The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-01

E. Ii. AULL, lGDIToR.
THE PROHIBITION MOVEMENT.


While we agree with the position
that the constitution Of the Democratic
party inhibits candidate from becom-
ing the candidate Of any faction and
being voted for in the Democratic pri-
mary as such candidate, yet we would
like to see tho prohibitionists have
candidate and let tho sentiment OF the
people be tested oD this point. Putting
u separate box III which the people may
vote for or against prohibition will not
amount to anything and the vote in
such box will be no test OF tho senti-
mont of the people on this question.
But to our mind, and the only inter-
pretation we can sec to be given the
provision of the constitution Of the par
ty, If the prohibitionists hold Il convcn-
tion and nominate u ticket, that mo-
ment they rule themselves out of the
Democratic primary, because that mo
ment the candidates on that ticket be-
come the candid; tcs of faction pub
licly expressed.
That provision was put into the CON
factions of the p~"ty or any other con-
vcntions.
The primary was meant to do away
with factional nominations and allow
every man IL free and open field before
the Democratic voters Of the State.
You will SEQ from the wording of the
clause that it is part of the pledge.
Here is the section referred to:
"PrOvided that no vote shall be
counted for any candidate who does not
file with the chairman of the State Ex-
ccutivc committee or with the respcc-
tive chairmCn of the county executive
committees, II plci'ge in writing that he
Will abide the result of such primary
and support the nominees, and that h,
is not, nor will he become the candi-
date for any faction either privately or
publicly suggested, other than the
regular Democratic nomination."
1t snys plainly that "hc is not" now
the candidate of any faction. \ man
who receives tho nomination OF u pro-
hibition convention cannot take the
pledge because he will be the candidate
OF the prohibition faction.
If. this provision does not mean what
We say 1T does, there is no use fer it at
all, for it is II meaningless addition to
the pledge which binds candidate to
support the nominees Cf tho party and
to abide tho result of the primary. If
he does this he could not become Il
candidate after the primary, if he
was not nominated in tho primary,
without violating his pledge. Then
why add this other clause if il refers to
the election after the primary? 1t is IL
useless nppcndngc on such construction
of its meaning.
If Mr.. Childs or Mr. McCullouuh de-
sire to run for Governor they clu do so
In the primary and make prohibition
the chief plank in their platform, but
il a cor vcition is held and they become
candidates Of that convention We do
not sec how tho committee can count
the votes cast for them in the Demo-
cratic primary or how they can sub
scribe TO the pledge unless the G Ms j.
tuition is changed.
We do not believe prohibition by
Legislative enactment is the solution OF
the liquor problem, bnt we would like
TO see clear cut issue on the subject
made before the people. That can be
made without holding IL convention
aud nominating II ticket.
Prohibition in our opinion is not
practicable and would be failure, but
If II majority of tho people want it we
are perfectly willing to give it fair
trial.