The Governors

The skippers of 30 ships of state went last week to Indiana. They went to Indianapolis to be welcomed by Governor McCray. Thence they motored to West Baden for their high conclave--the Conference of Governors. The session was to start of an afternon, but the automobile in which Governors Mabey of Utah and Dixon of Montana were riding turned over in the mud. Nobody was seriously hurt. But the conference did not commence until nine in the evening.

Then the fun began. The farming situation, taxation, land grants and several other subjects were to be considered. They were considered, until prohibition drove them from the stage.

Governor McCray of Indiana made the address of welcome. Governor Hardee of Florida rose to reply for the guests and he took occasion to say, "I believe that the heart of America is dry" and to deliver other opinions of a similar nature.

That night after adjournment Governor Sweet of Colorado with Governor Pinchot of Pennsylvania and the Governors of Utah and Maine conferred in secret. Next day Governor Sweet of Colorado injected into the proceedings a memorial on prohibition. It declared that the Governors favored prohibition enforcement and that prohibition had already improved conditions in their respective states. At once the Wets rose to protest, led by Governors Parker of Louisiana, Silzer of New Jersey and Blaine of Wisconsin. The matter was dropped and the conference adjourned at 11:00 p. m. Then Governor Sweet and Governor Pinchot with Governor Trinkle of Virginia retired to redraft their resolution. Governor Sweet declared the product of their work was such as "any law-abiding, red-blooded citizen, and especially a Governor, will sign."

He was right. When the final session opened next morning, the Governor of Maine, presiding, called for unfinished business. Governor Sweet presented the redrafted memorial. It was no longer an endorsement of prohibition; it called simply for observance of law, adherence to the Constitution and cooeperation between the State Executives and the Federal Government in the enforcement of the law relating to prohibition. No one, especially a politician, could refuse to sign it and save his face.

The Wets protested again. The Conference had established a rule against adopting any resolutions. Governor Blaine of Wisconsin protested that calling the declaration a memorial and having it signed was a base subterfuge to escape the rule. Governor Parker of Louisiana declared that if a single signature was attached to the memorial, he would resign from the Conference. Governor Silzer of New Jersey moved to add that "we believe there can be no real enforcement" of prohibition while present conditions exist. His motion was tabled.

Finally the memorial was brought to a vote and a chorus of " ayes" carried it. Governor Parker presented his resignation from the Conference and walked from the room. The Conference adjourned. The Governors set out for Washington to meet President Coolidge. With them went the memorial, bearing the signatures of such Wets as Governor Silzer and Governor Elaine. The Drys had won.