Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-05-30
THE LEGISLATURE

ator Sproul on a distinctly "dry"
platform for Governor of Pennsyl-
vania and the fact that he will be
opposed by a pronouncedly wet
candidate on the Democratic ticket,
the temperance issue in this State at
the November election is apt to be
more closely confined to party
lines than would have been the case
had Mr.. Guffey been the Democratic
nominee. 1t goes without saying that
the liquor interests-an always over
rated and steadily dwindling in
fiuence-will be aligned with Judge
Bonniwell, while the temperance ele-
ment will support Senator SprouI.
Any division of party. strength by the
appearance of.f'wet" legislative can
didates on the Republican ticket at
this time would play directly into the
hands of the Democrats and :njure
the interests of the Republican
nominee.
1t is highly important, from a ma
tional standpoint, that Pennsylvania
at this time maintain her rock
ribbed Republicanism ana to that
end the majority by which Senator
Sproul is to be elected next Fall
should be made so large as to be at
one and the same time a discourage
ment to Democracy and a signal of
encouragement to Republicans every
where who are looking toward a vic
torious national campaign in 1920.
This can be accomplished, but only
by thorough union of the party
along all lines at the coming cleo
tions. Harmony is the essential fac
tor and since upon the only issue
that is likely to receive serious con-
sideration at the hands of the voters
the Republican sentiment is dry"
party loyalty alone ought to be suf-
ficient to bring all unpledged legis-
lative candidates into full accord
with the head of their ticket on the
subject of national prohibition.
There is also the popular and
economic side of this great question.
Congress is Enthusiastically dry" as
the vote in the House only few
days ago, calling upon the President
to forbid the use of foodstuffs in the
manufacture of alcoholic liquors
during the period of the war, plainly
indicates. State after state is going
dry" Even liquor men themselves
realize that the traffic is doomed.
Pennsylvania should stand on the
right side of this great reform. She
should assert her leadership on this
as on other important questions.
What we do at the coming elections
is not likely to affect the eventual
adoption of the national prohibition
amendment. but it will greatly affect
our prestige as a commonwealth in
the eyes of people everywhere who
are praying and working for the day
when traffic in strong drink shall be
abolished.
Furthermore, in Harrisburg and
Dauphin county, at least, alignment
with the dry forces at this time
ought to be distinctly advantageous
to the unpledged legislative candi-
dates. The temperance vote was
widely divided at the primaries, the
strength of the prohibition voters
being distributed among many favor
ties in all parties. But it will be
concentrated on these offices in No
vemher, with the result that openly
wet" or unpledged candidates win
make their campaigns under very
distinct disadvantages.
1t is currently reported that at
least three of the four Republicans
nominated may be counted upon 10
vote for the national amendment. IL
elected. But there should be- no
doubt about 1t. They owe it to them
selves. their party and the voters at
large to make their position absu-
lutely clear. The time has come
when they should declare them
selves.
CeStainly, in view of the fact that
the Democrats in this county have|
nominated four candidates for the
Legislature pledged to the pro-
hibition amendment, the Republican
nominees have nothing to lose md
everything to gain by a prompt an
nouncement of their purpose TO-
stand with Senator Sproul in his
manly and straightforward attitude