Another Act Passed

By:Samantha Seaman

Just two days ago Congress and the Senate have passed the 18th amendment, known as the Volstead Act. It has been named after Andrew Volstead, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which oversaw the bill. However, it was the Anti-Saloon League's Wayne Wheeler who conceived and drafted the bill. This act prohibits the manufacture, sale, transport, import or export of alcoholic beverages. The Volstead Act defines intoxication liquor as any beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol and supersedes all existing prohibition laws in effect in states that have such legislation.

Many make a living of selling alcoholic beverages, so we asked a salesman of a local store what he thought of this new amendment and with rage he answered, “I hate it! Alcohol is the number one thing I sale in here, without it this store will go down soon!” Another salesman simple replied, “It’s a joke, and hopefully it will be repealed soon.”

On the contrast, politicians are saying, “we anticipate that alcohol's banishment will lead to the destruction of poverty, while all together ennobling the common man to achieve his highest goals”. Also many see it as the “devil’s advocate,” and with any luck this act will reduce crime, poverty, death rates, and improve the economy and the quality of life.

Though there’s a positive and negative effect, it can decrease the crimes in the United States but many will lose their jobs, the reality of the Volstead Act is to reduce the consumption of alcohol. How this will affect the United States is left unknown.