Evening star., 1932-06-26

Senator Borah has already exercised his
right of dissent by deciding that, in
spite Of what the platform says about
not committing the members of the
party as individuals, he cannot support
the President while he stands on this
platform.
The Democrats might attempt to
make partisan issue Of the prohibi-
tion question. But If so. they will have
to silence the objections of such weighty
voices as that of Senator Robinson Of
Arkansas, a dry, the leader Of the mi
nority party in the Senate and the
party's choice for Vice President in the
last campaign. Senator Robinson has
said, in a recent interview, that "f a
plank on the subject OF prohibition
should be incorporated, 1t should merely
declare for submission of the question
OF repeal and should not attempt to
commit members Of the party to sup
port of repeal" In other words. SEN
ator Robinson favors the Republican
method Of phrasing the plank
The Republicans explicitly stated
that their plank did not bind their
candidates or their members in public
Office. Yet Senator Borah believes it
binds the President and to such an ex-
tent that he cannot support the Presi-
dent while he stands on that platform
Will the Democrats run the risk of
offending such influential members of
their own party as Senator Robinson,
and many others for whom he speaks?
They will of course, If they attempt
to make prohibition party issue. SEN
ator Robinson and those for whom he
speaks would be placed in an impos-
sible position Of fighting for the VIC
tory Of a party which promised some
thing that they. as individuals, were
against.
Freedom of Members.
The Republican platform reserves
specifically to the President, Senators,
Representatives and all Republicans,
official and unofficial, the right to think,
speak and vote as they please for or
against prohibition, irrespective Of the
recommendations or suggestions Of the
platform plank, with the exception
however, that the President is pledged
to enforce the Constitution and laws
as they stand or as they may be amend
ed. and to exercise the veto power to
prevent notification.
It is not clear whether or not Re-
publican Senators and Representatives
are under obligation to vote to submit
to the States the Constitutional amend
ment proposed for submission by the
platform plank. If they are under
obligation to vote TO submit and their
freedom TO vote as they please serves
only when the amendment goes to the
States for ratification the anti-proh!bi-
tionists have gained a distinct ad-
vantage The final obstacle to be sur
mounted by the vets Is the requirement
of the Constitution that q two-thirds
vote of both Houses must be cast for
submission of an amendment to the
States. II the platform plank binds dry
Republican Congressman to help make
| up this two-third vote, a dripping wet
spot is discovered in the Republican
platform.
The important question in this third
! point, however, Is whether by its word
ing OF the platform plank the Repub-
ucan party can be said-as Bishop Can
non puts ito have voiced no prefer
ence as between the proposed amend
ment and the eighteenth amendment.
There is q fine distinction here. The
Democrats might emphasize the point
more strongly By championsng the ze-