South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-24

M hibItion law now before the supreme
court of the state-whether it be held
constitutional or unconstitutional, let
sumo that the fight is finished. Temperance peo-
pie especially-they of the prohibition school,
need to bear this in mind that IS unless they are
of that low grade of prohibition school with
whom prohibition IS only political football; who
seem always more or less hopeful that their poll
teal toy may not get lost through the prohibition
which they pretend to becoming effective.
South Bend is not free from prohbitionists of
this class. We have them here as they have ev-
erywhere, strong for the abolition of the liquor
traffic when its baneful influence is against them
politically, who are seemingly totally for
getfu of its cussedness when that influence is with
them.
There is small question but there lot of
people-pretensivey prohibitionists,-
strong against the saloon only because the saloon
is against them, but quite as strong for it from
the moment that it comes to be with them.
These may be dismissed from present consid-
erations. They are hypocrites and never
count anywhere when it is matter of principle
that is involved.
The present reference is to temperance people;
they of the prohibition school, who are prohbi-
tionists from principle, and regardless of partisan
ship or political advantage.
To such as these we say, and for such as these
hope may say, that whatever becomes Of
the Indiana prohibition law before the supreme
court of the state-whether it be held constitu-
tonal or unconstitutional-let no one assume that
the fight is finished"
federal prohibition will come before tie next
session of the Indiana assembly, and whether
we have statewide prohibition for ourselves or
no. it is important that the next assembly be suf-
hciently dry" that this state will do its share to-
ward making national prohibition effective.
Amendment to the federal constitution is al
ready proposed by congress and is on its way to
state confirmation. Seven states have given it
their approval
Should our Indiana supreme court see fit to
nullfy the prohibition law, federal amendment to
the constitution is the first best and quickest way
of overruling the state supreme court; and should
the state uphold the law, the federal amend
ment is the most effective way of preventing It's
future repeal
Regardless of partisanship, or political COM
plexions, whether on the part of the candidates,
or of the voters, people opposed to the liquor
traffic, and the banefu influence of liquor itself,
should, in St. Joseph county and throughout the
state, stand shoulder to shoulder for the election
of delegations to both houses of the assembly,
who will vote for the amendment to the federal
constitution which the national congress is hand
ing down to them.
South Bend and St Joseph county, do not care
to have the spectacle witnessed again in the state
assembly, of their repreSentatives-whether one
or two of them-sIttng with brewers arms
around their necks while they vote mo" the
elimination from social moral, economic and
political life, of the most damnable that ever
despoiled a people a race.
Since the election of United States senators by
direct vote of the people, taking the political ap
pointment away from the legislature, there are nc
great national principles involved In the election
of state senators and representatives save those
handed down by the federal government for state
confirmation.
So far as national politics is concerned there
FORE it makes little difference whether man be
democrat republican, socialist or whatnot, II
he be right on the particular question that the
government hands down.
Understand. We say so far as national polite.
is concerned" As TO state politics, for partisan
influence, organization encouragement and a de
gree of helpfulness in national politics, partisan
representation is valuable, but partisanShp with
out principle never was, and never can be- worth
pinch of salt.
M EANWHILE be not discouaged-Mr Pro
IF1 hibtioniSt-over what the supreme court i
going to do to the prohibition law. Unless i
overrules itself In Atkinson versus DiSher (l7I
Ind. 665), and ignores some 12O other decisions
distinctly upholdng the rights of the legislature t.
regulate and prohibit the liquor traffic it see
fit, the act as passed by the assembly of 1917 vii
stand, and the saloon will go.
Judge Hostetter's political maneTver at Evans
vile, presuming to invalidate the law, means moth
mo whatever The ud0e wanted a be reelected