P. L. Page On The Amendment

To the Editor. The questions propiied hy Mr. Kyder in Thï Rsgister of the lOth kst., sngijest tbe principal objtctions that occur to the minds oí candid men in voting upon the proposed "amenrlment." That they have excited interest appears in the number of answers in your last issue. These answers are, with one or two txceptions, eniirely fair aud courteous. They all really resolve themselves into the one great question, "would the araendment and total prohibition if passed, be fairly well etiforced in this state ?" The young, and those who have not had actual cbservatiun aad experienee in the enforcement of such law?, fllled with a proper abhorence of the evils of intoxicating drink, would say, yes. Older persons, who have had personal observation and experience under prohibición, would hve less hope, and more doubt. It ij a trite maxim, that we ghould judge oí the future by the past. I will give but one illustration. Maohuaetu is rny native state, and where I spent ihe 54 years of my earlier hfe. Soon alter Maine euacted prohibition, ihe subject was discuised in Massachu3etta. It was advocated with grerft eloquence frjra platform and pulpit, and was soon adopted by the state. The temperanoe people rejoiced. Their battle waa won, victory they thought waa complet, they stacked their guns. No more of the old fashioned temperance work, such as looking after ihe young and signing tbe pledge, no more moral suasiou, but lega! suasion, wan the favonte phrase. And what was the ou come of ail this? While the temperanoe people seemed to go asleep, wilh the coinforting idea that inasmuch as '.hey had got prohibition enacted into law they had nothing further to do, the l:qujr dealers did not slutnber. They patiently walled till the excitement subsided, and then quietly aud gradually rdcuxid thetr business. To make a long story ghori, prohibition there was a migerable failure, and after a trial of nearly twenty years "free rum " became so common, tnat its enactments were ripéale i and a stringent lioense law took its place. This was gradualiy tightened, t.U now they have loca) prohibition with good succes?. In 8ome repects the laws of Massachugetts were botter adapted to enforce prohibition than those o Michigan to-day. Firgt, tbose complained of for selling liquor were not entitled to a jury, before a justice or pólice court. If the magistrale believed there waa evidenee enough to convic', he could do so and sentence, though there might ba an appeal t the higher court if the defendant was able to give bondg for bis appearance there, where he would be entuled to trial by jury. Seoond, there were special constables appointed in every countv, whose particular duty it wa8to ejforce the prohibitory law. Now aa I wish to be entirely fair in this matter, having no partigan point to carry, or pride of opinión to justify, I cheerfully admit that if the ameúdment is adopted and proper lawg made to carry ut its intentiong, Michigan will legally, in sotne respecta at least, be in a better position to enlorce prohibition than Massachusetts förmerly was. I refer especially to the clause which declares there shall be no property rights in liquors unlawfully maaufactured or kept for sale. It would seem that tuis would outlaw the business and give entire effect to the gearch and ieizure principie. After all, the great and all important quegtion tl at we started with recurs - ''would prohibition, if we obtain it, be reasonaoly well enforced?" If we obtain it, and the temperance people of this state cease tneir labors, and ground their srms, as did tbose of Massichuaetls a generation ago, we should, like them, be worse off with prohibition than without it. Law, though useful to protect rightg and prevent the wheels of progresa from runningbaokwurd, hag latín educatiog or propelling power. It is, in itself, like machinery, dead and lifeless with0 t human will and heart behind to enforce it It i-t pleasant to attend temperanoe meetings and cheer the elcquent orator, but, the great labor and true test co:neg in the enforcement of the law. Tnere is no doubt that some who will honestly vote, against the " atnendment," it it pae and becomes the law ot the s'ate, will do more to enforce it tnan some who vote for it Great reforma are effected (radually by the education of the younpr, by goud social, moral and religious influences. Have we through these influences reached that point where we may usefully cali in the aid of the law for entire prohibition ? I gomewhat doubt, but perhaps I have bt-en mistaken. If youth is more hopeful than facts warrant, age may be too skeptical. If my experience of a generation ago is unfavorable to prohibition it may be said the world moves and progress is made. And then it must be admitted that there is great encouragement in favor of the amendment, in the fact that go many of late who have had good means of judging aro in favor ot it, many of whom are very conservative. I have thus stated some of nay objections and fears. seeing so rauch earnestness in the public rrind in favor of the amendment, which gives gome evidenee that it may be enforced it adopted, 1 hardly feel it my duty to oppose and vote against it as I have expect'ed to do. And I will further say, that if I can be convinced between this and election day, that there will be one-half s much entnusiasm and eartiestness in enforcing prohibitior., if we get it, as there now ia in favor of the amendment, I will vote for it.