The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-22
LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE

There will be referendum vote in the State OF
New York the question of prohibition.
The people will register their convictions and
demands as to the retention of the present system
or their preference for other means of obtain
ing temperance and sobriety
In Pennsylvania the Republican primaries gave
a victory to man whose one appeal was his denun-
citation of Volsteadism
And from that State a Republican Senator sup
porter of the defeated socaed dry candidate, de-
clares that the time has come when referendum
on this question essential in the Nation, if We are
to protect the Government from other evils
There is no denial of the fact that prohibition
is the one big topic of conversation and discussion
There is no denial of the fact that after six years
of experience many people have changed their
views.
There are men and women who we're opposed to
the system who believe it can finally be sue
cess.
There are other men and women who we're most
ardently in favor of the law who now believe that it
is destroying the Government itself through the
breaking down of all law, through degradation of
youth through corruption of officials through loss of
respect for courts and all law.
The one basis for law is the conscience and will
of the majority
No law, no matter what its character, can be
enforced unless it has that support and background
In this State or INDIANA IL is a law not 10 give
or offer drink of liquor to another.
Not one citizen of Indiana has yet denounced
as a criminal and awbreaker a who has given
him drink
Theoretically and as a aw-biding citizen every
one who has either taken such drink or has seen
others drinking should denounce his friend, his
brother a neghbor who violates the law.
No one believes that there less than $4,000
men in the city of Indianapolis who have violated the
Wright law since it's passage-and not private cti
zen has denounced any who offered to make him
a criminal by giving him drink
That may mean nothing or it may mean great
deal 1t may that the people of this State
have reached the state of mind of Pennsylvania and
no longer believe in prohibition.
1t may mean that thinking and women Of
this State would if given opportunity, vote for
different system; not for the old saloon which
thoroughly un-Amercan, but for something different
than bootleggers, moonshine makers, runners,
hip TASKS for their boys at high school dances.
1t is possible that there are a majority who
would welcome return to local option with Govern
ment distribution.
1t is possible that the majority want things Just
they and have faith that experience and edu
cation will finally make obedience to this law as
automatic as to the law against murder and its
violation just repulsve.
That majority, matter what it thinks, has a
right to speak.
The intolerable condition of eecting officials by
the one brand of wet dry without reference to
their ideas, ideals or fitness in other matters would
then be ended.
The vicious situation which exists in politics
should be removed.
referendum on this question would settle the
matter and settle 1T so that those who believe in
Vosteadism would not have accept crooks in order
to defend their position and those who believe in
modification would not be compelled to vote for
msfts units and grafters in order register their
protest.
Let's have a referendum in Indiana and the
Nation.