Evening star., 1931-04-24

ming Bulletin, especially because he re-
fused to let himself be Swerved from
the line of his clear duty by the fact
that he would have been able to cover
his signature of the bill by the refer
endum favoring repeal. Such a referen-
dunn is not necessarily conclusive test
OF popular sentiment. But If it were, no
such mandate can justify Governor or
legislator favoring a clearly unsound
and unwise course against his convic-
ton OF its clash with his and his States
duty to respect the fundamental law
|. OF the land as written in the Federal
Constitution"
There is sharp criticism Of the Cover
nor in the comment of the New York
Evening Post, which states as to his
record: THE State has gone wet in
several referenda. In its last vote it
declared explicitly not only for repeal
OF the eighteenth amendment and the
Volstead act, but also for the repeal of
the Illinois prohibition act. The Re-
publican platform upon which Emmer-
son was elected also bound all candi-
dates to abide by the result Of the ref.
erenda. The General Assembly did 50.
Repeal Of the State dry laws passed
the formerly dry Senate by a vote of
26 to "a and the House by 81 to 56.
Then Gov Emmerson. pledged to fol-
low the mandate of the people, disre-
CARDS it and vetoes the repeal bills.
Was there ever such a mockery of rep
reSentatiye government"
The Governor takes refuge" argues
the st. Louis PoSt-DiSpatch, "in that
Weather-Worn sanctuary, I am not for
notification Again let it be said has
individual choice in the premises is
neither relevant nor competent. II
nullificaticn is the word, it is the peo-
pie OF Illinois that have pronounced it.
Yet this Governor who ShudderS at
nulliflcation by the people does not
himself hesitate to nullify the refer
endum or to nullify the action of the
Legislature in carrying out the man
date of the people"
We are inclined to believe" says the
st. Louis Times, that history would
write his name in large characters
had he followed the mandate of the
people. His contention that the alb
sence OF State liquor law would make
1t impossible to secure arrest and con-
V1ctlon OF persons selling intoxicantS to
minors is solemn If not sound. We de-
cline to believe that the Illinois statutes
are so poor that there is none to cover
a case like this. Certainly there have
been instances of this type of offense
against society that have not been
punished under whatever laws the State
has had"
"A sort Of foolish bravery" is the
estimate of the Hartford Courant. with
the charge that "he has enabled the
minority of prohibitionists in Illinois to
be more effective than the majority of
the voters" The Milwaukee Sentinel
AYERS that "his arguments are uncon-
vincing." The Fort Wayne News-Sen-
tinel calls his reasoning weird" and
feels that he "has simply presumed to
be greater than the sovereign people
who gave him authority" The Goshen
News Times sees inconsistency in his
statement that '1f the measure had
contained provision for a referendum
ne would have signed it." The Yakima
Daily Republican condemns rule by
fanatical and vengeful minority"
In support of the opponents Of the
measure, the Hartford Daily Times as
sertS that 'the bill represents a policy
which If made general would have the
erect OF destroying constitutional gov
ernment in the United States" The
Kanses City Star says It would have
placed the State in a position of in
viting bootleggerS and the whole under
world fraternity to proceed without let
or hindrance. from State authority. in
a traffic that the National Government
clearly had outlawed" The Admission
(Ala.) Star concludes: 'It would seem
that the Governor did the thing most
likely to break down his own political
career, If not the party. He chose the
unpopular side. For doing that in the
face of the opposition that was en-
countered he must win the admiration
of friends and foes"