Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-03-16
MARCH I6. 1920
BIQyoRs HOPE IN PoLrTCs.

Beaten at every turn in the eff
fort to legally reinstate liquor traf-
fic, interests are now turning their
attention toward inveigling the
national democratic organization
into an alliance. Perhaps it was
the danger of such an arrange
ment that had most to do with
bringing William j. Bryan back
into activity. He is the implaca-
BILE foe of liquor and appeals to
the people to prevent relaxation of
prohibition.
But there are politicians who
will make any sort of a trade with
any interest that can supply funds
and mass voters in support of n
party, such may be found in any
political organization. They are in
the minority, but sometimes can
deceive and sell out followers. 1t
is hardly conceivable that the DEM
ocratic leaders will be bold enough
to comply with the wishes of the
liquor interests and bargain to put
an entering wedge into the nation
al arrangement for suppression Of
the traffic. That such a program
is being promulgated is now clear.
1t is planned to lend united sup
port to elect congressman enough
to pass an act increasing the per-
centage of alcohol sufficiently to
enable the interests to do business.
They would contribute toward the
campaign expenses of either repub-
Leans or democrats who would
consent in advance to the modifica-
ton of the act which places the
alcohol percentage at its present
low point. First of all however,
the plotters hope to secure adop-
ton of a plank in the democratic
national platform for modification
of the present prohihitiVe policy.
Every effort would then be made
to cause nomination of congress-
men friendly to such relaxation,
and where republican strength
could not be overcome by a demo-
cratic victory there would be effort
to nominate and elect q republican
under obligation to the liquor men.
Some prominent democratic
friends of liquor interests have
worked out on paper list of states
which it is considered could be
carried in the presidential contest
by or despite a national deelara-
ton for permitting sales of liquor
with a gratifying alcoholic content
Starting with the solid south they
count 175 electoral votes which
would not be endangered because
the southern voters will stand
hitched to the democratic wagon.
The south is strong for prohibition.
Most of the southern states had it
under state laws and congressman
from the south voted for national
prohibition measures. But the
southerners still are a solid bunch
against any republican ticket. The
negro problem will be counted
upon to hold those states. They
would rather permit the rest of
the country to handle liquors in a
liberal way than to abandon solid
front on the political race attitude,
especially as the states, mostly,
have brought reasonably effective
suppression of liquor evils.
AS for Missouri, Maryland and
Kentucky, which have shown a
tendency to become republican, the
democratic strategists say the liq-
mor question would surely keep
them democratic.
1t is in the states of Massachu-
sets. New York, New Jersey and
Ohio that liquor men and their
political agents have the most hope
Of turning the scale by a demo-
cratic concession. These states
have 101 electoral votes, which
added to the southern number
would supply 2T6-ten more than
enough TO choose the president.
Such successful coup would carry
in an executive pledged by a liberal
platform that congressman also
might be committed to follow.
But even if all of this big four
of states did not swallow the pro-
gram, there are scattering states
with SIS votes, especially Califor-
mia, which are considered as likely
to go democratic because Of or re-
CARELESS of prohibition or anti
prohibition legislation and policies.
The whole plan may be but a
dream a rainbow promise. In any
event it is said that none but an
open enemy of prohibition could
be used as a presidential nominee
upon a lenient platform. Shut out
would be Hoover, who is an advo-
cate of prohibition. Also Palmer,
who is against the liquor traffic.
bryan is not eligible and will raise
a rough house if the plan comes
up in the San Francisco conven-
ton.
But if the planners put through
any such scheme there will he
found some one ready to carry the
banner-say the governor of New
Jersey, or that self-sacrificing
William Randolph Hearst He has
in season and out worked for wine
and beer traffic. Seeking to sacri-
flee the whisky business, that
brewers might be able to compro-
mise and preserve their interests
and that California wine industry
might slip TO the front in lieu of
the distilled Juice of the corn and
rye, Hearst has gone the limit.