Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-30
TEMPERANCE IN POLITICS
THE GOOD TEMPLARs EXPLAIN
THEIR POSITION.

No Desire to Mix Prohibition with
Political Matters, but willing to stand
the Fire If they are Forced into It
The New Officers Elected.
MACON, july 20.-The second days
session Of the Grand Lodge OF Good Tenn
plars Of Georgia was held at Masonic hall
to-day, with a full attendance. The fol-
lowing questions were discussed with
considerable enthusiasm by various
speakers: /. Temperance Literature"
>. Organization" 3. Temperance Edu-
cation in Public Schools" 4. PRO
hihition"
The following resolutions were passed.
Res020ed, by the Grand Lodge OF Good Tenn
plars OF GeOrpia. having over 100 delegates,
representing all parts of the state. assembled
IN public session with the citizens OF Macon,
That the temperance people OF Georgia have
always earnestly endeavOred 10 keep the tenn
perance question ont OF politics, and have
favored elections under general local option
law.
TWO SALIENT FEATURES.
These elections would have two salient fea-
lures. First, they would be separate from all
other elections, so that no political question
could be mixed up with them, and, second.
they would be held on the naked question Of
prohibition, 80 that no candidates could run
M connection with it. ThI- has heen the
tuOIL anu Inc pan OF Inc tenn pSThuCD pbplitt
n the General Assembly OF Georgia refuse
hem this non political mode Of action. that
refusal VIII bring the question into politics.
The people cannot be deceived. They will
place the responsibility where IL belongs. We
nave done our utmost to keep out of politics,
aud we have kept out; but If we are forced
into politics we VIII 20. and If we 70 we Will
make the Welkin ring. We expressly dis
avOW all desire either to 20 into politics or be
forced into politics; therefore, be it
ResolDed, That we earnestly urge the Senate
to pass The local option bill.
POLITICAL ACTION.
At the afternoon session, among the in
teresting matters brought before the body
was the following report of the committee
on political action:
/. The Independent Order Of Good Templsrs
IS not political organization. 1t does not
aspire TO political or partisan power or pre-
lerment Its laws Of organization forbid II
2. The Independent Order of Good Tenn
piars was brought into being and exists in the
interests OF temperance. Its object is by a ]
honorable means to secure the discoutnuence
Of the manufacture, sale and use of all intON-
icating liquors, and thereby free our people
from the innumerabe and unspeakable evils
growing out Of the liquor traffic.
This report was signed d. Gran Oliver,
j. K. Bryant, b. d. Hardaway, e. W.
Warren, G.. c. Thomas, T. h. BOJhill.
The report was adopted by a rising vote
unanimously.
STATE OF THE ORDER.
The committee on the state of the order
made lengthy report. Among its recon-
m9ndati0ns which were adopted, were the
following:
In order to stimulate the young people of
the country to inform themselves more thor
Oughly on the evils Of intemperance and the
advantages of a temperate life. we recon-
mend that the executive committee of this
Grand Lodge be empowered to offer for the
ensuing year a prize of value to the'pupils of
the schools and colleges Of Georgia, male or
female, for the best essay on temperance. We
also suggest to the state Ordinances and
Judges that they also offer prize for the
best essay on temperance TO the schools with
in their bounds.
The Temperance Advocate, of Atlanta,
was made the official organ of the Grand
Lodge.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
At O'Clock the lodge proceeded to the
election of officers for the ensuing year,
as follows:
G. W. C. T.-Hon. Joseph H. Polhill. Of
| Louisville.
6. W. C.-Judge George c. Thomas. OF
| Athens.
G. W. V. T.-Mrs. e C. Corbett. of Macon
6. w. Secretary.-James G. phr0wer, OF
| Atlanta.
G. w. T.-Dr. c. T. Latimore, of Eastman
G. S. J. Tt. J. Keith. of Louisville.
| The public installation took place at s
! O'Clock. Hon. G. L. Pringle, who was tC
| deliver an address, did not arrive to-day
as was expected, beng detained in At.
lanta on the archaeological bill, but be will
! speak tomorrow night. Short speeches
were made by several delegates at to-
| nights session