The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-24
Thursday Nights sessi n

At the night session the Senate did 4
little business before discussion 81 The
London till was begun. Tho substitute
bill for the original "Child Labor" lii
was presented BY senator Beasley.
This YVES adopted and the bill was put
on its second reading. Before this Seae-
tor Burton said that he had learned that
the manufacturer Of his county wanted
no legislation. and ne would vote asaif5.
the bill.
The bill passed its second reading. l.
had been stated ~ Senator Beusley that
the bill presented was a measure agreed
on between the manufacturers and the
subcommittee. and Senator Brown asl.-
Cd if the requirements Of stXty-six hours
Of labor a week applied to adults. t
was told that it did. but the manufac-
turers had exempted the men they de
sired. Senator Brown objected to the
third reading and the bill went over.
Senator Hoey spoke for the London
bill. making a splendid speech. He pre-
sented reasons for his support OF this
and Of his opposition 10 the substitute
| bill.
He held that the opponents Of the
London bill at one moment said the bill
was too strong. and the next asked why
| prohibition was not urged.
III lNo itdoCAS lICtl Dtth aitt3
against the bill; that public sentiment
d North Carolina would not sustain it,
and that it would hurt tire Democratic
party. l do believe that a strong public
sentiment exists for it. The demand in
the last Legislature and in this for local
temperance laws was proof of the senti
ment, besides the petitions.
We are told, too, that it is a bill that
discriminates. If so it would seem to
Be in favor Of the country districts. but
it is a measure that viii aid the country.
Why would the Democratic party be
hurt? Who are the distillers? Mostly
Republicans. The few Democrats who
are distillers must keep still during cam
Haigns or be removed, but the Republicans
can be perriciously active. If the bill
passes it will make nan counties in the
mountain section turn from Republican,
ism to Democracy.
I believe the Democratic party should
pass this bill because it is right. l be
lieve that the Democratic party can afford
to take the lead. If in 1898, We had
followed a plan to submit the Constitu-
tional amendment to each county sop
aratCly in the counties whore it was
worse needed, it would not have been
carried in many and this IS the case with
this bill. 1t has been said that some men
have been instructed by their people not
to vote fer a measure that is not to be
referred to them. and so it was IN 1898,
but then the men who found that it
was right to vote their opinions did SO.
If it is right it is their duty to do so.
The fifth section is not a ~bugaboO.
The whole bill simply shows that the
people Of North Carolina are for tenn
perancc. In 1882 the result in the pro
| Ii1T+Tan oJDntiap cllv-- 4+l;- ~ IL
considered now. Have we not groWr
morally as well as materially, and are
there not loo, 900 negro votes not to b.
considered?
Some say submit to a vote of the peo-
pie. If it is right that the bill should
pass the legislators should take the re-
sponsibility. l believe if submitted to
vote of the State the London bill woulC
win. 1t is not a drastic measure. L
moves the stills from tho country. ant
the sale Of liquor in towns can be voted
on. 1t makes the moral atmosphere 0.
the State Durer.
The only thing the Democratic part
could be hurt by would be its failure II
give a temperance measure to tho peopI,
who want it. The Democratic party i
the leader in great things of the past
and in this it should again dcmonstrat,
it's greatness. The liquor man witt
liquor behind him is powerful. but parter
from his liquor the saloon man and th,
~di8tiller is shorn of his power.
Here most earnestly Senator Eocy
urged that all who were at variance gcr
together on this question, bury their diff
f~crenccs and give united support TO a bill
for temperance. He closed with a tri
butte to Democracy and the bravery 0
he no., 1rIn n,nG,. -, ~, 80
Senator Beasley spoke for the Londoi
bill. He spoke highly Of Senator'S Van,
and Warren and Of their intentions, bu
declared that the substitute is made
quate. It simply confirms the right
Senator already has; that he might oTigi
nate and pass in this Assembly such
temperance law for his county as h
deemed best. The passage Of the sub
stjtute Will be the contamination Of tn
! greatest farce l have ever known. r
said. 1T is Inconsistent. 1T is al va
rance and in one breath allows a vot
and in another let's a Senator put it
provisions on q county. | believe tn
substitute if passed would be regarde
by the people of North Carolina as
subterfuge and we would be regarded q
towards. The issue should be me
2 scuarely. not to say TO one COUNTY ID
1 as you please, and to another the same.
G He urged that the adoption of the sub
stitute would class the legislators a
dodgers and he did not want this. TIL
people admired a man brave in his ow.
t convictions, but not ore who was
e fickerer and a dodger.
Discussing the London bill he de
o clared it was not an extreme or radica
q measure. It was no bugaboo. The fit
q section was not material and while per
sonally ne favored it he would not urg
! its retention as he thought there Wer
other sections which covered the point
'It appears to me that we are no NOR
d than a crowd of school boys, when mem
bers get up in this chamber ana urg