New-York tribune., 1882-03-13

ITOHlDlLiOD cOUtcSJ OF tdSJ ybdV WHICH sfShtTN w
fuse together in single campaign almost al the
elements of discomfort. The history of this was
curious The temperance sentiment of the State
was making such a loud demand for some legisla-
tion to check drunkenness that the Democrats,
having almost q three-fourths majority in the Leg
slature felt that it would not be safe for them to
avoid making at least apparent concession to It.
They conceived the i'd ea of doing this, and at the
same time of combining with it what they believed
TO be political aster-strOke. They thought that
by attempting or seeming to attempt, to annhilate
the liquor traffic they would please the temperance
people, and at tho same time strike blow at the
power of the Internal Revenue Collectors. There
was introduced therefore, and passed the ProhiDl-
tory law which became the bone Of contention
throughout the State This act made 1t a mlsde-
meanOr, punishable by fine and imprisonment, TO
manufacture buy or sell spirituous malt liquors.
wine OF cider but limited sales under
many precautions were allowed for medical,
mechanical and medicinal purposes. Eighty-three
Democrats and twenty-One Republicans voted for
the bill, and ten Democrats and seven ReDnblcanS
against it, When the first excitement had passed
away however, il was seen that II was an utterly
inpracticahe law and it was felt bymany who had
strong sympathies with any genuine temperance
movement that it was y blow at personal rights.
Thelaw had been submitted TO the people for ratl-
cation. The Republcans finally issued an address
1T,
personal rights. The Democratic party, on the
other hand. seemed to have become. az an organlza
ton irrevOcably committed to II, through the ac,
iOn of their Representatives in tho Legislature ana
by the Identification of Governor Jarvis with the
demand for prohibitOry law. Thus, by one OF the
most grOcsQuc transmigatiOns ever seen IN poll
tics, the Democratic party became the party OF pro-
hbiOn. As soon as the nature OF the proposed law
became generally apparent, storm OF opposition
arose. The parties were somewhat divided. Many
Democrats were against the law. and some ReDuD-
fav n m -prph hilton OrnluI ZatIOn
formed in every county, and such vigorous
campaign was made that some OF the leading Demo-
Gratis of the State thought ii prudent to keep out of
the contest altogether, esuecialy in view OF the TACT
that probably tTee-fOurths of the members OF these
Anti-PrOhbitiOn organizations were Democrats
The law was voted down by majority OF lIo,Ooo
votes.
1t is these Anti-Prohibition organizations that
have furnished the nucleus of the new Democratic
movement. ManyOf the class fyOung and progressive
Democrats spoken of were prominent IN toSc organ
izatiOns. and many more of them who did not take
part arc said to be ready TO join movement having
for its avOwed object the destruction OF the bour-
bon Democracy. The organizations stlI exist in
every county, and the plan for coalition against
the BOurbOns Is already matuTed, although no pup
lie steps have been taken. North Carolina elects
next November four Superior Court Judges and one
Supreme Court judge State ticket, Leglsa-
ture Members of Congress, of course, and such local
officers the Democratic rings have left the people
the power to elect 1t Is the Judgment OF such
Republican leaders as Congressman Hubbs that the
State ticket should be divided with the independent
trict except the IId which is overwhelming RepuD-
lican the Republicans should support the lndepen-
dent Democratic candidate for Congress-; lt Is uh-
deTstoOd that one Will be put IN the lleld IN every
Democratic district in the State. The Democrats
who took part in the Anti-PrOhlbltlon movement
and are ready to oppose the Bourbon organlzall9n;
are expected to meet with those Democrats who did
not take part IN that movement but are tred OF
Bourbonsm, during the coming summer, and adopt
party name under which they can raIy al e the
elements of dlSalectlOn. Ihe name OF Liberals
is the one they are thought most likely TO adopt.
II would be impossible OF course, TO discover ex-
actv what proportion of the antl,f frohbltlon vote
of last year was cast by the Republicans and lnde-
pendent Democrats respectively, but IT Is believed
that the vote of the latter did not fall below 400
1t need hardly be said that the BourbOns could re-
gain halt of this vote and hold all they held then
aud still be subjected to an overwhelming defeat;
They could regain even three fourths OF IT. ana sun
be defeated. The majority OF Governor JARVIS, Tue
present Democratic Executive, was only 6,23I.
This was, to be sure, in the Presidential year, 0ut
such n contest as seems to be Impending III NOrth
Carolina would certainly call out very heavy
vote. 1t is likely however, that the chlef interest
of the campaign will centre in the election OF MEM
bers of Congress. IL is expected that the whole
Bourbon delegation in the present House VIII be re-
nominated, and that every one OF them VIII be 0p-
posed by Liberal Democrat supported by the Re
publicans. OF the seven Democratic members from
North Carolina only two had majority OF more
1000 votes and in one of these cases there were
two other candidates. but no Republican, IN
the field. The maiOTites were as follows:
Latham, SOC; ShackeIford, 1889; Cox, 1916;
Is48; iSS'; R. R''b B. Vance, over Greenbacter
and an Independent, ,6,519 A change of 1000 votes
properly distributed would have defeated five OF
these Congressman. North Carolina gains men,
ber under the new apportonment, and the Demo
cratic Legislature Will. of course gerrymander the
State. The best arrangement they can make, how
ever would to leave them still at the mercy OF
the new movement An analysis OF the malorltles
in the districts which they intend to make shows
Republican majority in one of 5000 and Demo
cratic majorites in the other eight ranging from 900
to 900. A change of 6.OOO votes properly DIS
tribnted would defeat every Bourbon candidate.
Votes do not always, unfortunately, distribute
themselves in exactly the right way, but 1t viii be
spirit these Liberal Democrats manifest under the
leadership of Speaker Price of the North Carolina
House of Representatives,. they do not lnflct upon
the Bourbon Democracy n defeat, the effects OF
which may be of National Importance. ID. L.