The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-03-30
4 Suber-G Government

rvorv candidate for Congress in Indiana will re-
coiva shortly. if he has not already done so, an in
vitation to barter his own judgment for votes.
The head of the Anti-Saloon League in this state
proposes to find out, and quite properly just "nere
every candidate stands on the question of prohibition
He has. that right, as has every otner cltlzeh'
Presumably he is acting for large numbers Oh otherS
ubo ma wish the same sort of information.
It is true that very recently the attorney general
of the State disclosed the fact that the organization
has in it very little of democratic spirit; SO little IN
fact. that it's own large body of trustees is ignorant
of the announcements made by its head until they
read them in print.
Rut there is a wide difference between asking Tor
pertinent information as to principles and demanding
a definite pledge in advance that the judgment OF d
CONGRESSMAN will be put into pawn with the man
who asks the question.
This is exactly what is demanded when the head
Of that organization demands a yes OF NO answer ~
this question:
"In the event that you favor any and all reason
able LEGISLATION for strengthening the eighteenth
amendment, will you favor such measure or measures
for the strengthening of the prohibition laws as snail
ho advocated nv the dry forces of the United States,
that is, by such organizations as the Antl-Saloon
League and the Woman's Temperance Union?'
Here is a new note in government, and a most
dangerous one.
- [ is, / course, " imam GIL OSoNO ~
that this league, whose own trustees have refused
TO assume responsibility for its acts, contains the
only men and women who want sobriety or who have
anv thoughts or opinions as to the best means OF
obtaining it.
It REQUIRES some presumption for any man or
small group of men to assert that they have all the
wisdom, Intelligence, patriotism or sincerity on any
matter.
1t means that any candidate who takes this
nIedge as q means of gaining favor Of the league
must surrender his judgment, his discretion his con-
science and his oath of office into the keeping of
those who demand it.
Here is erected, if a majority of Congressman
sign this pledge, a supergovernment.
Just what a poor Congressman would do, should
there come a time when the two groups mentioned,
equally sincere, disagree on methods of accomplish
ing a common purpose, is difficult to imagine.
It is quite conceivable that there are other or
CARNATIONS, also dry in their purposes, which might
have some suggestions with more promise of results.
He would be bound to fight them as bitterly as he
would be expected to oppose an appeal of an avowed
wet.
Our theory of representative government be-
comes worse than a farce when any considerable
number Of legislators are bound in advance to sign
on the dotted line for principles or policies not yet
formulated.
In view of the recent exposures of the methods
of the league in this State, Congressman who may
be tempted to embark on this new adventure in poll
tics might, in all wisdom, demand that they be pro-
tected to at least the extent of first submitting any
measures to the trustees of that organization.
But would such a demand be construed as wet
and unpatriotic?