Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-10
The Webb-Keny on Law Decision

It would be bndfold dash to assume at this hour, to
present to readers the full meaning OF the decision OF
the United States court to the constitutional
ty of the WebbKenyon law prohibiting the shipment OF
intoxicating liquors from "wet" into dry" states we
have read the full text of the decson we are unable
to say what procedure may be had under heaw against
shippers transportation compames we WISH d.
this time when step that in its ultimate lpor
lance effect be almost too good to be ru to hod
out no false hopes those who rejoice with But we
say that the goal of of three great hopes
National prohibition of manufacture and sale OF any sort
of ntoxcans for beverage purposes absolute closing OF
the mails, and expresses andother OF promoting
an unhoy traffic; recognition by the federal govern
ment states rights to egsate for the welfare OF its
citizens without involving federal objections.
To us it seems that the last of the three has been real
zed and that the decision susains exercise of the
lice power of state under which such state pre-
scribe regulations promoting the health, peace, morals
education and good ORDER without interference on the
part of Interstate Commerce Law that state may
legslate the industries within its boundaries
and add to it's welfare and prosperity without the hand
leap of great and immoral organization backed by the
federal government preyng upon that welfare and pros
perity.
Maine claims ctzenry enlightened, progressive and
moral beyond the average That citizenry demands to
advance but for years they have been handicapped not
only by the less progressive element within her borders
but by tremendous influence beyond her reach, and
abetted by federal law.
Names laws have been sneered at at home, ignored
by the selfish interests in less advanced commemorative
and her ambitions sterny held in check by the federal
eminent Today all is changed, for the Supreme Court
has held that Congress has complete authority to pre-
vent paralyzng of State authority.
On the streets and cars Tuesday, heard of leg
al training recessy declaring that this decision has
effect this State at this time We believe that view is
superficial and that when the law and the decision
harmonized farreachng effect will be found-at least
a moral effect beyond estimate.
We hear who is opposed to all prohbitory law,
say, gleefuly 'The Webb-Kenyon law has penalties
attached" But he perhaps did not know that Sec of
that law provides that SHALL upon arrival
within the boundaries of such state territory and be-
fore delivery to the consgnee be subject to the operation
and effect of the laws of such state territory enacted
in the exercise of its reserved police powers to the
extent and in the though such liquids
liquors had been produced in such state territory,
shall be exempt tharefrom by of being in
troduced therein in original packages otherwise"
We doubt IT the attorney general would to give
opinion off hand to the possibilities under tn Webb
Kenyon law reinforced by Supreme Court decision as
to it's application. Certainly lit is beyond the average
newspaper writer to to instruct the public on
question of SO much Importance But we remember
things and ask readers to note that
the breaking down of great and greedy traffic has
begun did the breaking down of the lottery system
and the triumph of moral progress in the end They
first restrained in direction and then another
until they pushed off the continent.
The liquor interests have fought every inch of the way
They have claimed until yesterday that the law was I'M
constitutional and have acted according that assump
ton. They have said:
s ss % tn? use sa @e
course that method accomplish
of
%an D SS Ss which makes 13 S s which makes the de-
And they have gone ahead that ground to snow u-
der with all sorts of cunning advertising, sophstc APP
peal and false denuncation of law to create "demand"
This demand is the hope of the traffic. for patrons soon
die off, and every energy of this whole gigantic bust
of supply is concentrated the efficient renewal
of demand"
There we have the first benefit of the law Just up
held One by one closing up the gaps that lets in
the missionaries of evil business increase the de-
mand they have fattened supplying.