HYPOCRITES IN U.S. CONGRESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 8

HYPOCRITES IN U.S. CONGRESS

SCATHING EDITORIAL In an editorial on Alarch 30, 1928, the New York Times describes the situation created by prohibition in U.S.A, as follows: “ ‘Corruption’ is now rightly a conspicuous theme. What is the pecuniary corruption of a few to the steady and deeper and growing corruption, moral and pecuniary, which the Volstead Act (prohibition) begets? A Congress largely composed of hypocrites, Dry-Wets by the millions, constant bribery of officials, the virtual impotence of a statute fitfully and sporadically enforced at monstrous expense, the spy, the informer, careless, frequent infringement of the rights of the citizen; the young trained to regard the breaking of one law as a distinction, almost a virtue; the degeneration of the public conscience; these are among the symptoms of a moral and social corruption more insidious than the official or financial sort. The latter is temporary. The former is getting to be permanent and growing worse.”