Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-05-27
49,
THE PENDULUM OF REFORM

When the pendulum of time starts to swing in the direction Oh
reform it is very apt to swing SO far over that the good that might
otherwise be accomplished is not only counteracted, but a reaction
sets in that threatens to undo that which has been done.
Just at present one of the greatest reforms thatis under way is
that of prohibition. The evils of the saloon is the direct cause of this
nationwide movement. The liquor dealers and brewers are them
selves to blame for the predicament in which they now find them
selves Like a nerson with a slight infection, instead of attending to
II themselves when the danger is first pointed out to them and apply
ing remedialtreatment so a S to eradicate the evil, the matter is lg-
nored until lit becomes so bad that a major operation is necessary ana
amputation is the result
With prohibition now provided for in the constitution, certain Oh
the mor radical reformers have decided to try their hand on tobacco.
While the agitation is ridiculed in general, there S no doubt as to the
seriousness Of those who are advocating the placing OF a ban o smok-
ing lust IS has been placed on intoxicating liquors.
But there is a vast difference between the use Of intoxicating
LIQUORS and the use of tobacco. In the campaign against prohibition
a great deal is heard about personal liberty. But personal liberty,
ever since the dawn of civilization has had to step aside in the interest
of society as a whole. Personal liberty does not permit a man to burn
his own house down. Personal liberty does not permit a man to beat
his own child when there is no other provocation for the beating than
that it is his child. Personal liberty does not permit a man to beat his
horse or dog, even. These things affect society as a whole and when
that is the case personal liberty has to be surrendered for the good OF
mankind.
In the same way personal liberty in the use of intoxicating liquors
must give way because the use of intoxieants not only causes a man to
go out and perpetrate crime, thereby endangering the life and happi
ness of others, but it breeds insanity and poverty, casting a burden
upon others that is unjust and unfair.
On the other hand, the use of tobacco is a habit that affects only
the man himself. No one ever heard of a MAJ smoking two or three
pipes full of tobacco or a pack of cigarettes and then going home and
beating his wife or chasing his children out of the house as a direct re.
suit of that smoke. If smoking does not agree with a man and ruins
his health, that is his own affair; no one else is harmed. 1t is, indeed,
a matter Of personal liberty
Everything can be done to excess and thereby become harmful
When a smoker smokes to excess he harms only himself When a
person uses intoxicants to excess he harms not only himself, but he
becomes a dangerous character and very often has to be locked up, at
more or less expense to society as a whole, until he becomes sober
again.
vAs d~petter of fact, no reasonable person can find any fault with
smoking and the use of tobacco is not to be considered in the same
class with that o. intoxicating liquors. Because this is universally
recognized by every fairmnded person (and the great majority are
fair-minded) the advocates of the adjustment of the use of tobacco
are not likely to get very far in their campaign.
Liquor prohibition is directed against a real and potent evil. Ad-
vocacy of it is supported by a long and gruesome trail of crime,
misery and human shipwreck. And for that reason its appeal has met
with popular favor, and therefore, with legal support.
In the case of the tobacco prohibition practically all of the ele-
ments which give strength to the crusade against alcohol are lacking
Especially is this true in the case Of the cigarette, which has been the
solace and comfort of many a brave lad in all branches of the service
and which has been approved and encouraged by all the civic organr
cations dealing with the men in uniform.
Nothing can be accomplished in this country without the support
Of public opinion Public opinion will never stand for the prohibi
nose is only the swinging of the pendulum far past the mark of reform
and touching ON fanaticism. Unless those who are back OF the leglti-
mate reform movement are careful they win find that a complete re-
vulsion of public sentiment will set in causing a backward SWING OF
the pendulum that would undo the good that has already been ae-
complshed.
~~