The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-30
SENATE CHAM Der PACKED
More Ministers ac---Speeches by c. ". Til
let, S. G. Mewborne, c. O, McMichael,
D. M. Reece, R. N. Simms, and
Cam. Morrison.

lam. W0rflSOHs
Once again yesterday afternoon the
forces that are battling over the restric-
tion of the liquor traffic in North Caro-
lima met in the Senate chamber in the
presence of practically the same audience
| of representative people of the State as
on the previous day.
1t was battle royal.
ministers and others representing the
great moral element of North Carolina in
the various counties, made their pleas,
on the strength of mammoth petitions or
resolutions adopted by big majorities.
The debate was opened by Mr. G. w.
Tillet, OF Charlotte, in a speech of tre-
mendous power and force for the London
bill.
He was followed by Mr.. S. q. New
borne, of Wilson, attorney for the Liquor
Dealers Association, who presented their
side of the case with marked ability
Next came Mr.. Charles o. McMichael,
of Rockingham, also representing the Ii
quor interests, who made a fierce attack
upon the London bill and the arguments
of it's supporters.
Then Mr.. Reece, Of Yadkin county, as
chairman of the Democratic county exec
utive committee, argued forcibly for sub
mitting the meter to popular vote Of the
people of the county. He spoke in pow
erful voice and with tremendous earnest
MISS
Mr. r. N. Simms of Raleigh, followed
Mr.. Reece in an argument that was splen-
didly eloquent and at the same time con-
vincingly logical.
Mex Senator London magnificentiy de-
Tended his bill and threw confusion to
the ranks Of the enemy by calling S. Otho
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
mittee was called to order Mr.. Bailey
first asked that the committee hear Mr..
McLendon.
Mr. H. H. McLendon, Of Wadesboro,
said he represented the business OF
Wadesboro, about so per cent of them
sent to tell the committee that they
wanted the London bill, and especially
the fifth section, putting the ever prob
lem upon the liquor men. He explained
that at the last election on this ques-
tion the negroes voted it down. Now
the negro vote had been largely elimi-
mated, and the people wanted protection
He pledged large Democratic majority
| from Anson if the bill was passed.
Rev. H. X. Boyer. of Statesville, rer-
resented the banner liquor county OF
North Carolina, being sent by the repre-
sentative men of Iredell county, and the
| business men of StateSVille. He came as
a citizen of North Carolina, and an
American citizen, and said we had reach
| ed the time when men were going to the
| ballot box and voting for what they be-
| lieved to be right.
| He had heard men say, as he went
| around that they had stood by the
Democratic party when it was necessary
they should stand by it. But now that
the fear OF negro domination was gone,
| they We're going to vote for the right.
They were not here representing some
weak sentiment, but the calm opinion
of men asking for their rights. Petitions
| from a majority of the voters were in
| the proper hands asking for some tenn
| perance legislation.
| He said he respected the fears of some
of the older members of the Legislature.
! that this movement was going to hurt
| the party, but men We're going to demand
their rights as American citizens.
SIS it not fair to put the liquor men
where we have been all these years?' he
| asked.
eve are not here asking for any spe-
| cial bill, but for the best temperance
| legislation we can GET
"Will you just weigh in your minds the
men who come up here asking for this
| legislation with those who are here rep
| senting the liquor interests? Are they
| paid or do they simply come here speak
| ing for the people and the homes of the
| State?'
! Rev. ]. o. Atkinson. of Elon College,
| spoke in behalf of the people of that
| town, the faculty fthe college and the
members of the churches. AS the editor
| of the church paper of the Christians,
| he had found that the people of his
! church were terribly in earnest on this
| question.
There is terrible uprising of the
great moral forces in North Carolina in
| behalf of the homes" he declared
81 have been a member of a party ever
since l was of age. Now they are say
ing that the Democratic party is en-
dangered But what is a party for, but
to put the best men in office? What are
the laws for, but to organize the virtue
of the people?
81 ask you to exercise your very best