The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-08-27
Prohibition Department,
BY
j. p. JONES.
40 Tha Polnt.

VO The ROhMee
The following article, from cores
pendent Of the Knoxville Tribune, is
SO sensible, appropriate and timely
that we have concluded to give it a
place in this department, and urge
upon our readers q careful perusal.
We have no idea who wrote the arti-
Gle, nor do we know where he lives,
but one thing we know, his head is
level. He evidently knows what he is
talking about and just how to express
his ideas. Read
have read with some anxious in
terest what has passed between the
TRIBUNE and Mr.. Tillman of the Her
aid. am prompted by it to ask you
the question Are you right sure you
fully comprehend the situation?
If l understand the TRIBUNE it is
disposed to pass lightly over the sub
iect OF the prohibition amendment
It's idea is that Democratic candidates
for legislative honors are to be run
without refernce to, and without COM
initial Of this subject. 1t is simply to
be ignored in convention and by can
didates.
You may ask IL would make the
Democratic party espouse the Prohibi-
ton cause? / answer no, most en-
phatically no. But / would prevent it
from espousing the whiskey cause by
having it show its willingness to let
the people vote on the question.
Democracy appeals to the people
is not afraid OF the peoples willing
for the people to decide every question
| say / am in favor of the next Legis-
lature submitting the amendment to
the people. This is not saying that ]
believe in Prohibition. It is only say
ing that believe in good sense and
patriotism Of the people. Many men
believe that If the amendment is sub
mitted to the popular vote, it will be
everlastingly showed under, II this
should happen, prohibition will not be
seriously agitated in Tennessee again
while the present generation lives
This would be as much as the biggest
wholesale whiskey house in the State
could ask.
So, why oppose submission? 1t can
only be opposed sincerely, by somebo
dy who is afraid of the result? Is the
Democratic party afraid of the result
Afraid Of a decision to be rendered by
the people al the ballot box.
On the other hand, many, very ma
ny OF the brainiest votes in Tennessee
OF both political parties, have deter
mined that this question shall be set
tied. can spot you one hundred
Democrats or one hundred Republi
cans in my county (and as many more
il necessary who have determined K
vote for no man for the Legislature
who will not openly commit himselftt
submission. These are not demand
ing Prohibition candidates. They
will not ask the candidate whether b.
drinks or whether he favors or opposes
prohibition. The only question vii
be- does he favor the submission o
the amendment to the people. An!
Democrat who does not fear the will
Of the people may safely say Eyes
when asked this question. The PEG
PIE cannot misunderstood the motive
o; the man who answers mo"
Now, Mr.. Editor, am unalterabl.
opposed to this question, for the pres
ent, entering into party politics or be
coming plank in party platforms.
am a Democrat, dyed in the woo
and wool both ways, have writer
this in the hope Of contributing m.
mite toward keeping the question on
Of party politics. Let all men Of boil
parties agree that there shall be a un
animous vote of the next General AS
semblyssubmittigg the question to thu
nrbitrament Of the ballotbox, and thel
it is out OF politics. But let part.
come to the front opposing submis
sion, and let me tell you, it matter
not which party it is, it will find fort.
or fifty thousand voters in Tennessee,
including the brainiest and the best
terribly in earnest.
So let us, as Democrats, appeal Il
the people through every candidate
and when they shall have voted, abid
their decision.
When some liquor dealers were al
raigned before Judge Reading in Chi