The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-02-14
Dry Lac Enforcement Branded
M1bossiHHty by G. A. r. Chiefs

A MEXICAN prohibition laws In
L n 1890 have reached a state
similar to that of the fugitive
slave law In 1860. They better
would be repealed or modified, as
they never can be enforced.
That is how Charles E. Hale,
Logansport. Indiana state COM
mander. and Adjutant A. B..
CHAMPION, headquarters at the
statehouse expressed themselves
today regarding the state of the
nation under the Eighteenth
Amendment and Volsteadism.
Members of the Grand army"
Hale fastened to add, "are always
In favor of enforcing the laws and
obeying the constitution. We
are veterans of a bloody war to
save that constitution and the
union and we are anxious to see
that it isn't destroyed from either
within or without.
But when law is unenforce-
able, 1t is unworthy to be on the
statute books and should be re-
pealed."
Adjutant Champion thinks
prohibition is SILLY" and is not
afraid to say so. He is 81 and
Hale 80, but Champions views
match many of those held by
Americans less than half his age.
Much of this prohibition bust
ness was supposed to be religious
and based on Christianity and the
Bible" Champion chortled why
I guess those real dry folks never
read the Bible. In all editions I
ever saw they are making and
drinking wine every few pages In
the old testament.
You know the Bible also speaks
about the second coming of
Christ. Why if He came to Indi-
ana today and performed the
miracle Of changing water into
vine he could be held under the
Wright bone-dry law"
THEN there was that matter OF
l. General Grant and his
whisky to be recalled. President
Lincoln wrote an ardent prohibi-
ton lady. of the day, who had
complained about Grants drink
ing. that he would like to know
just what brand Grant used so
he could give some to the other
generals.
TITS an historical fact" Hale
declared, that when General
Grant was put in command of
the Union forces the enemy began
to lose. It takes great general
ship to settle great issues and it
is courageous leadership that is
lacking today.
st would be a great thing if the
billions being spent in trying to
enforce this law could be used
wisely on public Improvements
and thus aid in solving the un-
employment problem by provid-
ing honest work for idle labor"
Hale is a hearty fellow and
still pleads cases in the courts. He
is interested in the legal philoso-
ply behind the scenes.
There lies great danger in per-
hitting too much sentiment to
control public affairs and public
men," he asserted. 1T is gener-
ally admitted by intelligent men
that an enactment by the legis-
lature, that can not be enforced,
is not really law. It Is only
a rule of action prescribed by
elected representatives,
XXTHEN this occurs, the states
w men of the country should
use their wisdom in determining
what is to be done for the good
of society.
1--WE have numerous historical
examples in our country where
laws passed were refused obedi-
ence by the people. Our fore
fathers would not pay the Eng
lish tax and threw the tea over
board. The fugitive slave law
not only was not enforced in the
north, but absolutely defled with
underground railways to help the
slaves escape and hide them from