The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-10-17

| tlng HquOf as containing One-hdll
OF one percent alcohol, and ther
proceeds to atfiX penalties for VIC
lation. Now, what do those pro
pose who pretend to favor the
Constitution, but are hostile to the
Nolstead Act? They would nullify
, the Constitution by lodging the
plain meaning of the provision
Intoxicating liquor is matter
not of theory, but of experience
l. is claimed that beer and light
wines should be exempt, More
over, as shown by experience, to
open the door to those, is to open
it wide for all kinds of liquor.
Some say: 81 object to this leg
islation because it is something
that was put over on the people
by cunning, when our soldiers were
overseas. "This is not true, but
if it was it would not be compli-
mentary to the American voter.
Nothing was done in a corner as
lite history Will recall In 1917
before a soldier had been sent to
France, and before war between
Us and Germany had begun, 81
per cent, of the entire country in
al ca and 60 per cent, of the pop
ulation were under prohibitory
laws. Forty-five states ratified the
18th Amendment, with one hun
bred million people. Three states
did not ratify, with five millions.
No amendment was ever ratified
with such majorities. Previous 70
this, u states were dry by their
own act, only nine short of the
necessary three-fourths. Moreover,
in many states where the matter
has been tested since, the senti-
ment in favor has increased, rather
than diminished. In Michigan in
1916, dry by $4,000; in 1919, by
100000. In Washington, in 1914,
dry by 1900; in 1916, by 10000.
Then, some demand a popular
vote. If necessary, prohibitory
forces are perfectly ready for the
test Yet, this amendment has
followed the prescribed course, the
same as the preceding II amend !
nents.
Still another objection is that it
i 4 matter for state option But
the Supreme court and all legal
have determined that it
is within the scope of the national
and it has shown that
state prohibition is ineffective be
cause of the shipping in of liquor
from other states. Then, they say,
it cannot be enforced. Why not
argue the same concerning any
other law; as robbery, smuggling
opium and the like? To give up
A law on such ground is weakly to
Yield the function of governments;
7 is an acknowledged breakdown
Of democracy. 1t can be enforced;
and is being enforced over a large
proportion of the United States.
A well-known judge states that
whatever violations there may be,
he liquor consumed today is not a
-himble full to a hogshead of what
was before this law. The figures
Of savings banks deposits since
despite hard times re-
emily, are eloquent. In the Judge
uent Of many, the suffering the
1ast two years would have been
immensely worse had it not been
'or the savings made possible by
The reports of all
social workers in the cities as to
conditions in homes where prey
ously wretched poverty due to
rink prevailed are to the same eff
'ect.
Some individuals from limited OBJ
report an increase in
as was recently reported
rom Bandmaster Sousa, who stat
I'd that drinking among women
was increasing. In answer, W. f.
Spaulding of Massachusetts, gives
'ew figures. In 1900, in Massachu-
;etts, 5000 women were arrested
or drunkenness or 492 in every
100000 In 1920, under prohibition
out id per 100000 In other
words arrests fell off under pro-
81 per cent. Can anyone
estimate what this means for good
ZONES; for healthy children?
We have some trouble from
-anada, but Canada is being arous-
I'd as to its responsibility in this
Evil, and is passing restricting leg
slaton. Moreover, three-fourths
IF Canada is already under prohib-
ton, and a strong movement is on
here to make it all so.
1t was to be expected that the
enforcement of a law of such far
'eaching significance, and affecting
he appetites and pocketbooks of
80 many would not be easy to en-
'orce would take time to become
-cally effective. The United States
mas challenged the world in this
great movement, and other nations
are studying US. If we 90 back
now, we set back the world i'm the
control Of this agc-long curse.
Every man has the perfect right
70 discuss, agitatc, and work
within the law" for the modifica-
ION or change of any legislation to
which for any reason he objects.
But the moment he actively defies
he law or buys lawless liquor he
puts himself beside the criminal
and takes his place as an enemy
ol constitutional government, as
definitely as any red-handed an