Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-04-28
W. 3. EWING,
II. CARROLL,
S. s. HALL,
J. Fl. CuRREY,
j. B. McFERRiN.
MR.. GENTRY's ANSWER.


HLLsIDE, April 3, 1855.
To Messrs. W. B. Ewing Hugh Carroll, s. s. Hall,
j. B. McFerrin. and j. H. Currey.
GENTLEMEN: Yours Of the Goth OF March came
to hand yesterday. You inform me that you were
appointed by the State Temperance Convention a
Committee to PROFOUND the following interrogato-
es to the candidates for Governor of the State of
Tennessee, in the approaching canvass, viz:
l. "Are you in favor of a law prohibiting the
sale of intoxicating liquors as beverage2"
2. "And viii you, if elected; recommend, in your
message to the Legislature, the passage of such
law at early period in the session. And you
request me ito answer the above questions ct an
early day." | proceed promptly to comply with
your request by stating unequivocaly what will
be my recommendation to the Legislature, on the
subject of your letter, In the event of my election
to the Office of Governor Of Tennessee
/ will recommend the enactment of law pro-
hibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors, in small
quantities, except license shall have been obtained
for that privilege-which license shall be issued by
the Clerk of the County Court only in cases where
application shall be made for the same in writing
signed by the person applying, and by majority
of the qualified voters of the civil district within
which he proposes TO retail spirituous liquors. A
law founded upon this general principle, embracing
in its details provisions for its efficient execution
would, in my opinion, speedily put an end to tip
ping in most of the civil districts of the State
and, at no distant day. in all of them and would be
more effective in REFRESHING the evils resulting from
the mmoderate use of intoxicating liquors, than
any other that his been suggested theoretically, or
experimentally tested in this State Moral reform
by this process being accomplished by the people
acting for themselves in every civil district would
be in harmony with the spirit of our free institu-
tons, and beautiful illustration of the republican
doctrine that man is capable of self government;
and would therefore be durable.
fall those who are aiming at common object
with respect to remedy for the evils resulting
from the immoderate use of intoxicating liquors.
would concentrate their exertons during the ap-
preaching canvass in favor of this policy, believe
their efforts would be crowned with success, by the
enactment, at the next session of the Legislature,
of such law as have indicated and great good
would be accomplished. By aiming at more, it is
highly probable that that nothing will be achieved
But, gentlemen you know full well that the Con-
stitution of Tennessee does not confer upon the
Governot of the State the power to veto acts of the
Legislature; nor invest him with patronage to in
fluence the deliberations Of that body. / think
therefore, that the interrogatories propouDded to
me, by you, would be more appropriately address
ed to candidates for the Legislature. have res
pended, only to exhibit my respect for you, and
that numerous and highly respectable body OF cti
zens whom you represent.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. P GENTRY.