The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-07-19
PROHIBITION AS A PARTY ISSUE

The "wet" Texas Weekly, magazine
published in that State, gives page IN the
latest issue to the wet" Dale Miller, who
has little difficulty in proving that the re-
peal of the 18th Amendment is not po-
litical party question. The Weekly is to be
commended for its honesty and fairness IN
this case and its well known writer, Dale
Miller, for the clearness of the argument
presented.
Mr.. Miller discusses first the appeal
made by President Roosevelt to Southern
States to vote wet" He sees clearly that
the President is hoping that his influence
will be a big factor in causing the South
to turn against prohibition, but points out
that, after all, in his so-called ringing APP
peal to the South to vote wet the Presi-
dent did nothing more than state that he
is personally opposed to prohibition and is
standing on the platform adopted at Chi
cago. Evidently, Mr.. Miller is not i'm
pressed by the Presidents appeal and does
not consider it justification for any Demo
crat to change his position on the prohibit
ton issue.
AS indicating the views of some intelli-
gent and fair-minded citizens in the Demo-
cratic stronghold of Texas, Mr.. Miller's ar
gument on party regularity and the repeal
issue is herewith presented. He says:
But the criticism advanced by Democratic pro-
hibtionists that repeal is being made strict party
issue is warranted even though this criticism can
not be logically directed at the presidents tele-
gram. The Interpretation of party coercion at
taehed to the message would have been entirely
unjustfed were it not for the fact that many DEM
Ocratc leaders, soaring in the enthusiasm general
ed by the success accorded the repeal amendment,
have been emphasizing and exaggerating this alb
surd dogma of party fidelity to the point that the
South is now being told that every citizen who
votes dry will be virtually repudiating his party
promise. This argument is of course absurd.
Thoughtful Southerners who have been traditional
ly Democratic throughout their lives because of
issues far basic and important than that in
voving the liquor question will honestly resent the
implication that their party loyalty will be saeri-
feed by dry vote.
"As matter of fact, repeal is not party issue
at all In the first place, it is secret that it:
inclusion in the Democratic platform last summer
was dictated by expediency rather than choice
The great opportunities afforded the Democrats IN
the campaign were those of mihtaney and preei
sion. When the Republicans were evasive, The
Democrats were forced to be precise when the Re
publicans promised submission, the Democrats de
handed outright repeal. Certainly no other rea
son than political expediency can explain why the
party normally representing the section of tn,
country elassed as doubtful" in the repeal column
should become more militant in its demand fo
repeal than the party additionally conferred in thu
populous sections where repeal is winning its heavi
est majorites No presidential campaign was eve
more shrswdly handled the Republicans were hope
lessly eheekmated at the start. The repeal planl
indispensable aid to victory, but since
adopted for the obvious purpose of lurin
voters from the ranks of one party to those of an
other it cannot be supposed that it represented tn
views of Democrats and Democrats only any NOR
than it can be presumed that Roosevelt would hay
been elected without the aid of the converts from
Republican ranks
Repeal was not party issue at that time, no
has it been since. In fact the repeal amendmen
was submitted under Republican president am
by congress closely divided that the absenc
of two or three members would swing the balane
> of power from one party to the other Moreover
if 1t were strictly party issue the repeal amend
ment would never be ratified, as the Democrats
party per Sc could not hope to capture the yotin
majorities Of the necessary thrty-six states Thos
that have thus far ratified with such unequivoes
niajOrities have been Republican states almost