Evening star., 1931-04-24
EmmersOn Veto of Wet Bill
Creates New Controversy

Prohibition again becomes a matter
Of controversy as Gov Louis L. Emmer-
son Of Illinois vetoes a bill repeating
dry enforcement laws in that State
defying a stand taken by the people in
referendum. His position that the
measure constituted notification of the
Constitution creates a new division OF
opinion. Many recognize his political
courage, while not agreeing as to his
action.
The Governors reasoning is logical
and amply justiies" the veto of the
measure, which not only would have
repealed the Illinois concurrent prohi-
bition enforcement statutes, but all
earlier restrictive legislation relating to
the liquor traffic" according to the Chi
cago Daily News. The Chicago Tribune
says he has "Gaven the Republican party
another black eye" and maintains that
the only thing the repeal would have
affected would have been the petty
graft which rural gyps and city police
collect" The Appleton Post Crescent,
viewing his political fortunes, holds that
1T Is not unlikely that, as a candidate
for reelection, he would be voted for
by many who preferred to have him
sign the bill, and merely because he
showed a strength of character in
doing what he thought was right but
knew was unpopular"
Referring to the Governors position
that IF the Legislature will repaSS the
repeal bill, adding a provision for a
referendum, with the public informed
that the proposal has no regard for
national action, he will sign the bill" the
fV,nr ctfrrn .g.A
Will be interesting to see whether the
Legislature will take advantage of the op-
portunity Gov. Emmerson opens to it,
Finding a parallel in the case of SEN
ator Davis of Pennsylvania, who was
supported by both vets and dryS when
liquor was an issue, the GAINESVILLE Ga
zette concludes: THAT may be the fate
OF Emmerson-to be elected again be-
cause he has nerve and is unafraid."
Gov. Emmerson has vetoed the act
OF the Legislature on the ground that
to approve it would be to approve
notification, says the Charleston
IS. c. News and Courier. HE should
State, Wisconsin, and put down its null
lif1ers. President Jackson set out to
subjugate his native State of South
Carolina, a State in which even the
prohibitionists persist in multiplying parts
OF the Federal Constitution when 1t
suits their convenience"
Whatever may be ones reaction to
the veto" according to the Rock Island
Argus, two things must be conceded:
First, that the Governor was consistent
with his political history in vetoing the
bill, inasmuch as he was elected as a
dry and has always had dry Affiliations.
Second, that Illinois has Governor
who Is not afraid to face a very mo-
mentouS issue and decide it for him
self. Furthermore, the Governor has, by
his action, given the voters OF Illinois
an opportunity to have a real Show
down on the prohibition question, If
he Is a candidate to succeed himself
in 1882. 1t is matter for congratula-
ton, entirely aside from ones opinion
as to prohibition, that the Governor
made no attempt to straddle the issue.
There has been too much of that sort
of thing in Illinois politics as to the
liquor question"
The Governors courage is COM
mended by the Meridian Star, while
the South Bend Tribune points cut that
"he logically interpreted the repeal bill
as measure designed primarily to ac--
compliSh notification" and the Walla
Walla Bulletin believes that he dis
played very fair attitude" The San
Jose Mercury Herald maintains that "a
Governor cannot recognize any man
date from the people requiring him to
violate his oath to uphold the Consti-
tuition" The Shreveport Journal de-
clares "his position is the correct one"
The Springfield lMassO Republican
points out that "he virtually takes the
ground that If the voters Of Illinois in
sist on absolute freedom from all re-
straint for the liquor trade they must
get another Governor" The Republican
believes "he is right" -
The Governor is to be commended"
In the opinion Of the Philadelphia Eve