The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1888-04-05
ANOTHER VETO,

ANOTHER VETO.
We had sincerely hoped that at
least one week would pass without
Governor Lowry doing something
which made criticism necessary. 1t
is no pleasure to us to blazon to the
world the short Jennings of our chief
executive. But while the Governor
has his duties to perform, us public
Journalists. we have our duty ia
perform. Sometimes this brings Us
into collision.
For several years the temperance
sentiment has been growing in this
State. Time and again this Scnti-
mrnt has crystalizcd into laws upon
our statute books. The most i'm
pOrtant of these was the Local Option
law approved March II, lSS6. This
law has been in operation for two
years, and some weak points have
been discovered. which the last Leg
iSlaturc tried to remedy.
The most important Of these amend
mcntS proposed, was one repeating
section > Of the present law. Til,
present law provides that when an
election has been held in any county,
under the provisions of this act, that
no other election shall he held in less
than years. 1t further provides
that even in case the election goes
against the sale it shall not interfere
with existing licenses.
This provision has been abused.
Pending an election. licenses would
bc taken out which would run tol
nearly a year after the county had
voted against the sale. 10 remedy
This, the last Legislature amended
this section 50 Il, to make the two
/ years hcgin to ram from the cXpira-
ton Of the last license in said county.
How any iair-ninivd man could
object to such Il just proposition pass
eS our comprehension. There is but
one excuse for the man who would
vote against it, and that is, that he
is an ally to the WhiSkcy traffic and
its evils. y veto under false prctcn-
ceS cannot conceal the clovcn hoof of
the whisky sympathizcr.
This amendment passed both houses
with practical manimity, vet when it
goes to the Governor, he Vctocs 1t.
TIL" Governor had Il perfect legal
right to do SO, and we have a perfect
right to show the tlimsincSs of the
prrt"Xt on which it was done.
The Governor attacks specially the
provision which requires Il petition
for election to be signed by one third
of the voters in each supervisors dis
trict, and treats the public to a homi-
with bad grace from man who holds
his office by the suppression of the
negro vote. The white people have
decided in this State, that majority
or no majority, the colorcd vote shall
not predOminatc. 1t is well known
that ninc-tcnths or more of the negro
voters of the State are against prohi-
hiti"n. 1t is equally we'll known that
If the cOlorCd vote was eliminated.
there are not half dozen counties in
the State that would not go "dry."
Under the present law, the negro is
made III moral questions, the arbitcr
of Our dCStiniCS.
The present ticket law, whose
avowcd purpose was to secure Dem
ocratic majority in doubtful districts,
received the approval of the Governor
The white people are determined that
neither i'll politics nor morals shall
the negro dictate. The proposed
amendment was to give more power
to the white voter. But the Governor
says mo"
qucradc in the livery Of II disciple of
majority rule is altogether too trans
parent. He has no respect for ma lori
ty rule when it does not agree with
his views and interests. The represent
tatiVes came here fresh from the pco-
pie and demanded Il constitutional
convention. The Governor intcrpoScd
his veto.
The Legislature demanded that the
effects of alcoholic poison on the hui
man system be taught in the public
schools, but the Governor vetoed it
without so much as giving his reasons.
1t is true that Congress passed such Il
bill and the Democratic president
signed it, but Gar Robert is mighticr
than those in his own estimation.
This scientific temperance bill was
earnestly desired by the ladies of the
state, in order that the rising genera
ton might be taught the poisonous
effects ofalcohol, and avoid it. 1t is
essence of moral suaSiom which the
opponents of legal prohibition say
will bring the millennium on gallop.
If such q law had been in effect 20
years ago, our Governor might know
more peace OF mind and pass fewer
sleepless nights, and sorrows crown
of sorrows might sit more lightly
upon him.
Our Governor has fallen into a bad
way. An ally Of tho saloon is not an
cdifying spectacle in the executive
mansion. -New MisSiSSippiaH.