The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-19
THE STATE ABLAZE
FOR TEMPERANCE
A Multitude of Voices Blend
in One Vast Cry.
APPEALING FOR RELIEF
The People Ask and Expect Legislation hal
Will Restrict the Liquor Trafiic---Noth-
ing Less Than the London Bill
Will Satisfy.


To the Editor The citizens OF Faison,
! Dublin county, met in mass meeting Mon
day night and unanimously passed reso-
lutions in favor of the London Bill" as
they regard the Watts Bilr' Intellectual,
and commended their legislators, Sena-
tor Hicks and Representative Carlton,
for their efforts in behalf of the passage
of the London Bill,' and urged them to
continue their fight for temperance and
stand by the London bill to the last
Living under the Duplin county prohi-
bition law with its anti-iug feature, for
nearly two years, our people fully realize
the great advantage of such temperance
legislation, and if any one thinks that
such laws do not prohibit we invite
them to our county, where they may see
the splendid results of this law, which
will become more and more efectual as
Il applies to larger territory
Some express fear that the passage OF
the London bill will damage the Demo-
cratic party. especially since the Repub-
lican party has made 1t an issue. This
is all rot and even laughable, and such
Democrats are far more concerned about
the welfare of the liquor men than the
Democratic party or the State. What
has been the result in these five adjoin-
ing counties, Duplin, Sampson, Pender,
Bladen and Cumberland, where prohibi-
tion laws were passed by the Legislature
in 1901?
All of these counties except Sampson,
which was Republican before. are still
Democratic and will continue to give
Increased Delnocratic majorities.
In Pender county the Republicans mado
no canvass at all. In Bladen there was
not only prohibition, but there was
. great contention over a stock law, yet
khe county continues Democratic. In
huplin there was an effort on the part
Athe Republicans to make liquor an
and they called long and loud for
>pdent Democratic voters to join
Inks. postponing their county con-
and changing the name Of
arty to THE White Citizens party
Educe them to become, but none went
IA prohibition is stronger in Duplin
To-day than ever before.
In Sampson the prohibition cause is
stronger. too, and the Democratic party
would have gained votes. had not the
ganization two years ago with petition
of 500 voters, fought the strong prohibi-
ton movement in the county, with 81 600
white voters before the Legislature and
continued the fight ever since.
Cumberland county, which voted 500
majority fer Mckinley two years ago.
after sixteen months of prohibition voted
1,45O majority for prohibition and elected
a Democratic prohibition ticket by GOO
majority, although there was disaffection
in the Democratic ranks.
Is not this fair test and what better
evidence does the Legislature need?
Was not this Legislature elected large
ly Democrats when the voters and the
candidates knew full well that prohibit
tion, such as given by the London bill,
would be the most prominent issue in
the General Assembly?
Let the Democratic party accept the
challenge of the State Republican party
which has declared with the liquor forces.
and pass the London bill as it is now
amended
With the growing sentiment in favor
of temperance. which will be much in
creased by the happy effects of the Lon
don bill, it will be an easy matter for
the Democratic party to win out again,
because it will attract to its ranks the
men of other parties who stand for the
best interest of the State and people.
Our State is now in debt 100000 with
overlooking jails our asylums too small
and our educators crying for more funds
for our ignorant children. Why not
strike at the root of this debt, the first
cause of overfilled jails and the chief
cause, too of ignorance and insanity. II
liquor caused So per cent of crimes, 70
per cent OF insanity. with poverty, misery
and ignorance following always and
everywhere in its trail. why not pass the
London bill, which will begin at once TO
empty our prisons, jails and asylums and
thereby lessen debt, crime, poverty and
ignorance in our State.
The people of the State expect the pas
sage of this bill and will be satisfied
with nothing less. Everywhere and on
all sides in this State. in other States
and other lands there is a universal
ground swell for restrictive temperance
legislation, and our people will be salts
fled with nothing less.
Let our lawmakers fully understand
this and take fair notice that the white
people of our State demand of them the
London bill.
JOHN NJ FAISON.
Faison. \. c., February 18th. 1903.
HnUaYd ond Trnuord