The news & observer., 1902-01-19
THE JUG TRAIN"
True Bills Found Against W.
]. Mcdonald.
Orders For Liquor to be Sent From Benson
Through Dry Section Of Harnett, Cum.
bsrland and Robson.
Especial to News and Observer.


Fayetteville, N. c., Jan. 1S.-The grand
jury returned to the Superior court here
yesterday three true bills against w. j.
Mcdonald for selling whiskey without
license The eases will be tried at the
next term of the court. This party signed
and was active in circulating the prohibit
ton petition submitted to the last leg
islature Later, he began to take or
ders" here for whiskey to be sent from
his bar in Benson, orders being received
until noon for whiskey to be delivered by
express at p. M, this tram going
through the dry" section of Harnett,
Cumberland and Robson counties, being
dubbed 1.-The jug train 1t was con-
tended that orders taken in this way dld
not come under the law. and that the
above party was operating under 1t TO
considerable profit, so much so that oth-
ers contemplated following his example.
It does not appear, however, in the
al re stated cases that the party was
willing to back up his contention
against the court and a Cumberland
jury under a law which provided for
Imprisonment in the county Jail or peni-
tentiary, not exceeding two years, or
fine not exceeding FIVE hundred dollars,
OF both in the discretion OF the
court The solicitor offered to afford
them a speedy test to agree on the
facts. take a verdict, and go at once to
the Supreme court, but this proposition,
somehow did not meet with much favor.
AS the law is the same throughout the
10, RI Of ha
trict Cumberland. Bladen and Robson,
and perhaps in parts OF Columbus ana
Brunswick), and is sustained by strong
public sentiment, all attacks and in
fringements will be followed with the
greatest interest. AS for the law, II any
loop holes" are found in it. they can
in time be easily provided for; these
laws for the public welfare seldom prog
ress backwards One has but to inquire
in Robeson and Bladen to learn of the
people (the source and hacker OF all
moral reforms) whether or not the law
is permanent with them, and Cumber-
land is said to be mot altogether out or
tune with her neighbOrs, (Sampson on
the east. being also dry under the same
law. and also portions Of Harnett and
Moore, under other laws)
1t will be recalled by those familiar
with the Cumberland Bill that it origi-
mated in the acts of her sister counties,
one of the representatives from Cumber-
land, of his own motion and before the
dispensary fight, drawing and introducing
the bill to protect the borders of Cumber-
land from the stills driven out of Samp-
son and Bladen under their laws 1t
was thought that this bill would have
trouble in it's passage, but after the dis
pensary fight, the opponents of that in
stitution joined in, and the bill passed
with the town thrown in 1t will be
further recalled, that by strange. turn
of affairs. many of the temperance ad-
vocates fought the BILL even discredting
its source and those advocating it, which
objection one member will be recalled as
meeting by stating that he did not see
what difference it made in the law, for IL
good it was good no matter whence it
came.
And it is the latter view that the people
have taken of it, and they arc now or
ganizing, on moral lines and apart from
politics, throughout the county.to sustain
it. They have been given prohibition"
and a fair election on it, and now, with
after knowledge as we'll as fore knowl-
edge we think that in this much discus
sed matter. no fairer settlement could
have been reached, for the voice of the
people, under our government, is and
must be law. License" or mo license,
ii rests in their will.