Evening journal., 1919-01-27

"Tell us about national. or I guess
they call Il nation wide prohibition"
said Joe.
That's a pretty big order" ans
wered Uncle Harry. Besides, guess
you've been reading the news dis
patches, haven't your"
'Yes indeed" spoke up Helen. "And
we know that thirty-six States-mOre
than that many, in fsct,-have ap-
proved Of the Prohibition amendment
to the United States Constitution, and
that sometime in 1920, all the places
that make and sell intoxicating liquors
VIII have TO shut up and go out OF
business. We know all that, because
you have taught us to read the paper
and keep posted on the important
news. But / think know what Joe
means he wants you 10 tell us some
thing Of the history OF the fight against
drinking and why the people and the
State Legislatures have been so ready
20 vote the nation dry"
'Well that Is an interesting ques-
tion," answered Uncle Harry, "and I'll
be very glad to talk TO you about II,
and tell you all that ! know Of the
subject. For II we would understand
{ his question OF Prohibition thor
Oughly, we must, in this instance, as
in all cases, understand the back
ground, so 10 speak-that is, the ideas
that have gone ahead Of the move
ment and paved the way for IT,"
Prohibition an Old Question.
"Rohibition isn't a new question. is
it9" asked Jimmy.
mo indeed IL is not" answered
Uncle Harry For centuries there
have been some people in each genera
ticn who opposed the manufacture and
sale Of intoxicating liquors. but the or
position to drinking did not gain any
considerable headway in any part OF
the world until the Prohibition move
ment was started in the United States
shortly after the Civil War"
WAS that when the Prohibition
party was started?" asked Joe.
about that time" said Uncle Harry.
The Prohibition Party was organized
in 1863 and right here let me tell you
a curious thing Although the Prohi-
bitlon Party has been in existence here
in the United States for more than
half century, il has never had any
thing like nation wide success as a pO-
litical party. In fact, as a political
party it has practically stood st;ll,
while Prohibition, the object OF the
party-the very thing for which the
party was organized-has moved on
through the years, achieving one State
success after another. until today, by
the approving vote Of Legislatures of
Hrus D. afrsrr faF NnNn he
ed by Congress I'm 1917, has been made
law and because an amendment, or
part Of. our United states Constltu-
lion"
But how is It that Prohibition has
succeeded while the Prohibition Party
has not been a success2" asked Helen.
THAT curious condition Is the result
Of this fact" said Uncle Harry. Hun
dreds Of thousands Of vOters-milliOns
would be more nearly correct, who felt
that the Prohibition Party as a politi-
cal Party. was not broad enough t0
meet all the needs OF the nation. have
been persuaded that the prohibition OF
the manufacturer and sale Of intOXi-
eating liquors would be a good thing
for the nation and its people. SO the
Prob bltion Issue, urged by prOhibl-
ton workers, and endorsed by the can
didates Of the different parties. became
what is known as a non-partisdn is
sue"
a good many States have been dry
anyway, for some time, haven't they2
asked Helen
First State Success i'm 1851.
Yes, indeed" said lnclo Harry.
THE Prohibition Movement had its
first big success in 1851 when Maine
voted itself dry. Since then other
states have been voting themselves
dry. from year to year; and in many
States, where there have been what
are called local option laws, many
Of the counties and cities and towns
l.iev adopted IrOh'hltion. So, year b
ycat. the I'm ',nt Of terrtcry IN our
cOutry where intoxicating liquors
could be manufactured. AMI bought aud
sold. has been growing smaller and
smaller"
Isn't there some talk about the Pro-
h!hit. on Amendment never becoming a
law?" asked Jimmy.