Prohibition

Volstead Act passed 97 years ago today

Back in January of 1919, the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. Authored by U.S. Sen. Morris Sheppard of Texarkana, the amendment banned the manufacture, sale or transportation of alcoholic beverages in this country and its territories.

The ban had come after a long struggle that united religious and anti-immigrant forces. Both saw alcohol as an evil, though for different reasons.

It would go into effect a year later, in 1920. But there was a problem—there was no way to enforce the law.

The Eighteenth Amendment made booze illegal but left it up to Congress to pass additional legislation to make the ban a reality.

The result was the National Prohibition Act—popularly known as the Volstead Act for the lawmaker who guided the legislation through the U.S. House of Representatives.

Although the act did not prohibit actual consumption of alcohol, it gave federal authorities control over any beverage with more than 0.5 percent alcohol and the power to arrest and prosecute those who illegally trafficked in such goods. It also provided a few exceptions, allowing alcohol for medicinal purposes with a doctor’s prescription.

President Woodrow Wilson vetoed the act, but Congress voted to override and the Volstead Act was enacted Oct. 28, 1919—97 years ago today.

The Noble Experiment, as it was called, lasted 13 years and gave birth to a spirit of lawlessness among otherwise law-abiding citizens and laid the groundwork for the organized crime problem that plagues our country to this very day.

Prohibition was eventually repealed. And now it’s largely regarded as failure and an example of government overreach.

Some say the same thing about currents laws against marijuana. Some extend that to other drugs as well. We disagree. But on election day we’ll see how Arkansas voters feel when they cast their ballots for or against the legalization of medical marijuana.

Last week: Presidential Election

Last week’s question was about the election. Who do you think will win the presidency on Nov. 8?

Republican Donald Trump will be president to save our unborn babies —W.W., Texarkana, Ark.

Hill, but I sure wish for Trumpy. Now T in Texas likely —T.A.

Hillary Clinton because the GOP has lost their determination —B.J.K.