The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-04-03
TO FIGHT PROHIBITION.
All the Power of Liquor Is to Be
Thrown Into the Battle.

The "drys'' had better be on guard,
writes the Washington correspondent
of the Charlotte Observer, for the
"wets" are up and doing, and they
have a big bank account to start
with. A number of metropolitan dali
lies are supporting the movement to
undo the constitutional amendment.
Rhode Island may take the amend
ment to the supreme court and ask
for an opinion on it's constitutional
ty. The quickest way to get decis-
ion in the highest court is through
suit brought by State. The attor-
ney general of Rhode Island, if au-
thorized by the State legislature to
test the amendment, can go like a
bee to the supreme court.
The distillers are keenly interested
in the Rhode Island proposition.
They will aid, if possible, the move
ment to have that State break up the
prohibition amendment by having
the supreme court declare it uncon-
stitrtional on the grounds that it
does not, in fact, amend the consti-
tuition but, "completely alters and
transforms it." They say that this
is the most direct way to strike the
amendment, described as a revolu-
tionary transformation Of the gov
ernment, and destructive of the con-
stitution.
Four definite steps have been TAX
en- to swat prohibition.
The first was made by Theodore
A. Bell, of California, when he start
ed a propaganda to have the anti
prohibitionist and others in 13 States
which have authorizations and ma
chinery referen dums to approve or
reject legislation. Mr.. Bell repre-
sents wine interests of his and other
Western States. He contends that
the ratification of the prohibition
amendment is not complete without
the referendum. The vote of the
legislature must be passed upon by
the people. The agitations for ref
erendums is now under way, but it
will be some time before results are
seen. Each State involved has a sys-
tenn of it's own for putting the mat
ter up to the voters. The anti-saloon
league, which has the advantage of a
well-organized machine in every
State, is quite as busy as its foes. 1t
is combating the idea that refer
endum is necessary, and is urging it's
supporters not to sign the call for
referendums.
The second step was the beginning
of local organizations-libe and
other parties-to oppose the efforts
of the anti-saloon league in State
legislatures and congress. This
movement is more or less under COW
er but signs of its work have been
seen in Washington and other cities.
It is understood that in the near fu-
ture the locals will be welded into a
great national league or union with
plenty of money to keep it going.
Legal steps will be made by brew
ers and distillers to restrain the gov
ernment from putting into effect the
war prohibition act and the constitu-
tionA amendment.
If the Rhode Island proposition
fails then suits will be brought
throughout the nation by distillers.
The time in which the opponents of
prohibition have to act is so short
that they are seeking the quickest
route to the supreme court. It takes
several weeks to reach an opinion in
the supreme court on important con-
stitutional questions that are involv-
ed and hard fought through the low
er courts. That is the reason the
Rhode Island plan has caused so
much Joy in the anti-prohibition
camp. A State has the right of way
when it starts test for the supreme
court.