The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1890-05-16
BISHOP GALLOWAY ON MI%SSISSIPPrs
SEW CONSTITUTION.
Jackson Cor. Memphis Commercial.


years one of the ablest and most
earnest prohibitiOnisls IN Missis-
sippi, IN an interview had with HIM
by the Commercial correspondent
has expressed The following views
in reference to what action the
Constitutional Convention should
lake upon The subject of prohibit
ton.
The expression of the Bishops
sincere desire that the COnslitu-
tinnal Convention shall adopt Il
system which will lead to the eX-
preston of the intelligent sense OF
The mass of the people must meet
the unfeigned approval of all pa
lriotic, disinterested citizens. The
interview was as follows:
"Bishop, you have been IN &C.
tive and earnest friend of prohlbi-
ton in Mississippi and there is a
general desire that you give the
public your views as TO the present
attitude of the movement"
81 have borne some humble part
in The cause, and have in nOwlse
abated my interest therein, or firm
persuasion in its ultimate triumph.
On account, however, of my differ
ing some in Judgment as 10 the
policy TO be pursued at present
from some as true and tried friends
of The cause as | could claim TO be,
| have RETAINED from making any
public utlerance. Many prohibi-
tionists throughout the Slate have
expressed sentiments in accord
with my own, and have urged me
TO voice the views. But my time
is so fully occupied in preparing
Tor The general conference of my
church, for the seat of which L
leave tonight, it will be impossible
for me to discuss the subject with
the deliberation its importance de-
mands.
The cause of prohibition has
made wonderful advance in MiSsis-
sippi within ten years, and the ul-
innate purpose Of all friends of the
movement is, as has been repeated
ly declared, the legal and con
stitutional suppression Of The Ii.
quor traffic But that end, in my
opinion, will more surely and
speedily be reached
BY NOT MAKING 1T AN ISSUE
in the approaching convention.
The mistake our friends made in
Texas, Tennessee and some other
States was in precipitalIng a con
stltutiOnal contest. All great re-
forms grow slowly. A few years
amount 10 very little in the devel.
opment of a moral movement that
is 10 outlive the centuries.
ballot reform will of Nurse be
the over Shadowing issue in the
convention. For that the people
were asked TO revise their organic
law. IfIt can be secured ON some
broad, equitable basis, in my opin-
ion, we will have made a long step
forward in the complete overthrow
OF the liquor traffic.
"Such a qualification of the auf-
frage applied alike to all, as will
eliminate irresponsible Ignorance
from The determination of public
questions, will largely accomplish
this result. We want intelligence
IN The ballot box. Ignorance al
The polls, under whatever color or
skin, is a national calamity and a
constant menace to ~ republican
institutions. The table of figures
recently published in The Common
aCedlM are a revelation of social
and political peril. They indicate
clearly the lines along which the
problem is to be solved. | have
found that fully seven-eights of
the opposition 10 the suppression
of the saloon comes from the ig-
nOrant of both races. Now, il an
intelligent ballot can be secured,
we largely eliminate the support
of the liquor traffic from The State,
We Will then have an easy victory
and a firm, strong constituency 10
support it and perpetuate its
fruits.
"Of course, in this statement |
only give my conclusiOns-nOt the
reasons by which it has been care
fully reached. If | thought it pos
sible 10 secure constitutional pro-
hibition at present under condi-
lions that would guarantee growth
and conserve its best results, l
would count 1t a privilege and duty
to advocate il with all the strength
and energy of my nature. | hope
to see that protection 10 our homes
enthrOned in The organic law of
my native Stale, and for it will
patiently labor. But IN view of
many things | could Stale if time
allowed and which have ripened
Opinion into conviction, | do not
think it wise policy TO force the is
sue upon the approaching conven-
lion.
sThe convention however, should
eliminate the present clause ap-
p%ropriating all money received
from liquor licenses, etc, 10 the
common school fund. That has the
appearance of making the saloon
the patron aud support OF The pub
lie schools, and il has been used
effectively with the ignorant by
whiskey advocates in many con
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