Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-29
A REGULAR SURPRISE.
British Americans Side With the
Constitutional Amendment
AT A LIVELY DEBATE LAST NIGHT.
Some Strong Speeches We're Made on Both
Sides Of the Question.
TEMPERANCE WAS IN THE MAJORITY.

The prohibition amendment has found
advocates in very unexpected quarter, in
asmuch as the British-Americans are
strongly in favor Of seeing the liquor traffic
abolished.
Alarge number of delegates from Branches
No. 2 and No. 10, of the British-American
Association Of Pittsburg, held meeting in
their hall in the Moorehead building last
night for the purpose of getting the views of
the members on the question.
Mr.. james Dell, President Of Branch No.
2, acted as Chairman, and after he had in
troduced the subject for discussion, Mr..
Peak at once requested to have the floor.
He read very long paper, the contents of
which was intended to indorse the Consti-
tioDal amendment. When he had finished
reading and Mr.. Dell asked whether there
was anybody to speak against the issue,
Duncan White, the Secretary, said:
In my opinion do not see how any man of
intelligence can boldly stand up and differ with
Mr.. Peaks paper. think that it is patent
fact to all of US that the curse Of liquor has
wrought more evil and crime than anything we
know of.
Mr.. Kerr, another gentleman, spoke in the
same strain, and he supplemented it by
saying:
WHERE WOMEN ARE DRUNK.
There is nobody who knows the evil effects Of
drinking better than we Britons, because we
all come from country where women are par
ticularly addicted to the pernicious habit Of
drunkenness and If there is anything that
am thankful for, it is the fact that we do not
see so many women drunk in this country as in
England.
Then James Horrocks got up and he
stated that he intended to go on the stump
for prohibition. He was followed by a man
named Shaw, who said he had been tenn
perance man all his life, because he could
not drink, as the least taste OF liquor would
make him sick.
1t looked very blue for those who disa-
greed with prohibition, and none of them
seemed to have courage enough to express
their opinion for fear that they would stand
alone. At last Mr.. Preece, came to the
rescue, however. Said he:
did not expect that the prohibition
amendment had so many advocates among the
members of our association and it almost looks
to me, as If were the only one. who is going to
De on the opposite side of the fence. But do
not care, am going to stand honestly by my
conviction and that is, that: the introduc-
ton OF faw to prohibit any individual to
drink what he likes is totally wrong and
against the fundamental principles of mans
freedom. hate and detesG the drunkard as
much as my opponents.
WHERE HE DIFFERS.
But am equally strong against the man who
leaves liquor alone because he is forced to
do so. believe in doing what is right for the
sake of righteousness. If you deprive man of
the right to discriminate as to what he shall
drink you stamp him slave or child incap-
able OF acting on his own individual discretion.
This seemed to stir up some Of the others,
and Mr., Heppinstall, the Vice-P president,
took the stand against prohibition. He
contended that the Introduction of such a
law would create hyprocrites, and that pro-
hibition, instead of prohibiting, would only
cause so many more Speak easies" to spring
into existence. Mr.. John Harrup was an
other gentleman who sided against prohibi-
tion, but nearly all the rest were for the
amendment.
1t was regular surprise all around, be-
cause everybody supposed himself to be the
only Prohibitionist. Another meeting of
the association will be held in few weeks,
and action will be taken on the question
From the tenor of last nights meeting there
is little doubt of the fact that the British
American Association will vote for the
amendment.
There are about 400 members of the asso-
citation in Pittsburg, but nearly $4,000 in
the State, and the question is to be dis
cussed and acted upon by all Of them.