The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
ENATECHAM6ER PACKED
j. caes by Nessrs. TiIis', Mtwbrae, Nc
Michael, Resce, Simms, Non,-
sou, Loado", Page and
Dunr,

Dunr.
2@# once again yesterday afternoon the
rras that are battling over the r~estric-
a. Of the liquor traffic in North Caro-
V385i In met in the Senate chamber in the
prescuce OF practically the same audience
8 representative people of the State as
# 6r the previous day.
80 was a battle royal.
49, Again, at the call of Mr.. Bailey, more
i~a.stcrs and others representing the
Wy raat moral element of North Carolina in
III various counties, made their pleas,
81 the strength Of mammoth petitions or
Il 3lurions adopted by big majorities.
MI The debate was opened by Mr c. w.
MI illot, of Charlotte, in a speech of ire
eudous power and force for the London
-
2 He was followed by Mr.. S. G. New
hon. Of Wilson, attorney for the Liquor
"a Dealers Association, who presented their
mi iGc Of the case with marked ability.
8 Eaxt came Mr.. Charles @. McMichael,
20 Rockingham, also representing the Ii
@#(l0f interests, WHO lllIiC . Lticc dlJdch
# ,pon the London bill and the arguments
# of its supporters.
Al Then Mr.. Reece. Of Yadkfn ourty, as
nj chairman of the Democratic county exec
nj utive committee. argued forcibly for sub
Snttting the matter to popular vote of the
. people of the county. He spoke in pow
n erruI voice and with tremendous earnest
Mr.. r. n. Simms, OF Raleigh, followed
Mr.. Rcece in an argument that was splen-
daily eloquent and at the same time con-
vfnoinely logical.
Country distilleries were the special
/ object Of the next speakers attention.
He was Henry \. Page, of Aberdeen, and
he drew q vivid and horrible picture Of
the awfJ! ruin wrought in mems lives,
and women's and childrcn's lives by TIE
country Gistillerv. 1t was a sketch done
h- IN artists hand.
Then came a powerful political argu-
meat from Mr.. W. 4. Dunn, of Halifax.
II was simply grand. Every period hit
he nail on the head.
EoE- Senator London raCnificently de-
tended his bill and threw confusion into
the ranks of the enemy by calling S. Ohio
Wilson their leader.
The great debate was closed by Mr..
Cameron Morrison in an eloquent defense
Of his position and exposition of the
ground on which the liquor forces stood
in the matter.
When the meeting of the Joint Com
mittoe was called to order, Mr.. Bailey
first asked that the committee hear Mr..
EcLcndon.
MIR. II. II. McLendon, of Wadcsboro,
said he represented the business men OF
EE--1,-Icro about 90 co0+ of Thorn
who wanted local protection. He was
sent to tell the committee that they
wanted the London bill, and especially
the fifth section, putting the onus pro-
tardi upon the liquor men. He explained
that at the last election on this Qucs-
tfon the negroes voted it down. Now
r.. negro vote had been largely eliIni-
mated. and tho people wanted protection
He pledged a large Democratic majority
from tnson if the bill was passed
Roy. H. x. Boyer. of StatesviIle, rer-
resented the banner liquor county CT
North Carolina, being sent by the repre-
sentative men OF IrcdeIl county, and the
business mon Of Statcsville. He came as
q citizen Of North Carolina, and IN
American citizen. and said we had reach
"a tho time when men were going to the
ballot box and voting for what they be-
l-eEe3 to be right.
He had heard nen say, as he went
ground, that they had stood by the
Democratic party when it was necessary
they should stand by it. Pat now that
the fear Of negro domination was gone,
they were going to vote for the right.
Thov were not here representing some
weak sentiment. but the calm opinion
of lcor asking for their rights. Petitions
from Il majority of the voters were in
the proper bands, asking for some tenn
ro~anac legislation.
He said ie respected the fears Of some
of The older members Of the Legislature,
that This mo3cmont was going to hurt
th" naTty, but mon We're going to demand
1aoir rights as American citizens.
Is it not fair to put the liquor men
whore We have been all these years. he
asked.
we are rot hcre asking for any spe-
cjal bill. but for the best temperance
LEGISLATION VIC can got
win you just weigh in your minds the
moa who como uD here asking for this
loa alation with those who arc here rep
.ent.nE the liquor interests? Are they
paid or do they simply come here speak
ing for the people and the homes of the
Statc?"
f.f. ). u Afh1nSON, OF ElUh C'li'5O'
g ofc in behalf of tho people of that
town. the faculty Of the college and the
m"nlcra Of tho churches. As the editor
o.. Che church paper Of the Christians,
h@ bad found that the people of bis
church we're terribly in earnest on this
question.
There is a terrible uprising Of the
street, moral forces in North Carolina IN
behalf Of tire homes" he declared.
- have been a member Of a party ever
since Twas Of age. Now they are say
ing that the Democratic party is en-
dangcred. But what is q party for, p1t
40 uut tho best men in office? What are
in" laws for. bat to organize the virtue
Of the noorlo?
- ask yI to exercise your very best
Judgment and reason to organize the Vir-
tua hat the people are trying TO put III
Practice. I am here merely to tell you
OF the very great interest the people VI