to imposing upon the residents Of other
commemorative law to live unto which
they themselves have so often refused
Mr. Greene has behind him the actual
voting record Of his constituents in as
Stunning the position which he has taken.
The congressman from the first district
also points out that this prohibition move
ment cannot properly be associated with
the war for, unless one Is convinced that
the struggle is to continue almost with
outDnd. one must admit that in all human
probabilities hostilities will be terminated
before the States will have had an OPP
portunity to ratify the proposed amend
ment. Even If time did exist it would be
so near the end of the war (even IL 1t en-
dures for much longer period than one
can eXpecO, that it could have no effect
as war measure. Moreover. the Con-
gress has given the President ample pow :
ers and has Joined with him in making
possible such regulations regarding liquor
and the army as he may find necessary.
But. after all. these are minor consid-
erations when compared with Mr.. Greene $
opposition based upon the belief that the
adoption OF the resolution is unwise. be
cause 1t proposes to write a statute law
into our organic law where statute laws
do not belong" One would naturally ex.
pect that a congressman would continu-
ally have In mind the fundamental diff
ference between constitutional provisions
not strange that Mr.. Greene cites this
reason for opposition. but men who do
not make study of the philosophy of
government and who do not practice a
strict discrimination in such affairs will
do we'll to give this phase of Mr.. Greene $
statement most careful consideration
AS he says, 1.-The federal constitution
was designed to establish and declare the
fundamental principles upon which this
government is founded and upon which all
statutes shall be passed and by which
they will be tested and proved by the
courts The handling of the liquor prob
lem is one of policy and not of political
principles. Policies should be defined by
legislative enactment. either State or ma
tlonai. and should not be made a part
OF the organic and highly difficult to-
change law of the land
we don't say In the constitution that
man shall not steal or murder or com
mt arson or rape or any of the other
crimes which to most men seem more
reprehensible than taking an occasional
glass OF beer. but we do have embodied
IN the constitution those principles upon
which we may build laws making Grim
maj acts OF such offenses and providing
against them whatever punishments we
may ueem eXpedient Likewise, in the
state constitution ample police powers
10 control the liquor traffic are found and
nave been availed of In many ways at
many times. The federal Legislature has
made 1t possible for State to be bone
ury' IN the passing of which legislation
MT. Greene gave his assent.
Ihere Will be honest differences OF
op'hioh as to how this liquor question
Snouia De handled. but most students
vi poh,icai science. unaffected by, any
pon.'ca, necessity OF self-protection. will
agree that the way 1t should not he af.
fected is by hard and fast constitutional
| provision.