The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-08-08
Does Vermont Want National
Constitutional Prohibition?


There are two distinct prohibition questions before
the country One is the question OF permanent prohlo-
non the other is the question OF war time emergency
prohibition Shall we have prohibition as the settled I
policy Of the naon?-that Is one question Shall pro-
hibon be adopted to Increase the re-
and power Of the nation for purposes and 10
last for the duration of the war?that another question
We are in favor of both kinds of prohibition, and the
swing Of sentiment In the country whole is that way
There have been notable conversions lately In sup
port OF both kinds OF prohibition. Take THE Outlook,
which has been very conservative in its position on the
temperance question for years-perhapS the most In
uental OF the great week.-Mrs. In respect TO the policy OF
going slow on prohibition In the issue OF July 81 II
cine out without reserve for sweeping prohibition In war
time and forever after 1t will pay you to read The
Problem OF Prohibition In War lime"
But the opposition is trying to throw dust in your
eyes when claims the temperance people are taking ad
vantage OF the to put National Constitutional
Prohibition. The war seems TO demand prohibition by
act OF Congress for the emergency. But if you are not
clear that point for example, you can't agree with
secretary Daniels who says that in the shpya great
improvement has been wrought by prohibition, or with
the National Coal Association which declares that The
country cannot keep booze In the mining sections and
have sufficient coal this wnterf you sill have your
doubts here, nevertheless you can believe that by 1920
when the will probably be over 1t would be mighty
REFORM great the abolition Of slavery, to have pro-
hibilion In the constitution
Did Congress act in good faith in submitting the
amendment to the states? Here Is The vote the
National Prohibition Amendment:
Passed the Senate, August 1, 1917 65 to 20
Passed The House, December II. 1917, 2S2 to l28
That was no vote Of expediency-"to clear the decks
Tor other business" The maj rity for the Amendment
in both Houses gives the lie 10 that statement Then,
these Senators ano Congressman with few excep-
tons In published interviews and in addresses to their
constituents have declared the honesty Of their vote and
their belief in prohibition They met the wishes Of their
constituents, and acted according to their convictions
The fact is, the entire country wants National Con-
stituionsl Prohibition. One who has not been In the
does not easily appreciate the immense enthusiasm
for the amendment Not references in patriotic
ad resses bring the storms OF applause that mention Of
this matter does This Is The case with every kind of
audience Illinois and Ohio and Michigan will follow
Massachusetts and Texas In getting into line There will
be rule of Minority states With two or three excep-
tions possibly, the popuous OF the country
will be numbered among the necessary 36.
Shall Vermont be left on That Is not the prospect
today Look these figures in the local option vote last
4 March.
The total vote for license in the state was 1852
against no license 2S966-ony nine towns voting license
And when you remember that many voting for license
under local option because OF the difficulties OF law en-
orcemen in dry territory with acen territory wet but
who on their own confession In favor Of prohibition If
II can he made nationwide and the manufacture OF liquor
4 stopped you may understand how big majority of the
n voters In Vermont want the amendment.
Yes-Vermont is all right She will Join the SO
states III. Honor Roll Of The statesif the people are
truly represented in the next Legislature But we can't
i afford TO run any risks We send to The Senate
only those men who have declared themselves out and
4 out for National Constitutional Prohieidon. For The
! Republican nomination at this end Of the County that
I man Is Ar hur S Payne Of North Bennington
BENNINGTON COUNTY
RATIFICATION COMMITTEE