The Prohibition Plebiscite. 
 
 IS IT TO BE UNTRAMMELLED AND PAIR? 
 
 On May 13th, lh97, a deputation representing the liquor interests of 
 Canada, waited upon the Dominion Government and expressed a desire 
 that the proposed Plebiscite should not take the form of a vote upon 
 the abstract question of prohibition. The deputation argued that if ^ 
 prohibition were enacted it would involve a loss of revenue which 
 would have to be replaced by direct taxation, and that the question to 
 be submitted to the people should be so framed that those voting in 
 favor of prohibition would also vote for direct taxation. A statement 
 was published in some newspapers to the effect that the Government 
 agreed with the liquor sellers' proposition, and intended -to frame the 
 question to be submitted in the Plebiscite so that electors would vote 
 upon both prohibition and direct taxation This suggestion called 
 forth many strong expressions of public disapprobation. Many large 
 and representative ecclesiastical organizations and other bodies 
 denounced its unfairness. To some of these forcible deliverances 
 which are hereinafter quoted, the Executive Committee of the 
 Dominion Alliance respectfully invites attention. 
 
 Ontario Provincial Branch Dominion Alliance. 
 
 y Toronto, July Uth, 1897. 
 
 Resolved, that we confidently look for the prompt introduction of 
 the promised bill at the next session of Parliament, and respectfully 
 request (Ist) that the basis of the vote be the franchise on which the 
 next Parliament will be elected, and (2nd) that the ih&ue of prohibition 
 be submitted separate from all other questions of public j>olicy. 
 Especially do we object to any method of raising revenue being joined 
 with prohibition in the vote, as the problem of revenue has been, is, 
 and will continue to be a public question, large and important enough 
 to be dealt with by itself. 
 
 Thk Council of the Dominion Alliance 
 Adopted the same Resolution at Toronto on July 15th, 1897, 
 
 The Quebec Provincial Branch Dominion Alliance 
 Adopted the same Resolution at Montreal on February S4th, 1898. 
 
 ■—' — ■'■' -./*'^'* 
 
• \ • Gkneral Abbkmbly Presbttkrian Church. 
 
 Winnipeg, Man., June 17th, 1897. 
 
 That our people are hereby earnestly exhorted to use their utmost 
 endeavors in every lawful way to carry the Plebiscite in favor of prohi- 
 bition by an overwhelming majority, and thus free i.uc church from 
 one of its deadliest foes, our bind from untold misery and shpme ; and 
 further, this Assembly would express the sincere hope that the 
 Dominion Government will submit this question to the electors at the 
 earliest convenient date, untrammelled by any other political or 
 financial issue. 
 
 Manitoba and N. W, T. Presbyterian Synod. 
 
 Winnipeg, Man., November 11th, 18U7. 
 
 The Synod would urge upon all those under its jurisdiction, when 
 the proposed Plebiscite is submitted, to vote for the enactment of a 
 prohibitory liquor law. And it expresses the hope that the question 
 of prohibition will be submitted to the vote of the people untrammelled 
 by any other consideration. 
 
 Montreal Methodist Confkkence. 
 
 Ottawa, Ont., January ird, 1S98. 
 
 Whereas, This Conference having learned that an attempt is being 
 made to influence the Government to submit the question of direct 
 taxation in connection with the promised Dominion plebiscite on Pro- 
 hibition : and 
 
 Wfiereas, It is the strong conviction of this Committee that the 
 introduction of any other issue than the direct and sole issue of Pro- 
 hibition in the plebiscite would be a direct subversion of the distinct 
 pledge given by the political party now in power in the platform on 
 which it appealed to the country, and on which it secured the people's 
 mandate in the general elections of 1896 ; therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That in the judgn)ent of your Committee the only fair 
 and honorable way to submit the question to the vote of the electors 
 in the impending ci isis is on the single and distinct issue : Are you in 
 favor of the immediate prt»hibition by the Dominion Parliament of 
 the importiXtion, manufacture and sale of int-oxicating liquors as a 
 beverage. 
 
 V Toronto Methodist Conference. 
 
 Toronto, Out., June 9th, 1897. * 
 
 Jieaolved, That this Conference, while expressing profound regret 
 that the Dominion Government found it necessary to postpone con- 
 sideration of the Plebiscite question during the present session of 
 Parliament, trusts that not later than the early part of next session 
 the Government will proceed to fulfil its solemn pledge by introducing 
 in Parliament a measure for submitting to the people the question 
 •* Are you in favor of the total suppression of the Liquor TraflQc ? " and 
 confidently expects that this question, when submitted, will not be 
 rendered confusing by the addition of other questions in reference to 
 modes of taxation or anything else. ' 
 
3 
 
 Hamilton Methodist iJonpkrknce. ... 
 
 Brantford, Ont., June, Srd, 1897. 
 
 Touching the fact that representatives of the liquor interest, in 
 waiting upon the Dominion Government, requested that in the 
 approaching Plebiscite the method of dealing with the revenue factor 
 shall be submitted to the people, as well as the main question, your 
 Committee would respectfully protest against such a proposal, and for 
 the following reasons : 
 
 (a) A readjustment of financial methods is involved in the main 
 question of prohibition, and an affirmative vote necessarily carries with 
 it consent to share the burden of readjusted taxation. 
 
 (b) Methods of taxation are divisive issues. It would greatly em- 
 bsirrass a vote on the main question to introduce a second divisive 
 issue. 
 
 (c) The Government having pledged itself to a Plebiscite the tem- 
 perance people had a right to assume that, as in the Provincial 
 Plebiscite, the expression would be confined to the main issue. 
 
 Your committee is further strongly of the opinion that it is a mis- 
 take to assume that direct taxation is a necessary concomitant of pro- 
 hibition. It has been clearly shown, that a slight readjustment of 
 present methods could be made to produce several millions of revenue, 
 and, moreover, a Government that has the confidence of the people 
 may safely be entrusted with the responsibility of adjusting taxation 
 to the new conditions. 
 
 London Methodist Conference. ' ..< 
 
 London, Ont., June Srd, 1897. 
 
 That we have considered the memorials received from several 
 districts in respect to a Dominion Plebiscite on the question of prohi- 
 bition, expressing the opinion that this question should not be compli- 
 cated with any other issue. We are fully in accord with this judgment, 
 and declare it to be our opinion that, no matter what issue may grow 
 out of this question, the only honorable way for the Government to 
 present the issue to the electorate is to give the people an opportunity 
 to give an affirmative or negative reply to the query, *' Are you in 
 favor of the total prohibition of the liquor traffic in the Dominion of 
 Canada?" inasmuch as it is in accord with the sentimerkts expressed 
 by the Hon. Mr. Laurier, when a deputation from this Conference 
 waited upon him at Stratford, June, 1896, at which time he said, in 
 regard to the question of a Plebiscite vote, " Up to this moment this 
 question has never been approached by the electors free from other 
 considerations ; whenever it has been submitted to the electors it has 
 always been submitted along with other questions that affect the 
 public mind. We deem it wise to separate it from all other consider- 
 ations, and test public feeling on tne matter, and that we shall do 
 when we come into office, as I believe we shall," and that a memorial 
 to this effect be presented to the Government. 
 
 -: >■'< - Bay of Quinte Methodist Conference. 
 
 BoivDuinville, Ont., June 18th, 1897. 
 
 We are of the opinion that the proposed Dominion Plebiscite should 
 Ih* fairly presented to the electorate with full and definite information 
 as to any financial burden it may entail. At the same time we are of 
 
the opinion that the extinction of the liquor traffic would so tend to 
 increase ^i^eneral prosperity and augment other sources of revenue that 
 the financial loss and the difficulty of providing for the same would 
 only l)e temporary ; that the country will be better able to bear the 
 burdenf; of public expenditure without than with the liquor traffic; 
 that all temperance people should be quite willing to bear their fair 
 proportion or such temporary burden of ta,xation as the changed con- 
 ditions may necessitate ; that there are many sources of revenue avail- 
 able to the Government over which such temporary losses may be 
 distributed, and there is no necessity of raising such deficiency in any 
 particularly obnoxious way. And as many citizens of the coimtry are 
 strongly opposed to direct taxation, we feel that there would be no 
 necessity of raising any considerable proportion of such deficiency in 
 that way, and consequently no necessity of coupling the issue of direct 
 taxation with that of prohibition ; and the coupling of these issues 
 upon a ballot, as has been suggested by some, would tend to unfairly 
 prejudice the vote on the prohinition question. 
 
 ! ' Nova Scotia Methodist Conferknck. • •' 
 
 • ,.•.;. i:. > Liverpool, N. S., June 17th, 1897. 
 
 In view of the present condition of the temperance reform in 
 Canada, we, as a Conference, re affirm our determined hostility to the 
 liquor traffic, and therefore protest against anything being submitted 
 with the Plebiscite to the electors but the simple question, '• Do you 
 approve of the prohibition of the manufacture, importation and sale of 
 intoxicating liquors as a beverage?" 
 
 New Brunswick Methodist Conference. 
 
 Frederlcton, N.B., June 24th, 19,97. 
 
 We regret the postponement of the Plebiscite, and trust that the 
 government of the day will provide for its submission to the electorate 
 at the earliest possible date ; but in order to avoid any possible confu- 
 sion, as well as to set forth the strength of the prohibition sentiment, 
 we are strongly opposed to the association of any question of fiscal 
 policjr with the main and important issue— the absolute prohibition of 
 the liquor traffic. 
 
 !■ r ... 
 
 Manitoba and N. W. T. Methodist Conference. 
 
 Portage La Prairie, Man., June 15th, 1SD7. 
 
 Commissions have been placed in our hands from several districts, 
 re the taking of a Dominion Plebiscite, we recommend : 
 
 That inasmuch as the addition of any question or questions to the 
 simple one of '* prohibition " is necessarily confusing to the mind of the 
 electorate and will tend to prevent the free expression of public 
 opinion ; and inasmuch as it is the duty of the House of Commons to 
 settle the details of ways and means for providing the necessary revenue 
 for the country, and 
 
 Whereas, Premier Laurier did pledge himself to the London Metho- 
 dist Conference, held at Stratford, Ont., June, 1896, that the question 
 would be submitted to the electorate of Canada entirely apart from all 
 other questions, 
 
 This Conference respectfully demands that the Government fulfil 
 its pledges to submit the simple question to the electorate apart from 
 every other question or issue, and that it be submitted at the earliest 
 possible moment. 
 
CONGRBOATIONAL UNION, ONTARIO AND QUEBEC. 
 
 Kingston, Ont., Ju7ie lUth, 1897. 
 
 I.I ..>■.' 
 
 It has been rumored that the cjuestion of direct taxation to meet 
 the revenue deficit in case prohibition becomes law, will be appended 
 and the people asked for their opinion on it. This has drawn forth 
 universal disapprobation from the temperance people. And in this 
 feeling your committee fully share, for it is hardly fair to tack to the 
 question of prohibition the question of supplementary taxation. That 
 there would be a loss of revenue is conceded, but we cannot tell before- 
 hand with anything approaching exactness what this loss would 
 actually be. The money saved from liquor would be expended on other 
 dutiable articles, and the revenue deficiency would thus in great part 
 be made good. Yet the question of finance is so entirely foreign to the 
 
 auestion on which it is proposed to ascertain the people's will, that it is 
 ifflcult to account for the action of a Government in combining the 
 two. 
 
 Your committee submits the following recommendations ;— 
 
 • «««** 
 
 3. That we protest against the attachment of a rider to the prohi- 
 bition plebiscite as to the form of taxation. 
 
 4. That as a denomination favoring a prohibitory law, we earnestly 
 urge upon the people of our chiirches in Ontario and Quebec, the im- 
 portance of voting for prohibition, regardless of the conditions that 
 may be attached to the form of its submission. 
 
 Maritime Provinces CoNOREaATioNAL Union. 
 
 Milton, N.S., July 12th, 18U7. 
 
 To the Hon. Wilfrid Laurier, Premier of Canada. Resolved, The 
 Congregational Union of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, in conven- 
 tion assembled, desire to express our appreciation of the promise of 
 your Government to have a plebiscite taken upon the question of pro- 
 hibition : and we would urge that the question be submitted without 
 any reference to the question of revenue. 
 
 Baptist Convention Ontario and Quebec. 
 I - London, Ont., May 2(:th, 1897. . ' 
 
 ' Whereas, the adoption of prohibition does not, in our opinion, 
 necessarily involve direct taxation as the only method of securing a 
 sufficient revenue, and 
 
 Whereas, we do not think it just to attach to the Prohibition Ple- 
 biscite a rider which confuses the issue by bringing forward a revolu- 
 tionary fiscal policy, which is not made necessary by prohibitory 
 legislation. Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, that this Convention, which represents over 200,0(X) of 
 Her Majesty's loyal subjects, express its strong dissent from the pro- 
 posal to complicate the important question of prohibition with that of 
 the monetary policy of the country. 
 
Baptist _CoNVENTioN op Maritime Provincrs. 
 
 St John, N.B', Aug^ist ^6th, 1897. 
 For years our denomination has demanded prohibition. Let us nut 
 descend to ask for anything short of it. The Plebiscite is not our child. 
 It is not prohibition. Not even total abstinence. If, however, the 
 Government of Canada gives us a chance to speak "yes " or " no " we 
 must do our best to make our reply most emphatic. We are not asking 
 for a second edition of the ttoyal Commission, and declare that such a 
 question as the Plebiscite must not stop our demand for prohibition. 
 . ... If Parliament proposes to give a Plebiscite mixed with some- 
 thing else 50,000 Baptists in Maritime Canada should unite in a mighty 
 protest. 
 
 Nova Scotia Conpkrknck, Free Baptist Church. 
 
 Yarmouth, N.S., September 8th, 1897. 
 
 We have no svmpathy with any political stratagem, and no regard 
 for expediency when moral principle is at issue. The Plebiscite pro- 
 posed and endorsed by the present Dominion Government, while not 
 what righteousness demands, still has its claims upon us ; therefore in 
 the interest of what we are seeking, we ask our people to support the 
 principle of prohibition by going to the polls when submitted to the 
 people and doing all possible to make it effective for good, providing 
 that the said issue is presented as first proposed, namely, "yes" or "no 
 as to probibition, and endorsed by temperance leaders; otherwise we 
 ask all our people to ignore it. 
 
 Free Christian Baptist Church op New Brunswick. 
 
 Fredericton, N.B., October 9th, 1897. 
 
 We believe in prohibition by a Dominion law. While the Plebiscite 
 was not of our seeking, we think if fairly taken the temperance cause 
 has nothing to fear ; we think the Plebiscite should be a straight Yea 
 and Nay pronouncement on Prohibition. This Conference most empha- 
 tically protests against any other submittal, either in restrictions or 
 complications with other questions, as revenue, compensation, etc. If 
 properly presented we urge our people to do all in their power to m^ke 
 the election a victory for temperance. 
 
 Ontario Provincial Womkn's Christian Temperance Union. 
 
 Brantford, October 15th, 1898. ' '<• 
 
 Resolved, That we hold it but just that the Government should re- 
 deem its pledge to the people by giving them a Prohibition plebiscite 
 pure and simple ; we therefore regret exceedingly, and protest vigor- 
 ously, against the proposition, to couple with it the question of direct 
 taxation, believing that to get a true consensus of opinion, the vott^ 
 should be upon the promised issue, and that alone. 
 
 Quebec Provincial Women's Christian Temperance Union. 
 
 Standatead, P.Q., September ^8th, 1897. 
 
 Resolved, That while we regret that the Dominion Plebiscite has 
 been delayed our position on this question is unchanged. We look to 
 the Federal Government for the fulfilment of its pledge to grant a 
 
Dominion Plebiscite early in the next sension of Parlianjent, and in the 
 event of its carrying for prohibition to grant us a Dominion prohibi- 
 tory law. We believe that the question be submitted to the electors 
 should be: "Are you in favor of the total prohibition of the manu- 
 facture, sale and importation of iutoxicatmg liquors, for beverage 
 purposes?" and that tnis question should not be encumbered with any 
 question pertaining to revenue or taxation ; but that the result should 
 be determined by a maiority of the votes cast, 
 
 Resolved, That we do our utmost to make the Plebiscite victorious 
 for Prohibition. 
 
 Nova Scotia Provincial Women's Chkihtian Tkmfkkknck Union. 
 
 Windsor, N.S., October rdh, 1897. 
 
 Realizing the sin of the legalized liquor traffic, therefore 
 * Resolved, In view of the decision of the Privy Council, and the 
 promise of the leader of our own Government, we believe that it is our 
 duty to put forth united effort to bring about prohibition for the Pro- 
 vince, no less than for the Dominion, and urge upon the electorate that 
 the Plebiscite bf taken on its own merits, without side issues. 
 
 P. E. Island Provincial Women's Christian Tkmperanck Union. 
 
 Kensington, P.E.I., June 7th, 1897. 
 
 Resolved, That in view of the promised Plebiscite vote, the W.C.T.U. 
 of this Province urge the Dominion Government not to insert the 
 obiectional clause regarding revenue in presenting the question to the 
 electors. ^ 
 
 Manitoba Provincial Women's Christian Temperanck Union. 
 
 Brandon, Ju7ie '43 vd, 1897. ' ■* ■. 
 
 Resolved, That we pledge oiirselves to do all in our power to influ- 
 ence public sentiment, in favor of a Plebiscite, which shall declare for 
 the immediate enactment of a prohibitory law, and that we view with 
 alarm and indignation any attempt to complicate so important an issue 
 by coupling with it the question of direct taxation. 
 
 New Brunswick Grand Division toONs of Temperance. 
 
 ^7. John, N.B., October 18th, 1897. 
 
 Whereas, It is, feared that in the Plebiscite vote to be taken in the 
 near future on the question of prohibition, some other questions may 
 be introduced into the contest : 
 
 Therefore Resolved, That a memorial be forwarded from this Grand 
 Division to the Federal Government protesting against any other ques- 
 tion being mixed up with it, and praying that the vote may be simply 
 yes or no on the prohibition of the liquor traffic. And 
 
 Further Resolved, That this Grand Division will take no part in any 
 such vote if the question of prohibition is hedged about by any condi- 
 tions whatever. 
 
 i 
 
 5* 
 
8 
 
 Nova Scotia Grand ]jOD(;e I. C). G. T. 
 
 Baddeck, N.S., July 6th, 1897, 
 We note with dissHtisf action the course pursued by a section of the 
 Government press in it« unreasonable and uncalled for opposition to 
 prohibition, and its proposals to encumber the direct question with 
 questions relating to taxation and other foreign matters. 
 
 Grand Lodge op Canada I. O. G. T. 
 
 Toronto, June 17th, 1897. 
 We strongly oppose the suggestion of the liquor party that the 
 question of revenue should be coupled with that of prohibition, as most 
 unfair to the temperance people. It is the pronounced decision of this 
 Grand Lodge that this question should not be complicated with any 
 other issue no matter what issues may grow out of the ciuestion, believ- 
 ing as we do, that the only honorable way to present it to the elector- 
 ate is to give the people an opportunity to give a reply to the single 
 query, "Are you in favor of the total prohibition of the liquor traffic 
 in the Dominion of Canada?" 
 
 Prince Edward Island Grand Lodge I. O. G. T. 
 
 Charlottefown, July Oth, 1897. 
 
 Therefore Resolved, That we, the members of the Grand Lodge and 
 voters having the interests of this country and the cause of temperance 
 at heart, would urge most strenuously that the Government will sub- 
 mit the simple question of prohibition to a vote according to the 
 original promise without anything to divert the voters from the main 
 question " Do you desire the prohibition of the liquor traffic or not?" 
 And we would urge upon our representatives at Ottawa to carry out 
 our wishes both by their voice and vote, reminding the members of the 
 Government of their promises during the election contest and thus 
 keep faith with those who supported them under this impression ; and 
 with the expectation of a Pronibition Plebiscite pure and simple. 
 
 Ontario Provincial Grand Council. R. T. of T, 
 
 St. Thotnaa, Ont., February, 1898. 
 
 We enter our solemn protest against the proposition that in the 
 submission of the question of Prohibition the question of direct taxa- 
 tion should be attached thereto. We insist that the question should 
 be submitted entirely free from any other question whatsoever. Any- 
 thing other than this would be, to a cei'tain extent, to prejudice the 
 case, and would be manifestly unfair. 
 
 Quebec Provincial Grand Council R. T. of T. 
 
 Montreal, P.Q., February 23rd, 1898. 
 Whereas, The plebiscite was not the form which the temperance 
 people expected the response to their petitions regarding the liquor 
 traffic to take, yet as it is the avowed intention of the Dominion 
 Government to introduce such legislation at the present session of the 
 Dominion Parliament, we are of the opinion that no confusing question 
 should be appended to this legislation, but that it should be a simple 
 "yea" or "nay" vote. /. 4 a !•» 
 
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