The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-22

would vote for a prohibition bill. He
| had promised them that no law would
| passed that would take from them the
right of expressing their will. AS u
member of the State Executive Commit
tee he thought he could say this thing
with authority, that the Democratic
party would not pass any law that would
take from the people of any county the
fundamental right they enjOyedS as DEM
ocrats. 1t was a strange thing to him
to see Democrats denying this right to
any county that asked it. He made a
last appeal to the House not to deny 10
his people what they wanted as right
He had been appealed to by those
high in authority to withdraw from his
stand for the good of the party. But
he had taken his position, and could not
conscientiously withdraw from it,
He demanded the ayes and noes.
Amendment lost by 80 to 49,
Then came General Bryap's amend
ment to exempt Wilkes county until
ratified by a majority of qualified voters
General Bryan demanded the ayes and
noes. Amendment lost by "a to A.
Next came Mr. Mu1pheys amendment
that the act shall not apply to distilleries
already incorporated by the State.
At this point Mr.. Morton arose and
stated that, as the majority OF this
House and those in high places in the
Democratic party, our Governor and our
Senator seemed to have determined to
pass this measure, he would abandon all
further dilatory tactics. and call for no
more roll-calls. He was satisfied to lct
all the responsibility rest upon the
shoulders of those who had pushed the
measure. He had done his best against it,
But he warned them that in many coun-
ties of the State the Democratic major
tiles would be changed to Republican ma
iorities. He knew this to be a fact in a
county adjoining his.
Mr.. Murpheys amendment was then
voted down. and the next question was
upon MIR. Stubs amendment eXempting
Martin county.
Mr.. Stubs gained unanimous consent
to be heard He said that on the pre-
vious day he had spoken for the people
all over the State, but now he was speak
ing for constituency upon whose pulse
his finger rested daily and hourly He
would never he found opposed to a pure
ly representative government. His peo-
pie did not want this bill 1t would in
jure the business of sor,o of them.
1t was a clear cut, eloquent and for
chile speech that Mr.. STUDIOS made He
assured the House that his amendment
was not offered by way of delaying the
BILL but in good faith and to carry out
principle.
Mr.. Daughtridge made a brief speech,
protesting in the name of the people of
the county of Edgccombe, who did not
| want this bill, because it deprived the
country people of the right to vote. He
was a temperance man, but could not
vote for the Watts bill. 1t was an earn
est, sincere appeal for his constituency.
Mr. Blount made a few remarks, say
ing he had understood that this Legis-
lature was expected to pass some kind
of temperance bill. The Watts bill con-
tanned provisions that met the wishes of
J the temperance people of his county and
were not especially opposed by the 9TH
| ers. Therefore he thought it the best
measure for them.
The amendment was lost by 81 to So
Then the amendments exempting
| Davie. Mcdowell and Surry were lost.
Mr.. Prices amendment to exempt
Rockingham was lost on a roll call vote
| by 27 to 43.
Then DR.. Riddick's amendment to ex-
| empt Franklin and Clay counties was
| reached and DIR. Riddick was allowed to
speak He said the people of Franklin
| could attend to their own BUSINESS, and
they would resent any attempt to inter
fere with them But his people were
Democratic, and would remain so no
matter whether this bin passed or not.
He made very pleasing speech say
ing he wanted this thing, and wanted it
bad He named many of the members,
saying very nice things about them, and
| beseeching them to vote for him, and he
would vote for anything on earth they
| might want He would even be willing
to let them give him this thing tonight
and they could take it away tomorrow
night.
They might strike out that other coun-
ty. He didn't want that county in it
anyhow. He wanted it for his county,
and 70 other.
DR.. Riddicks amendment was lost.
Mr. Watts stated that he had been au-
| thorized by Mr. Morphew to Withdraw
the amendment exempting Graham
| county.
DIR. Riddick moved to adjourn fright
| now. but the motion was lost.
| Then the question was upon the Watts
| bill on its third reading.
Mr. Gay attempted to offer substitute
but was ruled out of order, as the ques-
! ton had been called.
Mr. Benbow demanded the ayes and
| noes Call sustained
| Judge Graham, in explaining his vote,
| said ne allowed no set Of men except his
party convention to dictate to him how
he should vote. He voted no because the
| bill Disseminated against a very large
class of the people, and because he con-
sidered the passage of such a bill very
/ grave mistake
| He considered that his record showed
whether or not he had always been
temperance advocate and a true Demo-
| Graf.
| Mr.. Smith stated that he did not con-
slider the vote on this bill any test Of
| party loyalty or temperance principles
| He had been temperance man and