Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-12-19
TO make COUNTRY DRY
John Kramer Prohibition Commits
SiOner.
QUESTION OF OBEDIENCE TO LAW
Government Will not Interfere in any
Community Until the Community
Shows Indifference to Prohibition En-
fercement; but After that commu-
ity Will do Whatever is Necessary

ity Will do Whatever is Necessary.
A man fifty years old, medium In
build aud height, with determined
chin and blue eyes stepped off train IN
Washington the other day. says the
washington correspondent OF the
Rrooklyn Eagle, and inquired his way
to the office Of Commissioner or IN
ternal Revenue Daniel c. Roper. The
man was John F. Kramer, lawyer, OF
Mansfield, Ohio. He had but a 1e"
days before received telegram from
Mr.. Roper asking if he would accept
tho position of Federal Prohibltlon
Commissioner at $1,000 per year, and
II so, to come to Washington imme-
diately. Mr.. Kramer lost no time IN
coming. The correspondent quotes
him both with regard to his personal
feeling about his new job, and regard
ing wet-and-dry conditions IN the
United States:
81 don't know why was picked out
of the many thousands OF American
citizens to enforce prohibition saio
Mr. Kramer. unless it was that Mr..
Roper was looking for a man WIN
strong convictions on the subject Oh
probibition, while at the same time not
being a fanatic Since l was twenty
one wears of age / have entertained
strong views on the subject OF intoXl-
cation and have strong moral con-
victions. At the same time don
believe l am fanatic or crank on pro-
hibition. My friends have never con-
sidered me as such"
This statement, as well as the gen.
eral appearance Of the man selected lo
enforce the Prohibition Amendment 10
the Constitution, is calculated to create
tho belief that while prohibition VIII
no enforced to the limit Of the law, IL
will be fairly enforced.
I have no doubt in the world that
this country is going to be dry con-
tinued the commissioner, but the Id"
will be fairly enforced. There are some
things which should be carefully oorne
in mind in reference to the ENFORCE
ment of prohibition.
"In the first place, the line or de-
rarcation between the different forces
;,,.rasted in this matter is different
from that which it has been hereto
fore. Heretofore the line of demarca-
tIon has been between those VINO
favored prohibition of the liquor trafhc
and those who were against the prohi-
bition of liquor traffic. From now on
the line Of demarcation will be between
those who are in favor Of obeying the
law, whether their personal views are IN
harmony with the law or not, and those
who will be ready and anxious and de-
sirous to violate the law.
Secondly, the great mass OF Ameri-
can citizens are law abiding. They
NAV not at all times believe in GER
tain law, but so long as the law Is up
on the statutebooks and written INTO
the constitution of our country, they
feel 1t should be obeyed. The contrary
to this general proposition is the eX-
ception and rare, and not the rule. This
fact will tell nightly in the matter OF
getting results from the law.
Thirdly, the matter Of enforcing the
law will be primarily in the hands OF
the local authorities. municipal, county,
and state. This must ever be Kept In
mind and is vital if we reach the re-
suits which we ought to reach. The
local authorities ought to be jealous OF
this right and Jealous in the perfor-
nance of their duty, and in most cases
will be. 1t is only where they fail to
act at ALL or where they act in careless
and indifferent way that the organi-
zation now being completed will eXer-
else it's right and take up the duties of
enforcing the law. But when such
conditions exist the organization will
not be slow or hesitant in acting or in
assuming the right and privileges
placed upon it under the law"
The highest success will be attained,
Mr.. Kramer admits, only If the great
mass Of law-abiding people make their
influence and power felt. He argues
for the support of the public:
"They should stand solidly back of
those officials who do their duty under
the law. They should lend their influ-
ence and support to every agency Of
the county, state, and nation which has
to do with the matter of enforcing the
law. Obedience to law should be
preached from every pulpit, taught in
every schoolroom, and urged from
every platform.
81 have sometimes felt that there is
one danger confronting those people
who are in favor Of having the law en-
forced. 1t seems that our people are
not given to maintaining a continued
effort along any particular line of re-
form. They will make a great effort
and secure positions of much weight
and strategic Importance. When these
things are secured they then are apt to
rest upon their oars and are in danger
of losing the ground they have gained.
They will form fine organizations to
carry out certain work, but fail to
keep the organization working. The
battle for prohibition is not won. 1t is
still on. 1t is true that we have Sc