Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-05-24
Prohibition Not a
Failure

DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler,
college politician, head of Co
lumbia University, is demand
ing the repeal of the 18th
Amendment to the Constitution
of the United States and the
Volstead Act.
He says prohibition does not
prohibit, that it is a failure and
so forth and soon. His pro-
nouncement has turned loose
the forces of both sides, and
they are, from one end of the
country to the other gnashing at
each others heels.
In our humble opinion, DR..
Butler is an educator who needs
TO be educated. He knows lit
tie of his subject. One can't
judge prohibition by what one
sees near New York or any 9th
er coast clyde it Savannah,
Miami, New York or Boston.
We would invite DR.. Butler
TO take a look into the iails of
the inland counties of the coun-
try. Come South, Doctor, and
look over the records of the ru-
raj counties and the smaller
cities.
Where, in liquor days, one
found the jails filled to ca
pacity, they now are empty.
The court records show that the
major crimes are scarce today.
When booze was to be had at
every corner murder, arson,
rape and burglary occupied
most of the time of the courts
and grand juries.
DR.. Butler should get outside
of Gotham if he would know
the real good that prohibition
has brought to this country
The trouble with Doc Butler
and Others subscribing to his
view is, that they cannot under
stand why there should not be
universal abstinence.
Such is not possible. We
have murder, but we do not
plead for a repeal of the laws
Furnishing that crime. Stealing
and rape still exist, notwith-
standing the rigid laws dealing
with those found guilty.
Most of those who agree with
the New York politician and
university head cites as one of
their reasons the prevalence to-
day of drunkenness among the
youth of the country. They
point to the young boys and
girls-yes, even the young girls.
No doubt there is more
drunkenness among these than
ever before, but no more than
there would be if we had open
saloons.
Turned loose after sundown,'
with an automobile and the
open road, whisky is just an in
cident. Had autos been as uni
versally used ten years ago,
there would have been as much
drinking by the young as there
is today.
Don't blame the auto, nor
prhoibition. If you would find
the cause. talk to the parents of
these children.
Whisky is not easy to get.
1t is scarce and it is Highland
DANGEROUS.
But DR.. Butler is not without
resources. Here's what he said
in an interview this week in the
New York Times:
I inquired of DR.. Butler why
he, alone among academic presi-
dents of his high standing and
large responsibilities, advocates
the repeal bf1 lprohihitton. He
smiled and answered.:
Have you ever listened to
college presidents talking about
prohibition in private?"
We challenge that insinuatior
on the part of the doctor, if i
applies to the president o.
Southern educational institu'
lions. We do not believe
that one in fifty will agree
even IN PRIV A T E,
with DR.. Butler. We DO be-
lieve that each would demand a
more strict enforcement of the
prohibition laws.
There is failure and that
failure lies at the door, of the
National IGovernnleHe. & Under
lhe- Republican regime PTohlnl=