The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-06-13
The "Dry" Amendment.

COntrtbuteO.J
Easily the most sensational feature
of the recent struggle in the Louisiana
LEGISLATURE to ratify the prohibltlon
amendment to the Constitution OF the
United States was the vote of Senator
f. Nj. Stafford representing New
Orleans senatorial district) in favor OF
such ratification. Tremendous local
pressure was brought to induce him to
alter his views. but his statement III
casting his vote is eloquent Of his uI-
swerviny devotion to what he deems to
be the welfare of the people of the
state In casting his vote he said that
the dry amendment is Democratic
measure, submitted by Democratic
Congress-. and deserving of the support
of every Democrat Oh political grounds
The statement follows
There are occasions when Il legis-
lator represents only his own district
or parish: there are other occasions
when the interests involved make 1t
necessary for him to do his duty in IA
broader light and to regard himself as
Il representative. not of ward or
county. but of the state and country.
Believing that | represent the pa
triotic thinking, working and sacrific-
ing people; believing that represent
the little children whose needs for ed
ucation are not yet supplied by the
state: that l represent wives and
mothers whose hearts are torn by their
inability to save sons and husbands
from disaster and disgrace. | am on
this occasion going to vote for the pass
ing of the resolution.
:. In this era and the generation to
come the people of all the civilized
world will be dedicated to service. Eff
| ficiency from the nation and from the
| individual in it is not only gOin to
he demanded. but will he absolutely
necessary. To render that efficiency.
we must have clear minds. healthy, ull-
clouded minds, with every man and
every woman and every child dedicated
to such service as is possible.
| The time is past when any element
Of the community may debauch itself
| Ill UIlHh uIi NhC Va sAAS S-N
cesses which follow drink
AS ii mere industrial problem. in
order that We may compete with Other
peoples. it will lie necessary for us t.
have clear heads and clean EOdies tt
win in the competition. and We cannot
have these if we are Il drinking and
carousing people
1T has been said that hundreds O1
millions of capital now invested il
hreweries and distilleries will lie de
stroyed. and that taxes paid by these
! and the saloons will he withdrawn
from the public support, and the in
dustrial financial condition of the ia
ton almost convulSed because of thes
facts. This is al absolute untrutll
What will occur is that hundreds 0
millions Of capital. now invested il
lrewerieS and diStillerieS. which ar
; nonproductive and useless from an III
dustri;,l standpoint, will he turned int
the cultivation and development 0
manufactures which are of materia
!. benefit to the people, and these new In
. tlustries will pay taxes and license
which will suppiant the old liquo
excuses.
We know from experience that to
!. large percentage of the taxes to SUI
4 port parish, city and state are mad
necessary Ey the crimes which alcoht
: produces, hut we do not keep befer
!. our eyes the much larger expense t
the state caused by the failure Of PR
duction OH the farm and in the factt
ries by excessive drinking among ell
ployees.
Therefore. because l believe l rel
resent the best interests of all I'll
people: that l represent the drinkil
man who seeks to escape from Il
! clutch of liquor. but has not the pow,
. to escape: because l represent NE
:. women. and children everywhere wi
will lie better, stronger. cleaner al
bore efficient and Seryiceahle either
ii national prohibition is enacted: l.
= cause | represent Il state where Grin
will C reduced With the reduction
lilucr use: and lccause l believe th
=, the conversion of the hundreds of III
lions oi property now invested in re-
elitS. distilleiieS and saloons, viii.
~ effective industries. and should be CO
u vcrted into useful. effective and pr
1t ductivc factories, | vote yea OH t
Iy passing of this resolution