The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1932-04-28
THURSDAY, APRIL %, 1882


here has been an aStonlShngly large
number of recruits to the so-called wet side
of the prohibition issue of recent weeks.
But on closer examination it may be seen
that many of those who are now hailed as
champions of prohibition repeal are nothing
of the SORT A great many of them simply
have expressed themselves as favoring an
expression of opinion by the general public
on the subject of prohibition. And when
such men as 'pussyfoot" johnson and
Bishop Cannon say there is no reason why
there should not be some such display of
public opinion it is time for the anti-pro-
hibitionists to beware. Long centuries ago
the Greeks were feared even when they bore
gifts. Let US who seek different control
of liquor manufacture, Importation, and sale
than we have now do the same.
However. we can draw some consolation
from the fact that President Hoovers closest
advisers are unanimous as declaring that the
republican party must come out for some
sort of referendum at the national conven-
ton in June Won't it be funny if the
republican party beats the democratic to
wet plank, after bearing all the insults that
democrats could hurl for years about its
ability to straddle the issue. When we
speak of the presidents advisers we refer
specifically to the Cabinet Today it is as
one with regard to acting upon the prohibi-
ton amendment. Perhaps we should temper
that statement. for as yet we have not seen
any group as one with regard to the treat
ment of the 9Th amendment.
But the Cabinet is anxious for the party
TO take action. whether it be in the form of
national referendum seeking resubmission of
the 9Th amendment to the various state leg
islatures or state conventions called for that
express purpose or whether it be merely to
provoke Congress to some more direct action
such as passage of a measure legalizing beer
and light wines. The democratic party is
at distinct disadvantage in the prohibition
issue. There are few outstanding democrats
today who have not endorsed some form of
prohibition reform. Even Governor Al
falfa Bill Murray of Oklahoma startled the
dry ranks with manifesto in this direction
earlier this year. And Governor White of
Ohio did the same thing.
In the republican ranks, though, there
are dozen or more prominent men from
tHS IeSlGeul uOWu WLOoS SWIlSu " lIS WEI
side of the issue would command consider
able attention and cause the voters to believe
that it was the republican party that was
going to release the nation from the sloughs
Of despond into which prohibition plunged
us. The electorate is too apt to lose sight of
the fact that the democratic party has been
fairly consistent in its championship of any
thing but prohibition. Of course, not every
democrat is an ti-prohbitionst. Don't
mistake our meaning. The popular opinion
has been that the democratic party has been
that of the vets. while the republicans were
dry. Now the republican party can CAPT.
talize its change of heart and is apparently
doing SO in good many instances that we
could mention right here in Connecticut.
where stand against the amendment is 60
ing to win plenty of votes in the urban
sections. The wet parade is on. Fortunate
those who can find seat on the bandwagon.