Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-07-04
Judge Peters Address Before The
Bar Association.

Juuko FotcT AuuToSS DoIOTo i NO
Bar Association.
Predicting prosperity for some time to
come. urging approval of the league Of
nations, calling for a curb on waste In pub
lie expenditures, deprecating woman suf-
frage as likely to dethrone the fair sex from
the high position in which II has been held,
advocating prohibition and proposing a
plan for the settlement Of the railroad sit
uation. Judge Edward C. Peter, president
Of the Maryland State Bar Association.
Thursday morning of last week opened the
annual convention with his formal address
at the Hotel Chelsea, Atlantic City. Judge
Peter covered wide range Of subjects and
held the attention of the membership
throughout the reading.
81 find the war has left nothing for re-
construction, though it has left much for
reformation. The wealth Of the nation
has been greatly increased by the war.
Even the loss to the country in man power,
when measured by its economic value, is
negligible. The duration of our present
prosperity cannot be foretold but it looks
as If. with domestic tranquility, it ought
to last long time.
in the prosecution of the war there was
an enormous waste of public funds When
we consider the nature and extent of the
undertaking, the uncertainty as to the du-
ration of the war and our total unprepar-
edness to engage in the war. we are COM
PEELED to admit that this waste could not
have been avoided without delaying our
preparations.
THE people. however. are profoundly
concerned about the gross and indefensi-
nf IN haf In
going on in every department of the Fed
eral Government. and they are looking to
both the executive and legislative branches
of the Government to stop this waste now.
If the President had the power to veto
items in appropriation bills. this would
prevent much legislative waste. On the
other hand, If the budget system was
adopted. that would limit executive ex-
travagance provided the budgets we're
prepared by experts who had no part in
the expenditure Of the money. 1t wOuM
be fatuous to expect any government to
be conducted on economic principles. but
the people have a right to demand that
the lawless indefensible. objectionable
waste of their money that is now going on
should be stopped TO the end that the
weight of taxation they are bearing may
be promptly lightened.
MAKES PROHIBITION Plea
1.-THE subject which has occupied the
thoughts Of our people for long time is
the prohibition amendment. the effect of
which will be so acutely felt in a very
short time. While many right thinking
people opposed the adoption Of this amend
ment, now that it has been adopted, il will
be found that the mass of Americans will
obey and encourage the enforcement Of
the prohibition. The amendment will be
violated and its strict enforcement will be
difficult and the occasion of some disorder
and violence, especially in the large CEN
tiers Of population. This is to be expected
because the fixed habits OF men cannot be
changed as a garment, and alcohol can be
secretly, cheaply, quickly and easily pro-
duced.
my views upon this subject have been
formed by many years of observation Of
the workings of the Local Option Law in
Montgomery county This amendment will
improve with age, for succeeding GENERA
tons will never know what they have lost
by its adoption. II is reasonable to believe
that in the future there will be few who
acquire the habit of using intoxicating
liquors. and as the number decreases vio-
lations Of the law will become fewer and
its enforcement will become easier.
AvERsE To WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
THE amendment to the Federal Consti-
tuition comforting the right OF suffrage upon
women having been passed by the Con-
gress the question is now an issue In the
several States Of the Union. For myself,
cannot understand why women should
want to descend from the position they
now occupy to engage in the none-tOO-
clean game Of politics. have given this
my best thought and | am convinced il
would be most unwise for them 10 do So
BY voting they can gain nothing that they
cannot have from the men for the asking.
For reasons that are obvious this
amendment, II adopted, will be more DO
tential for harm to Maryland than to any
other State in the Union. The States ought
to be permitted TO retain as q souvenir
remnant Of the right which the Fathers
regarded as the keystone of the Constitu-
ton. II the sentiment OF the white women
Of Montgomery county Is fairly represen-
tative, believe am safe in saying three
fourths Of the white women Of Maryland
are opposed to this amendment, and few
Of the remaining fourth are insistent upon
its ratification.
For LEAGUE Or NATIONS.
THE most important matter growing out
OF the war is the covenant Of the league of
nations proposed by the Paris convention.
We are engaged TO our Allies TO aid in en-
forcing the terms Of peace imposed on the
enemy. We have participated In the cree
ton Of new States which must be pro-
tected until they can establish stable gov
ernments, and like protection must be
extended the weaker nations OF Europe
during the period Of their reconstruction,
II they are TO survive. The fact is, all Of
the nations Of Europe engaged in war re-
quire an assured and protracted peace for
their restoration and rehabilitation. II
those things are to be done. they can only
be accomplished by continuance Of the
quintuple alliance. Now II would seem
wise II that alliance is to assume the
burden Of preserving the peace during the
reconstruction Of Europe. that as many
nations as possible should be placed under
bonds TO keep the peace. and this, as |
understand II, Is the immediate object Of
the league OF nations. II Is a non sequitur
that as there always have been wars there
always will be wars. The most sanRuine
supporter OF the league does not expect il
to prevent all international wars. II II
prevents one, the experiment will not have
been In vain.
1T is urged by the opposition that, by
Joining the league the nation will surren-
der part Of its sovereignty. But not O
letter In the Constitution can be changed
by treaty do not intend TO suggest
that this country will ever repudiate It's
treaty engagements but do say that so
long as Congress holds the purse strings
and the power to declare war, there need
be no fear Of this country being compelled
TO do what II ought not to do, treaty or no
treaty"