The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-06-22
The Republican Plank
New York WOrld-Telegram

Again the Republicans have pussy
footed Oh prohibition. Their plat
form plank is a meaningless evasion.
1t was dictated by Herbert Hoover.
A majority of the delegates, like a
majority of the country, wanted a
repeal plank. But Mr.. Hoover re-
fused. He sat in Washington at a
telephone and made a majority of
| lisa delegates bury their convictions
and the sincerity of their party.
| They were reluctant. But the cab
/ met officers and the Hoover Secre-
taries, who ran relay at the Chicago
end Of the white house wire. applied
the old loyalty pressure, stand by
the PRESIDENT" That did the trick.
There is only one major question
at issue. That is retention or repeal
of prohibition. The Hoover plank
evades it. I'VE do not favor a sub
mission limited to the issue Of reten-
ton or repeal"
If the Republican party had cour-
age it would have defied Mr.. Hoover
and declared for or against the 18th
amendment. That is the purpose of
party platform-to take sides on
issues which divide the voters. Party
evasion of a national issue thwarts
representative government.
The American voter respects con-
victions, even though they disagree
with his own. A wet could respect
Mr.. Hoover and the Republican party
! for sincere declaration in favor of
the 18th amendment. But voters will
not respect the sincerity of party
which tries to trick both drys and
vets with a double dealing declara-
ton.
Mr.. Hoover and his hcnchmen
know the effect Of their muddled
modification ruSe. 1t means more
years of delay. 1t prevents clear
cut vote.
But it does much worse than that
1t pitches the country into an end
less dispute while awaiting a perfect
substitute. If we wait to discover
one we shall never get rid of ma
tional prohibition.
We have tried prohibition long and
fairly. 1t has failed. We must repeal
it and then slowly evolve some other
plan.
All of the modificationist talk about
the necessity of protecting dry states
is subterfuge. If prohibition is re-
pealed the dry states will be pro-
tected without any additional amend
ment.
With repeal of prohibition the fed
eral government will continue, under
tho Wnht,- Ia, TO Il
states from liquor from wet states,
just as the federal government pro-
! tected them before national prohi-
bition.
No constitutional amendment is
needed to give the federal govern
ment power Ito protect those states
where prohibition may eXist"-as re-
quested by the Republican platform
The Republican proposal is for an
amendment which would allow the
federal government to Safeguard our
citizens everywhere from the return
OF the saloon and attendant abuses. >
But under outright repeal no state
would legalize the saloon unless the
people of that state voted it back
in which case they have right to
vote it back.
The Republican declaration for a
modification amendment which would
retain in the federal government
power to preserve the gains already
made in dealing with evils inherent
in the liquor traffic" is meaningless.
The Wickersham commission dis
covered :hat drinking conditions and
crime were worse rather than bet
ter.
National prohibition has not given
us gains in dealing with the liquor
traffic" It has set us back. It has
made us q lawless nation Of hypo-
critics. It has increased drunkenness
and crime. It has polluted youth. It
has corrupted politics. It h. robbed
us Of revenue needed to relieve the
taxpayer and to employ and feed the
hungry.
The Republicans have cast their
die. The way is open for the Demo
Gratis to meet the issue honestly-and
win.