The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-02-26
Many petitions went in for temper
ance legislation. Mr.. Parker, OF Hall.
fax, presented two such petitions.


MR.. LUCAS SPEECH.
Mr.. Lucas, OF Hyde, then made au-
other OF his speeches that carried the
audience with him in enthusiasm. He
began by saying that he was country
man himself, farmer, and he was sick
and tired, and he might even say dis
gusted, by all this stuff and nonsense
that was being talked about the coun-
try people. They were not as big fools
as they we're given the credit of being
They knew what they wanted.
The country people want us, he said,
to settle this matter in this Legisla-
ture without their having any hand in
it. He would give $500 for every
countryman that could be brought up
here and said that he wanted to be
given a vote on it.
The people that want to vote on it
are the fellows that run the little stills.
Mr.. Smith asked if Mr.. Lucas favor
ed the part of the bill allowing the
towns to vote.
Mr.. Lucas said he did. He thought
the towns should be allowed to vote
But he didn't want those rum-suckers
to have whack at it.
He was in favor of the Legislature
taking this matter into our hands and
showing that we are able to represent
the people of North Carolina. Gap
pIause.)
Mr.. Morton "You took the stump
against the Constitutional Amendment
to disfrarchise the negroes"
Mr.. Lucas: "You are greatly mis-
taken when you say took the stump
against disfranchising the negro be-
cause it was the negro. In 1898 1
took the stump for Democracy. At
that time the Republicans charged
that we were trying to disfranchlse the
negroes and the poor whites"
| Mr.. Morton eyes, and now this
House is trying to dls!ranchise the
country people"
Mr.. Lucas: ~ promised the voters
in 1898 that the Democratic party
would not do that with which they
we're charged. But then the Leeisla-
ture after that did the very thing that
I promised would not be done. There
fore did not support it in this House,
and took the stump, telling the peo'
pie could not support the measure.
They understood me and said I was
right, and elected me to this House by
the biggest majority ever given to
mortal man in the county of Hyde
| (Applause.)
Then Mr.. Lucas was telling of the
the unanimity of the country people
for prohibition, when Mr.. Smith asked
him why he objected to leaving it to q
vote, If the people would pass it any
how.
Mr.. Lucas said that would cause to,
much confusion, rs one county would
vote for 1t, another against it, and &C
or. He asked Mr.. Smith what goed {
; that would do.
Mr.. Smith said it would be decided
then by the sovereign people, accord
ing to the great principle of the party
Mr.. Lucas: "You want the rum
suckers to have whack at it, and it il
from fear of them that you are taking
the stand you are. You are pro1ibi
ZIONIST at heart. 1 know you."
Mr.. Smith declared emphaticalIy
that no fear ever actuated him in any
> vote he had ever cast.
Mr.. Morton referred to Mr.. Lucas
offer OF $500 tor every man from th
country who would come up here ant
say he wanted vote On the matter
and said that 5000 would be too ]ittl
3 for the people in his county.
Mr.. Lucas: 81 could buy then
l. whiskey fsllers for a drink, for shil]
= ing or a short"
Z Mr.. Lucas then paid his respects
the "taIk" about the rights of the pee
. pie, saying it was the old demasogu
Idea.
"Why," said be to Mr.. Morton, "yo
know Butler landed In the Senate o
that talk. Do you want a job lik
that ?"
i Mr.. Morton: 81 never departed s
far from my party as to go against j
q fundamental principle"
Mr.. Lucas: "You needn't be atrai'
s You'll never be elected to the Senate
'S Mr.. Lucas closed with great ell
quence and was loudly applauded.
n [Continued on Second Page.
:, When you feel blue and that ever.
~