The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-23
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2s, 1882
The Beginning Of The End?

It is far cry to that distant August day when the U. s. Senate voted to refer to the several states an amendment to the Consti- tuition prohibiting in the United States the sale, manufacture or transportation of intox icating liquors. That was in 1917, and it was on August that the Senate came to it's momentous decision. The House of Representatives voted the amendment on December 17 of the same year and 1t was immediately transmitted to the legislatures of the several states. Mississippi has the doubtful honor of being the first to ratlfy on January 8. 1918. The last state of the necessary thirty-sx was Nebraska on Janu- ary. 16. 1919. One year later the amend ment became effective.
 In that same year of 1919 the House and Senate passed the Volstead law, thus estab- fishing one-half of one per cent as the alco- holic limit. On October 2T of 1919 Presi dent Woodrow Wilson eourageously vetoed the Volstead act The House overrode his veto on the same day; the Senate one day later. Then came 1920 and the beginning of the worst period that this nation has ever experienced in it's long struggle to com bat the evils of liquor Temperance was never at lower ebb than during the years that have elapsed since January 16, 1920. And despite its apparent failure. despite the unwillingness of a majority of the people to uphold the mandate of the liquor laws our legislators persisted in trying to strengthen them. to change existing racial and tribal customs Better men than our present day generation of American lawmakers tried that and failed Human nature doesn't submit tamely to curbng.
 It wasn't until l932 that the first dent in the armor of prohibition appeared. 1t war clear, though, as far back as the 1928 presidential election that the amendment was doomed When more liquor bills than ever swamped the congressional hopper this year sorae change seemed inevitable. On March 4 the House however. defeated 228 to l68 motion to consider a resolution to re- peal the 9th Amendment. On May IS the Senate defeated 60 to A a 4 per cent beer bill. The same day 275 per cent beer bill was also defeated and in the Senate again. July 16 = the Senate. anxious for a vacation, voted 37 to q to take up con- sideration of the Glass amendment to the 18th Amendment upon reconvening. Then came December with its first day of the lame duck session and the precipitated vote on repeal of the 18th Amendment in the House It was defeated by the narrow mar gin of six votes, since two-thrds vote was required to carry the repeal measure.
 Came December 2 and it's 230 to l65 vote for approval of 3.2 per cent beer bill. To our way of thinking the beer issue is but primary one in this conflict. It may become effective, but we really doubt it. But it merely indicates that the next Congress will undo what required years of effort to bring about back in 1917, our first year m the World War. When we approach the problem of liquor control this time, let us do 50 with knowledge acquired in the last twelve years. We know how our fellow man reacts to complete denial. We must consequently. produce temperance by other means at our command. We have wasted twelve years in this campaign. Let's make up for lost time by some sane and sound leqislating.