Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-18
An Un-Amerlcan Impcrtincnce

HERE seems no limit to tho imperti-
nence OF the Ant-Saloon League-no
depth of un-Americanism it will not plumb
in its efforts to dictate to the American
people, to their administration, their Con-
sress, their States and their courts Hav-
ing forced constitutional prohibition on the
country over the protest OF the majority
Dy methods which were at least question
able, 1t now purposes to set itself up as
the supreme tribunal whose DEGREES shall
he maj on Legislative and administrative
acts, without whose approval no candidate
may hope to fill office, and before which
the courts themselves shall bow in humble
obetsance II they hope to exist 1t would
mako Of the United States n servile adjunct
TO the dry bureaucracy which sits enthroned
and sends out its imperial ukases from
Westeryile, Ohio.
No other conclusion can be drawn from
reports OF the conference OF league officials
now in session at Washington, where there
Is manifest spirit of fanatcal intolerance
wholly foreign to American institutions and
freedom of thought. Henccforth, if the
views OF these officials prevail. the league
is to be the Judge over the American courts
and the Volstead act is to be the barometer
which shall register the judicial observance
of the letter and the spirit of the pro-
hibition laws. Federal judges ure insolent-
~ told that their sacred duties must be
sacredly performed" No longer must they
c0ddle bootleggers," and the league will
build fires under those who betray their
trust Such an outrageous Indictment of
The Federal courts. such trucuent tn eat
20 override the c0untry's judicial bulwarks
snch Il proposed coercion of judges sworn
faithfully To interpret the law and admin
lister its penalties. is something new in
America. II Is worse than outright con
tempt. for which those guilty should be
brought to bar. 1t is Bolshevism in It's
most insidious and dangerous guise. II
CRATES harshly on American ears, and. If the
league dares to go far as its leaders
have counseled it will merit that indigna-
ton which eventually will bring to an end
Its dictatorial sway over the lives and habits
or what once was a free people
Grant that constitutional prohibition has
not been the absolute and instant success
us most ardent proponents professed to ex-
pec1 Dia they believe even Il constitutional
amendment could change the trend OF
thought and reyolutionize the daily customs
OF more than l00.000,00O people over
night! Such belief was absurd The fact
Is The dry laws working more effcc-
lively than most OF their advocates and nil
oil their opponents expected There Is illicit
selling. OF course, and Illicit disabling on a
large scale The present generation will
haroly see the end of sporadic violations
put rapid progress has been made i'm STAMP
ing them out Certainly there ara no cnn
ditions to Justify the league charge thai
the courts are corrupt the enforcement
division willfully blind to transgrcssions.
ana al! who did not approve of the Vol
stead law in conspiracy 10 thwart it,
1t is an mopportunc time to encourage
!aw!essncss." Wayne Is. Wheeler. general
counsel Of the league, is quoten az say
ING Then the league itself should moi
encourage lhwlcssncss by attempting TO
"huetihihs Inc courts through deliberate
plan to impose its impcrious will upon them
and shake public confidence i'm ,boir
Integrity.