Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-06-08
UPHOLDS VALIDITY
Of PROHIBITION
Sweeping Decision Of SUI
preme Court Ends All
Contention
NOW BONE DRY NATION
Decision Set Forth in Eleven Con-
illusions Covering Seven Separate
Proceedings.

Washington, June Sin a sweeping
decision covering both the Eighteenth
Amendment and the Volstead Enfore-
ment act the United States Supreme
Court yesterday declared both Of
these legislative enactments consti-
tutional.
That Congress did not transcend
the powers of the State in passing
the Volstead act and prohibiting the
sale of liquor containing more than
one-half of l per cent. is the decision
Of the highest tribunal.
The decision of the court was read
by Justice Vandevanter and consti-
tuted clean-cut victory for national
prohibition. In no particular did the,
Supreme Court uphold any contention
Of the vets in the several suits
Drought either by objecting States or
liquor and brewery interests.
1.-The adoption by both houses Of
Congress eaeh by a two-thirds vote,
of a joint resolution proposing an
amendment to Constitution sufticl-
entity shows that the proposal was
deemed necessary by all who voted
for it. An express declaration thai
rhey regarded it as necessary is not
essential. None OF the resolutions
whereby prior amendments were pro-
posed contained such a declaration.
2-The two-thirds vote in each
house which is required in proposing
an amendment, is vote OF two-Ihirds
Of the members present, assuming the
presence of quorum, and not vote
of two-thirds of the entire member
ship, present and absent.
1.-The referendum provisions of
State constitutions and statutes can
not be applied consistently with the
Constitution of the United States in
The ratification or rejection CT amend
ments to it.
1.-The prohibition of the manufac-
ture, sale, transportation, importa-
ton and expectation of Intoxicating
liquors for beverage purposes, as en-
bodied in the Eighteenth Amend
ment. is within the power 10 amen.
deserved by Article Of the Constitu-
0ion.
5-That amendment by lawful pro-
oosal and ratification has became q
part Of the Constitution and must be
respected and given effect the same
as other provisions of that instrument.
6-The first section of the amend
ment-the one emhodying the prohl-
oitior-is operative throughout the
entire territorial limits of the United
States, binds all active bodies, courts,
public officers and individuals within
those limits and of its own force m
validates every Legislative act
whether by Congress, by State Leg
stature or by territorial assembly
which authorizes or sanctions
what the section prohibits.
THE second section of The
amendment-the one declaring "the
Congress and the several States shall!
nave concurrent power to enforce this
article by appropriate legislation
does not enable Congress or the sew
eral States to defeat or thwart pro-
nibition. but only to enforce it by ap-
propriate means
S-The words concurrent power
in that section do not mean joint pow
or or require that legislation there
under by Congress. to be effective
shall be approved or sanctioned by the
several States, or any of them; nor
do they mean that the power TO en-.
force is divided between Congress ant
The several States along the lines
which separate or distinguish foreiga
and Interstate commerce from intra.
state affairs
9-The power confided to Congress
by that section. while not exclusive, i:
territorially co-extensive with the pro
Continual on Pamn Twnl