The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-18
MANY VOICES FOR
THE LONDON BILL
Endorsements From Numbers
of Ministers.
THE TERMS OF THE BILL
Agreed Upon b. The Baptist State Convention,
The Methodist Conference and the Anti
Saloon Lesgut---Mr. BaiIey's
Argum Mt.

To the Editor ! understand that
members of the General Assembly think
that the bill by Mr.. London calls for too
much in the way of prohibiting legisla-
ton. This bill was framed deliberately
It's terms were agreed upon by represen-
tatives of the Baptist State Convention
the North Carolina Methodist Confer
ence. and the Anti-Saloon League.
These bodies are not fanatical. They are
not unreasonable. They do not ask for
things without earnestly desiring them.
They would not ask for more than is
right and reasonable and necessary.
What DO they ask for?
l. Legislation prohibiting the manu-
facture and sale of Intoxicating liquors
outside of towns of less than 1000 pop
ulation (manufacture) and 500 popula-
ton (sale); permitting manufacture and
safe of wine and cider fruits, ETC.. grown
only by ones self.
Is this too much? If so, any step for
ward is too much.
2. The permission to vote for dispen-
saries as against saloons in local option
elections in towns of 500 population or
more.
Is this too much? Then the slightest
opportunity for moral advance is too
much.
g. That in local option elections the
presumption be on the moral side.
Is this too much? Then a fair oppor-
tunity to grapple with the saloon, the
peoples ancient and relentless enemy, is
too much-too much for the gentlemen
10 grant.
We ask for nothing extreme, nothing
unreasonable. We ask for fair fight
for an open opportunity to vindicate our
selves and save our towns and cities.
We do not ask the assembly to make
our fight; we ask only for opportunity to
fight fair terms. We might reason
ably have asked that the saloon be every
whore outlawed. 1t is a curse it is the
recognized source of crime; it is the cite
my of civilization; it's hand is against
every thing that is good. Had we asked
for this, it would have been no more
than honor and justice and proper re-
gard for the public welfare would cell
for. But we have asked for less. We
have chosen not to call upon the assem-
bly, to fight our own battles, but only to
ask for the opportunity to fight on fair
aiss deserved terms. And the gentlemen
declare that this is too much.
The trouble with the gentlemen is rot
that VIC ask too much, but that they
look at the matter from a standpoint
that is not our standpoint. They are
thinking of the matter as a matter for
compromise not for conscience. They
are thinking of the saloon as an insti-
tuition not as a curse without one re-
deeming trait or feature. They are
thinking of the question in the light of
the time when the people were helpless,
not in the light of this new day when
the people can demand that their repre-
sentatives shall stand with them or
against them.
We have not asked too much. We might
have rightfullv asked for far more. We
have asked for no more than is moral,
no more than is deserved. no more than
good citizenship and good sense re-
quires and good politics counsels. no
more than the public welfare demands.
And as the assembly shall come serious
" to think on this matter they will see
it so. Sincerely,
JOSIAH WILLIAM BAILEY,
Raleigh, N. C.
January II 1909