The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1895-10-08
AN OPEN LETTER
FROM STATE CHAIRMAN HOBBS
TO H0N.sA. ]. M'lAuRIN.
N1fLe 5eE0e
Mr.. McLaurin Asked to Define
His Position on State
Prohibition.
Hon. Frank Burkitt Declares
that, if Governor, He Would
Approve a State Prohi-
bition Bill.
BRookHAvEN, Miss, Oct. s, 1895.

DROOhhANkN, MlSS, oct- Q. AoSo-
To the Hon. A J. McLaurin, Democratic Nomi-
nee for Governor:
DEAR SHIN an official address is
sued by me on the 18th of June last, to
the Prohibitionists of Mississippi, out
lining the policy recommended by our
State Prohibition Executive Commit
tee in the impending State campaign,
the following language occurred:
Until a more perfect organization of
our party can be effected. it is deemed
inexpedient to call convention for
placing State ticket in the field, but
under no circumstances should Prohi-
bitionists give aid or comfort to any
candidate for Governor whose attitude
is doubtful on the question of State
and constitutional prohibition. OF the
known candidates of other parties,
Messrs. McLaurin, McCabe and Var
daman (Democratsl. and Capt. Frank
Burkitt (Populist). we are left solely to
inference up to the present time, as to
the the position they occupy.
I'm the local option campaign in
Rankin in 1857, ex-senator McLaurin
stumped the county for Prohibition.
In the Non Partisan Prohibition Stat
Convention of that year. he spoke and
voted for the following resolution,
which was adopted:
"Ninth-That we use all our efforts to have a
law enacted by the next Legislature to prohibit
the sale of sprituous or malt liquors in this
State
so far rs known. Mr.. McLaurin has
in
of Prohibition from that day to this,
and his present position is unknown
to your committee.
Cat. Frank Burkitt, once an avow-
ed anti. supported all the best provis-
ions of the present dramshop law in
the Legislature of 1892 and called the
previous question on it's final adoption
in the House. Since that time he has
given his personal influence against
license in the local option election in
his own county.
This, in brief, is the record, on the
liquor question. of the gentlemen as
piring to be Mississippi's next Govern
or. How do they stand today? Would
any of them, if elected, approve State
Prohibition bill and the submission of
constitutional amendment, if passed
by the LEGISLATURE That is what all
true Prohibitionists should ascertain
before giving..any Of. them support"
Soon after this address was publish
ed. the following frank and unequivo-
cal letter was received by me from
Hon. Frank Burkitt, now your only
opponent for Governor. which fully
explains itself:
OKoLoNA, Miss, June -, 1895.
Hon. +. T Hobbs, Chairman state Prohibition
Executive Committee, Brookhayea, Miss:
DEAR Sir Il note with much salts
faction your very conservative ad-
dress published in the Memphis Com
mercial Appeal of yesterday, If I'M
derstand your position now, it is in
keeping with the recent national call.
which you signed for a meeting at
Prohibition Park. Staten Island, and
the result of the plan, when perfected
and made law, would be to exclude
the manufacture and sale of whisky,
as beverage. from the State. Dis
pensaries would be established in ev-
cry county. if desired by the people.
and ouly that class of alcoholic liquors
which was manufactured under gov
erument supervision. would be sold for
medicinal and culinary purposes. I'M
der the Strietest regulation. You do
ME the honor TO refer to me as prob
able candidate for Governor in the
coming race, and you ask the question,
Would any of them. If elected. APP
prove State Prohibition bill and the
submission of a constitutional amend
ment, if passed by the Legislature :
Before answering the question. de-
sire to say that / am not an aspirant
for the nomination and shall be much
gratifed if our convention. when it
assemblies, shall find more competent
man to carry the standard of Reform
through this contest to a glorious vic
tory. But if the honor shall come to
me, do not hesitate to say if | were
Governor. / would approve any pro
posed constitutional amendment TO
be submitted to the people for ratitica-
ton or rejection, the Legislature
might adopt. ON this or any other sub
iect- And l would approve any bili
passed by the law-making power, not
in conflict with the Constitution as it
now exists, covering any question OF
moral reform. no matter whether il
met my individual views or not !
take it the opinion of the Senate and
House. acting separately on q question
of the kind you suggest, would fairly
represent the will of the people. and ii
would be a monstrous peryersioa of
the veto power should the Executive
interpose his veto and defeat thepub-
lie viii.
In conclusion / desire to say yon are
at liberty to make my answer TO Your
query public shoald You deem it adj
yisahle. Yours truly.
Prank BURKITT.
So far, have heard nothing from
You on this subject, either directly or
through the public prints. / would be