The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-02-01
PROHIBITION REPEAL

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PROHIBITION REPEAL
The senate of the Nevada legislature has voted to
repeal the prohibition law and if the assembly
does likewise, which it probably WILL and the governor
signs the repeating BILL which he likewise probably WILL
Nevada will be left without prohibition law. As most
city little Vostead" laws based the state laws
and contain clauses that will make them nopperave in
event of the repeal of the Nevada prohibition statute
it very probable that the entire state will be thrown
back into the column that insists that prohibition is
federal matter be enforced at federal expense. Of
there has been talk of enactng substitute
that will conform the federal law, but if
correct such BILL if introduced, will be
ried away the pocket of legislative committee
So, however wrong may be in the idea,
going ahead the assumption that when the smoke
blows away Nevada will find herself without prohibi-
ton law of any sort. If such is the the matter
of prohibition enforcement will be entirely up to the
federal government.
There have been written concerning prohibit
ton, and today most newspapers carrying a
pusage Of news and editorial expression the sub
ject. This with all other cases. that some
thing is going be worked of the prohibition
Expressions many and varied and show that there
is great division of opinion with the possibility that
would be hard to majority of people who be-
lieve alike in the matter. For instance want
LOOMS want government sale of liquors. want
general sale without saloons and want absolute
bonedry prohibition. Out of it all the legislators
draw their conclusions and vote accordingly, with
of majority of the people, let alone all of them.
It's another of where they're cussed if they do
and cussed if they don't.
Most expressed opinions prohibition based
prejudice, either for against, upon appetite for
strong drink and for that it is seldom that the
subject covered in most of its essential phases There
is also strong disposition the part of everyone
to abuse another person who may not believe they
do in the matter forgetting that is entitled
maintain their opinions in this as well as with
other matters of public policy.
So getting down to the viewpoint of the legislator
find that he realizes that he is envokng the wrath
of considerable number of people regardless of how
he prohibition He is also conversapt
with the fact that it prohibition that dividing
cities and towns getting down to the point where there
generally two opposing factions prohbtionists and
in favor of law enforcement
and those who favor winking at infractons. What
then? situation created that demands remedying
To enforce state prohibition requires the expenditure of
huge sums of money, and then, it has been proven,
juries unwilling to convict in the face of in
dsputable evidence Would it not, then in of the
retrenchment policy greatly demanded be wise to-
do with state prohibition altogether thus passing
the buck to federal authorities? Would such action
also eliminate a great deal of civic friction? The
answer is almost certain to be in the affirmative.
So that's just about what is going happen in
Nevada The next thought is of what the result will
be- Prohibition, it stands, is not being en-
forced in any city town in the state of Nevada that
we know Of and for that it is not being en-
forced anywhere in the United States 1t be en-
forced, but only with solid public demand for such
enforcement, which doesn't exist today. Local peace
officers in all cities refuse enforce the law because
very often their best and lifelong friends afou of
the law in respect Also, if they drastic in
enforcing the law their chances for reelection
slim. So matters cannot BECOME worse
The easiest way out for the legislator which is
generally the path chosen, is to repeal the law pass
the matter to the federal agencies relieve hatreds
home born Of the prohibition matter and the
counties and cities that appears be useless
at least until such time that sodied public sentiment
demands otherwise.
Probably, with many other people, the legislators
sick and tired of the whole prohibition matter and
though this attitude may be wrong, giving way it
does to tn forces of evil it natural Perhaps
just well, If a law cannot be devised that will in
sure prohibition to do away with the state law alto
gether. We certain, at least that it will result in
greater of mind for most people in public life, in
GLIDING the typewriter humping editors who take their
work seriously and endeavor to be conscientious.
Until the people willing to demand prohibition,
vote for it, insist that be complete and back up their
servants who would do their bidding, can have no
objection to the repeal AS have always contended
must be enforced repealed. Halfway means are
futile.