Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-06-29

congcnial champion In DIR. Joseph /.
France OF Cecil county. the Repuhli-
cnn candidate for United States Semi
tor. and they worked with such yigor
snd success that he WAS elected at
the same election that gave Demo-
cratic majority of n few more than
10000 for President Wilson.
II i~ plainly apparent that had
the Anti-seloon League of Maryland
displayed tho courage of It's profess
sions at this election. Congressman
Lewis. the friend Of prohibition. would
not have. been slaughtered by tho
whisky interests. with party ma
iority of twenty thousand behind
him. The liquor advocates made no
secret of their campaign against Mr.
Lewis. the friend Of prohibition. hut
the forces Of prohibition never raised
a hand or. apparently, gave vote
to sustain him. lie was a Democtat
and that seemed TO bar him from pro-
hihition sympathy or support.
Last year the Republican candidate
for United states Senator in Maryland
was oviugton r. Weller, who made
an open bid for the support uf the
liquor interests by printed pledges
10 support amendments 10 the Nol-
stead law that would allow the manu-
facture and sale of wines and beer
containing a liberal alcoholic CON
tent. Here was direct challenge
to the friends of prohibition, espe-
cially 10 the Anti-Saloon League. but
so far as public knowledge goes. they
paid no attention tn Il. True, Weller
received about As 600 votes less than
the number given to Mr. Harding for
President. but Senator John Walter
smith. Democrat. who was candidate
wv IF-fitttttits IttHiNth abhuA i@sNpN
less than were cast for Governor Cox
senator smith had supported the dry
legislation in Congress. and that
marked him for the bitter opposition
" the liquor interests. II is evident,
however. that had the friends OF pro-
hibition supported him vigorously. he
could easily have been reelected.
II will be seen. therefore, that the
political activities of the Anti-Saloon
League Of Maryland will not be ex-
crted IN favor Of Democrats. even
when they are opposed by openly wet
/ Republicans. Here in Wilmington
during our recent city election cam
I,aign the Anti Saloon League made
open opposition tc Thomas r. Rayard
Democratic candidate for mayor. on
the ground of his connection with an
organization formed for the purpose
* working for the repeal. in law
ful manner. % the Prohibition
Amendment 10 the Constitution Of the
United States. but without making the
slightest effort to force his Republican
opponent 70 make public his views
IN this matter.
Il il diflcuit t. reconcile this at
titude ~ the Anti-Saloon Inague ol
Maryland. which on the surface az
rears to ne one Or hostility tc Demo
Gratis for ofice--or at least OF indif-
ference even when they are advo-
Gates of prohibition--and its refusal
q work against wet Republicans. as
was the case with respect to the cam.
paigns OF Senator's France and Wei
icr, and also Of Representative HM
who last fan carried the Third Con
! gress district of MARYLAND. hitherto >
Democratic stronghold. Certainly il
appears that the active prohibition
elements of Maryland are content T.
inin with the partisan Republicans OF
The state in proudly prociaiming
our tive whisky Senators. both Re
publican"