The New York herald., 1920-01-24
'DROLL,'
SAYS E.I. EDWARDS
New Jersey Governor Replies
to 'Dry" Senator's
Attack.

Governor Edward J. Edwards in Jersey
City last night gave out a statement in
reply TO the letter OF United states Sem
ator Miles Poindexter published yesterday
attacking the New Jersey Governors at
titude on the prohibition question. He
said
II have read the summary Of the letter
or united states Senator PoindeXter in
reference to the attempt to have the SUI
preme Court of the United states pass
upon the legality of the so-called Eigh-
teenth Amendment
II am amazed at the vldness OF his
statements. 1t begins to look to me as
IL this prohibition propaganda was akin
to the epidemic OF st Vitus' dance in the
Middle Ages in which all those who came
anywhere near the victims of this madness
were forced against their will to so
through the most peculiar contortions
One after another some OF the leading
men of the country seem TO whirl about
in mental maze like the dervishes drunk
on their own enthusiasm.
II say this without any idea OF personal
criticism. but the aspect OF things invites
this description. Look at the matter
coolly. What is it the States who do not
want to be subjected TO the yoke OF
fanaticism are trying to do?
why. under the constitution OF the
United States and our theory of dual gov
crnment they are attempting to nave
legally established in duly constituted
courts of adequate jurisdiction whether
the Prohibition amendment is really an
amendment Of the constitution.
Writers In law magazines argue, many
of them men OF reputation in their pro-
fession, that it is not part OF the con-
stitution. Others say that. IL part of
right to interpret this amendment. Con-
tinuing, they say that that Interpretation
is the more reasonable which supports the
harmony of the constitution as a whole
rather than a construction which makes
this amendment stand out as destruction
of the harmony of the parts ana tneory
of the constitution.
"All this is done quietly, calmly. sanely
and reasonably and the Poindexter de-
mand is that such an appeal TO the law
fully constituted tribunals of the country
should be made criminal offence. In
other words. il the anti-saloon league
has by chicanery, trickery, oppression
and political manipulation forced into the
organic law of the land illegally So
called amendment to the constitution no
one thereafter should be allowed TO ques-
ton 1t except at the peril OF being called
a criminal. We are not only sold FOR
naught, but we must stay sold. surely
such maunder1nGS answer themselves.
'It cannot be that n man who is ntelli-
gent enough to be United States Senator
really believes this stuff. 1t must be for
the purpose of having communities which
are Historically dry hand over votes TO
him.
"My position is perfectly plain to the
reople OF New Jersey. They have right
to attack this amendment, and they intend
to attack it and if they can. legally destroy
it, II, however the United States Supreme
Court holds as a matter OF law 1t is a
proper amendment and properly adopted
then the people of the State OF New Jersey
have directed me TO sec it is interpreted
literally. and not interpreted so as TO
satisfy the fanatics who in their attack
upon the evils OF the liquor traffic attack
every one who is liberal minded and who
believes that personal liberty is the foun-
dation of the greatness OF this country.
"Or course, IL is unnecessary for me to
saw that l am not TO be stopped or
thwarted in my endeavor TO uphold the
dignity OF the State Of New Jersey and
the rights of my fellow men by any such
empty threats as made by this politica!
mountebank who is seeking a nomination
SO great that. compared with his record
and his personality. the attempt must seem
droll to every one except himself"