Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-12
Dilemma.

Senator Simeon D, Tess. chairman OF
the Republican National Committee,
looks rather darby upon the future Of
the @. o. P when considered in con-
nection With the prohibition issue. Him
self an ardent dry. Mr! Tess insists that
the Republican party must come out
seuarely Ia is platform in the presi-
Dental election year. 1881. in support
II national prohibition To do other
wise. Mr. Fees insists, would be sui
cidal In lew Of he recent campaign,
however, and y declaration Of the
Republicans in 5 re OF the most pop
Ilous States Of the Union, an out and
out stand in favor Of the continuance of
the dr. laws as they now exist might
be as neriIous for the Republican party.
Indeed, the wet Representative Fred
A. Brstten Of Illinois, and the NO less
vet former Senator James w. Wads-
worth of New York, have Immediately
replied to Mr. Fess' proposal that the
q. o p become the cry party of the
Nation, calling attention to the very
,arge number Of Republican vets. Mr..
BIstten makes demand for the prompt
retirement of Senator Fess from the
craftsmanship of the Republican party.
it appears that Mr.. Tess has started
son etfing."
IN the past the Republicans have been
able &c minimize the prohibition issue
"a their party. They have been able to
convince the voters, even those with wet
sentiments, that other issues were para
mount particularly prosperity under
continuance OF Republican rule. In
their party platforms they have declared
for strict law enforcement, which has
satisfied the drys. But during the pres
ent yeag prosperity ceased to be a rail-
lying CRY for the Republicans. The wet
ana d.y ssue, agitated more and more
by opponents Of prohibition, forced its
way Is sne fore. In Illinois, the Repib-
licar.s IT. state convention and many
OF t1eI candidates for congressional
oflcs ziso declared they would vote in
accordance With the views expressed sy
the vctess IN wet and dry referendum.
The referendum In that state has gone
Sszcrg.y against national prohibition.
New York Republicans In state ccnven-
tsen also came out for repeal True, the
Eep1bltran candidates for Governor
and Senator h these States were over
whelusngly defeated. But II they had
some out dry instead Of leaning to the
wet cause. would they have Jared any
betkerS
In Massachusetts, and Ohio, two other
states which usually are counted Re-
pu'nllcan. the dry Republican candidates
FOR Senator were defeated by large votes
~ vet Democrats. The dry Democratic
candidate FOR Governor in Ohio won in
= contest with an even more dry Re-
publican. But the dry Republican cam
Ssdate FOR Governor in Massachusetts,
si1SeFed defeat at the hands Of wet
Democrat
Senator Fess expresses the opinion
Gnat The Democratic party in 1882 viii
esponse the cause Of repeal Of the
eighteenth amendment and that the Re-
cuhEcaus VIII be forced 20 meet the
>sslle BY coming out against repeal All
sf.which brings to mind the fact that
1as Democratic party is not entirely
clss cf the woods on this prohibition
issue. There still remains the Demo-
cratic solid south, devoted to the cause
Of pgchibition in the past, to be reck-
onai with on the other side Of the
political fence However. Democratic
leaders for the most part appear, like
Mr.. Fess. to De convinced that their
party viii nominate for President 6
wet" as It dtd r. 1923. and that the
pelty VII have T. attack the present
6ry laws snd their lack OF enforcement
In It's party platform.
The situation in this country grow
Zig cut Of The failure to suppress the
bootleg eraHc IN liquor has convinced
Fnany persons strongly opposed to the
Oh ss1pen anG the domination of poll
les. IN msay pisces, by the liquor
traHlc, that there must e>sonle change.
s remains 70 be seen whether within
the next two years some plan for the
sRt5gr control cl ti.p liquor traffic car
ae 7s0Fxed out, II such plan is de-
. viseG and Is acceptable 70 a great
lnai3sssy 81 tha yctevg. Inc liquor issue
wel fsoe as campaign material. II ne
ss1ea star can be deyaloped, the issue
OF naaonal pgobIsiaon, as it is, vii
ID forced into the national campaign
81 1882 even more strongly than 1t i1a1
axisgea in the campaign Just closed.