Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-25

in all parties. He is not only heartily
in favor of the adoption OF the
dry" amendment by the next Legis-
lature. but he goes beyond, and
comes out strongly favoring what
ever anti-liquor regulations may be
presented to him by the Legislature
in the meantime-which means that
he will give his support either to
local option or Statewide prohibi-
ton, in addition to aiding in the
fight for the constitutional amend
ment. This puts him in a most ad-
vanced position with respect to tenn
perance legislation.
1t is gratifying to note that all
three of the Republican candidates
now in the field for the gubernator-
ial nomination. Senator Sproul, j.
Denny O'Neil and Robert p. Hab-
good. are on the dry" side and this
should have two effects-first to take
the temperance issue out of politics,
so far as the Republican end of the
governorship fight is concerned. and
to drive the skulking Democratic
bosses into the open. The Democrats
are in an embarrassing position on
the prohibition question. since Presi-
dent Wilson has not exercised the
power granted him by Congress, TO
make the country dry" by one
stroke of his pen, and they have been
keeping in the background, hoping
to profit by some mistake of the Re-
publican leaders or a wet" declara-
ton by Senator Sproul. who, how
ever. instead of giving them COM
fort, has deprived them of their only
chance of a victory in Pennsylvania
next fall.
Unless the Democrats choose to
nominate a wet" candidate. which
is not likely, all gubernatorial can
didates in this State at the coming
elections will be pledged to the dry"
amendment, and this should be joy
fully welcomed by the temperance
forces. who now will be able to give
their attention entirely to the nom
ination and election OF members to
Senate and House who will favor the
prohibitory amendment. Just as the
voters would resent an attempt by
any one candidate to assume exclu-
sive right to a campaign asset that is
nationwide in its scope, so will the
various temperance and religious
forces be slow to be stampeded into
the support of one candidate for
particular office when all aspirants
for the same office are publicly
pledged in the affirmative on the
same question. These honest people,
devoted to a great principle, will not
and should not permit themselves to
be utilized for personal or political
ends, when the aims for which they
are striving are in no wise involved.
In brief. the approval OF national
prohibition is too big an issue to be
menaced in even the slightest degree
by the settling of personal or fac
tional scores.
some weeks ago to the great injustice
done Governor Brumbaugh, in the
campaign OF 1914. by certain Anti
Saloon league leaders openly declar-
ing for his Democratic opponent,
when the present Governor was an
avowed champion of the cause.
Great care must be exercised by
these same temperance leadeEs thAtl
they do not fall into a similar error
this year and violate the spirit of
fair play and non-partisanship
which are the fundamental princi-
Piles of all these organizations in
their attitude toward candidates
openly arraigned on their side. Any
attempt to take these organizations
into camp by any candidate is fore
doomed to failure.
The Sproul statement, which ap-
pears elsewhere in this issue, is too
for adequate analysis in
limited space. presenting, as it does,
a comprehensive review of present
day conditions in the Common
wealth and a clear insight of the
many and grave problems which
must be solved within the next few
years. With respect to business and
labor, humanitarianism and educa-
ton, economy and efficiency, and all
the other multitude of subjects dis
cussed, it is an entirely satisfactory
document. 1t gives evidence of much
careful study and embraces the con-
clusions and experience of lifetime
of public and business activity.
Friends of the Senator who were i'm
patient TO get his views will not
regret that he took ample time
in outlining his platform. The re-
suit more than 1ustifies the delay.