The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-09-22
WILL GOVERNOR cox ANSWER

~ ovERNoR COX, the democratic nominee for president, will
a sneak in Albuquerque tomorrow night. II is q great honor for
- any American community to be permitted to entertain the can
didate Of one Of the nations great political parties for the presidency.
Those who uphold Mr.. Cox in his pledge TO support the Wilson league
Of nations will no doubt receive the candidate with great enthusiasm
All others will receive and hear him with respect. But the absence
Of any desire to cmbarrass or heckle the candidate will not indicate
lack of desire among voters for definite statements from the demo
cratic candidate ON several vital national issues upon which he has
not yet given the people a definite pledge.
One Of these issues is the enforcement Of national prohibition.
Governor Cox has said that he is for law enforcement. That is ae-
copied IS a matter of course. lie has said that prohibition is 'as
dead as slavery. = and tina, is aceepted,-with reservations.
The question upon which We believe the voters of New Mexico
would welcome a definite answer from Governor Cox tomorrow, is
this:
"In event of your election, and should an act of con-
gress be submitted to you modifying the provisions Of the
Vostead act, or increasing the alcoholic content OF bever-
ages, would You veto or approve such a lawf"
Governor Cox comes here TO seek the support of New Mexico
voters. II is fair that he should answer this question definitely; II
is proper that the voters should expect a definite answer from nm
because this is a prohibition state. Before national prohibition was
achieved this state gave better than $1,000 majority in favor of abso-
lutte statewide prohibition. The state platform OF the democratic
party contains an absolute and uncquivocal approval OF the Nolstead
enforcement law as ii now stands. So does the republican state plat
form. Thus thereis no party issue in New Mexico upon this question
Of modification Of the V0lstead act but there is a national question
concerning Governor Cox stand upon the vostead law and in con-
sidering him for president the people of this state are entitled to o
definite statement from the democratic candidate. They are entitled
TO it for this reason:
The forces in the democratic convention which were most inau.
entail in securing the nomination Of Governor Cox were wet
forces; those forces which stand unequivocany for modification of the
voltead' act as a first step toward the breaking down Of national
prohibition. His nomination was hailed by I'VE" forces through
out the nation as a victory for their cause; while William j. Bryan,
the champion of prohibition, before the San Francisco convention,
publicly acknowledged the nomination of Mr.. Cox as a defeat for his
cause.
In the hearings of the senate committee on campaign expendi-
lures letters have been introduced in evidence and are part Of the
record in which organized liquor dealers sought campaign funds to
mid IN electing Governor Cox and hailed his nomination as a victory
for the "wcts.i'
These things do not furnish final proof Of Governor Cox's posi-
ton. They do raise, fairly, a question as to his position, which
should be answered. lie has faced this question throughout his en-
tire western tour, and mp TO this time he has not answered IT,
Will he answer IL heref