Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-04-02
"DRYS" IN FIGHT
SINCE Year 1868
Growth OF Prohibition Can Be
Traced More Than
Century.
ADVANCE HAS BEEN STEADY
Moderation Was First Sought, and Not
Until 1847 Did Demand for Adolf.
ton Of Strong Liquor Make
Itself Heard.

Chicago.-Prohibition sentiment, cul-
minating In the experimenting amend
ment to the federal Constitution, has
been growing steadily in this country
since 1905. according 10 records com
piled by the board Of temperance of
the Methodist Episcopal church. At
that time Il demand for moderation in
the use of ardent spirits arose, fol-
lowed ten years later by an even
broader movement for abstinence from
ardent spirits and for moderation in
the use of malt liquors. This in turn
gave way In 1910 10 sentiment for alb
stinence from all alcoholic beverages.
Agitation for abolition of the prac-
tlce OF licensing the sale Of liquors
did not come until lS41, resulting four
years later in the enactment of pro
hibitiOn laws in Maine, the first state
to put prohibition into effect. Kansas
was second, In 1850. and North Ia
kota third in 1859. Meanwhile the
movement had grown 10 such proper
tons that the national Prohibition party
u
In 1869.
Women, always in the forefront Of
the activity to stop the sale of alco-
hole drinks, organized for Il concert
ed fight after the famous Womnu's cru
SADIE, 1s73-74. Their association was
later to become known throughout the
world by the name of Wumau'S Chris
tian Temperance union,
Anti-SaIoon League in 1893.
Another powerful influence in the
ence IN 1893 in the formation of the
Anti Saloon league. II IS noteworthy
that both these organizations had their
inception in Ohio.
The modern wave Of prohibition
legislation began with Georgia in 1907
Since that time, the movement gained
strength more rapidly than any other
reform in the history Of the world so
that 81 states already have prohibition
by state action, In II adopted by pop
nlar vote and in the others by lcgiSln-
tive measures. At the time the con
stltutiOnal amendment was submitted
"a of the 4S states and considerably
more tran half Of the territorial Unit
ed States had prohibition. In states
where prohibition was not statewide
II has been adopted under local option
laws by many communities.
In addition to state laws, there have
been In effect stringent measures
adopted by congress as aids toward
winning the war. which gave Il ire
,1endouS impetus to the prohibition
movement. Studying the examples Of
foreign countries, law was passed
making 1t unlawful to provide any
man In uniform with alcoholic hcyer-
ages Making of beer and whisky was
stopped under the food control act and
the sale of drinks was terminated at
midnight last June 30. shipment of
liquor into any states was prohibited
by the bonedry law.
Notifications Took 10 Months.
The constitutional amendment was
finally adopted by congress on pocem-
Der 10, 1917, with n restrictive clause. |
hitherto unknown in legislative pro-
cedure, that ii would be imperative |
unless ratified within seven wears The !
vote in the house was PSI to lbs AMI |
In the senate 90 to 20 Tho ratification
required only 13 months, the thirty |
sixth state taking favorable action |
January rs, 1919. Frank |. Polk act |
Ing secretary of state, proclaimed the +.
amendment as part of the Constitution |
under date of JaSuary %. 1919. but |
1t went into effect one year from the /
date OF ratification by the thirty-SiXth |
state,
After that date nine states voted for |
ratification. making A. in ALL Rhode |
Island, Connecticut and New Jersey
were the only exceptions.