California Proposition 39, Prohibition Amendment Timeline Initiative (1914)

California Proposition 39
Election date November 3. 1914
Topic Alcohol
Status a Approved
Type Constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

California Proposition 39 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in California on November 3, 1914. It was approved.

A “yes” vote supported establishing times when the Prohibition Amendment, if such amendment were to be approved, would go into effect.

A “no” vote opposed establishing times when the Prohibition Amendment, if such amendment were to be approved, would go into effect.

Election results

California Proposition 39
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		448,648	66.43%
No		226,688	33.57%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 39 was as follows:

“

Suspension of Prohibition Amendment

”

Ballot summary

The ballot summary for this measure was:

“

Initiative amendment adding section 26a to article I or constitution. Provides that if proposed amendment adding sections 26 and 27 to article I or constitution relating to manufacture, sale, gift, use and transportation of intoxicating liquors be adopted, the force and effect of section 26 shall be suspended until February 15, 1915, and that as to the manufacture and transportation for delivery at points outside of state only, it shall be suspended until January 1, 1916, at which time section 26 shall have full force and effect.

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Support

Arguments

• The Los Angeles Times: "This will give a brief time for the manufacturers to dispose of their products and prevent their loss from being complete."
• The Redondo Reflex: "This gives those who have money invested, or who are engaged in the liquor business, time to withdraw, if Proposition No. 2 carries, and enables those who are engaged in grape culture to dispose of this year's crop."

Opposition

Arguments

• Grape Growers' Association: "If the dry leaders think that this "concession" will help them to befog the issue, they are going to be woefully disappointed. They haven't improved their case a particle and their statement that the new amendment will permit "the growers to take advantage of another vintage" is an absurdity that every voter will promptly realize."

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in California

In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 8 percent of the votes cast at the preceding gubernatorial election. For initiated amendments filed in 1914, at least 30,858 valid signatures were required.

See also

1914 Measures

• 1914 Measures
• Alcohol laws on the ballot
• Business regulations on the ballot
• 1914 legislative sessions

California

• California ballot measures
• California ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• California Voter Guide (November 1914)