Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-01-20
PROVE THE GOVERNOR IS RIGHT

The statement issued by the Anti-Saloon League regarding
the scenes at the Inauguration of Governor Silzer only tends to
bear out what the governor said in his inaugural address about
prohibition. While the league attempts to discredit the governor,
it presents the very evidence needed to prove that the govrnor is
right in his conclusions.
"Our people are against the kind of prohibition we have to-
day, y the governor said. Then HE goes on to tell what has follow
ed in the wake of the prohibition laws. The statement of the
Anti-Saloon League is an admission that what the governor says is
so.
The leagues statement says that prior to the Inauguration in
spectors of the league were in Trenton and found the place wide
open" 1t says that these inspectors were able to buy booze in
thirtynine saloons; that on the day of the Inauguration boot
leggers with satchels of booze were openly selling the stuff on the
streets; that innumerable people carried TASKS on their hips and
that drunkenness was everywhere.
1t was not necessary for the Anti-Saloon League to issue a
statement telling us all about this. The facts were known to
everyone. Even if one went about Trenton with ones eyes shut
one would know the stuff was all about because one could smell it.
10 was one grand orgy that was a disgrace to the state.
But what's to be done about it9 Tt will do no good to issue
statements and hold conventions denouncing such a condition.
Investigators do nothing but prove what is already known. Here
and there raids take place and proprietors are arrested and fined,
but the wetness does not dry up. Inauguration day at Trenton
would indicate that conditions are worse, if anything. The rum
fleet off the coast is so big that it forms a menace to navigation.
What is to be done about it?
Enforce the lawf 7
To be sure, but how and by whom?
This is a democracy, a government of, by and for the people
The government, therefore, cannot rise higher than the people
who make it. If we elect officials and they do not see that the law
IL enforced. the only remedy is to GUST them and put IN officials
who will enforce it. But if it is impossible to elect the men who
win do the enforcing, what's the answer?
We can talk about arousIng the people to the danger Oh the
situation, but if the people refuse to be aroused tn0n' mueeo' II
something radically wrong.
You can lead horse to water, but you cannot make him drink
when the law is violated so fagrantly as was so evident at the
state capital last Tuesday and nothing done to prevent II, "nat
the answers The prohibition enforcement officers must nave been
i the scene, why did they not make arrests? The police sa"
drinking on all sides, why did they not make arrestsf The Anti
saloon League inspectors must have been on hand, why did they
not call upon the authorities to do their dutyf
AS a matter of fact, it all goes to prove that enforcement un
Ar Existing conditions cannot be done. The people cannot elect
officials who will enforce it. To Gust the officials means other Oft
eiaIs Of the same mind. What's the answer?
Governor Silzer is right in his summing up of the situation
The statement Of the AassssslaeR Lsasgs gneyss II Is