The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-01-27
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Washington. ID. G.

January Fl, 1888
Ewing Brothers, Editors
The Midland Journal
Rising Sun, Mary land
Gentlemen:
A short time ago, the question arose
as to whether or not a member of the
United States Senate or House of Rep
resentatives should, on the question OF
prohibition, vote in accordance with
the views of his constituents or in &C
cordance with the party platform.
Without placing upon anyone else
the responsibility for any action
have felt in duty bound to take, OF
will feel in duty bound to take, I am
sure it will be of interest to the peo-
pie of the Eastern Shore TO have the
views of the President of ths
United States on this question.
On August 81, 1892, the Rev. Chris
tian r. Reisner sent the following
letter to Governor Roosevelt:
Dear Governor Roosevelt:
Your past courtesy makes me
bold to send this letter. If you do
not think it wise or do. not have
the time to answer 1t, / VIII I'M
derstand and never refer to the
fact that I had written it. If,
however, you can answer it and
are willing,I will give it wide
publicity and know it will do
good admire you so much that
I am sincere in my desire to get a
reply to the questions:
l. How would you make it i'm
possible for the saloon to come
back
O. If before Prohibition dry"
states could not be protected what
W Eo
future
8. Do you think it wise to
make the sale of wine and beer
so common as soft drinks are
A. Do you understand that all
Democrats and Senators and Con-
gressmen are bound by the plat
form to vote for Repeal and the
return of beer and wine whatever
their personal convictions or those
of their constituents
With very high regard, l am
Yours respectfully,
(Signed) Christian F. Reisner."
On September IL, 1882, Governor
Roosevelt replied as follows:
Mr.. Christian F. Reisner
639 West 173rd Street
New York, New York
MY Oear MI. helSner:
/ am always glad to hear from
you. believe that my talks so
far on the prohibition plank of
the Democratic platform outline
my views on this subject. Re-
garding the last question. I might
say that Democratic Senators and
Congressman are duty bound to
vote in accordance with the views
of their constituents regardless of
their personal opinions.
I would suggest that you read
my speech made at Sea Grit, New
Jersey, on August 81, copy of
which / am enclosing.
Yours very sincerely,
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt"
I later wrote Governor Roosevelt
asking if he had any objection to my
using the letter he had written to Mr.
Reisner. His reply is as follows:
STATE OF NEW YORK ExECU-
TIVE CHAMBER
Franklin ID. Roosevelt
Governor
December 20, 1882
Dear Mr.. Goldsborough:
I have no objection to your US
ing my letter, but hope you will
make it doubly clear that l be-
lieve that the Democratic sweep
this year was a definite endorse
ment in the overwhelming major
ity of the Congressional districts
of the Democratic platform
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt
Hon. T. Alan Goldsborough
Denton
Maryland"
As indicated above, believe the
people of the Eastern Shore of Mary
land will welcome the views of the
President and l will, therefore
be very grateful if you will publish
this letter.
With my very best regards, and all
good wishes, / am
Very respectfully,
t. Alan GoldShorourh