THE DRY LAW

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1931, Page 6

THE DRY LAW

I HELD TO BE CONSTITUTIONAL. j i 1 United Preoc Association—By Electn | Telegraph.—Copyright > WASHINGTON, February 25. i The United States Supreme Court. , with the exception of .Justice Hughes, i wlm took no part in the case, clue to hi.s association with a similar case while lie was practising as an attorney, has unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the Eighteenth Amendment, thus reversing .Judge Clark’s ruling cabled on December 16th. last. The Supreme Court’s decision was not unexpected, hut great interest was centred in it, especially since the Government asked the Court to decide speedily, due to there being so much questioning in the public mind. The Court, offered a simple* decision, asserting that Congress lias Untire power to prescribe ratification either by the legislature or by popular conventions. It says: —“This Court lias repeatedly and constantly declared that the choice of mode rests solely in the discretion of Congress.” The decision lias transferred the battle over liquor laws to the field of revision or repeal. It has placed the entire question upon Congress’s shoulders. and has lent an added significance to the Wirkersham Report, cabled on December 20th, which is still being widely disputed, and is the subject or Senatorial investigations.