The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-17

Expenditures of the House.
evils of the country distilleries, it had
concluded that some legislation of the
kind should be passed.
The committee had concluded that this
bill was a fair, just and conservative
one. 1t in no way disturbed local option.
Wherever prohibition existed it would
remain. and he believed this House was
ready to help any county in the State
to have temperance legislation by act of
the Legislature.
The bill, by doing away with the
ountry distillery, helped the people who
were most helpless and weakest, the peo-
pie OF the country districts. 1t brings
the enemy within the view of the field
glass, within the range of the guns.
Every man who desires to conduct a
liquor business honestly should be sat
isfed with this bill. Every d~istillcr
knows that his still is a ~corrupting in
fuence and demoralizes the n%eighbor-
hood.
That the bill disseminated against the
country people was denied. If there was
discrimination, it was discrimination that
protected the weakest and the most help
less.
wi. tONoi SPOht Vi tlC loHb tHcb
constantly hung around the country
stills, to their own ruin and the ruin Of
their families.
The country schools, however much
fostered by our patriotic Governor and
State officials, could never come to their
greatest development as long as they
stand close beside distilleries.
Every year about 5000 cases of assault
and battery were tried in our State, and
nine-tenths of these were due to liquor,
and most Of them came from the country
districts, whore there was no police pro-
lection.
AS to politics. we had it in our power
to purify politics to a large extent, for
every one knew that these stills were
used to corrupt voters in the interests
Of the Republican party.
It had been stated that the matter
shou,d be left to a vote Of the different
communities. But if the bill in the first
place had contained a provision submit
ting it to a vote Of the people, the Ii
, quoT men would have opposed it just
tho same. He made that assertion with
out fear Of successful contradiction. The
liquor mon only wanted another chance
to fight the bill.
The hard feeling and bitterness that
NDaiH ~ - tIltSt tlSCIlDHS
/ were dWelt upon. II such a provision
were to be adopted. all this work would
be for nothing. We would then give the
people nothing more than they now have.
It would be throwing at them a cold and
heartless stone when they asked for
bread.
Mr.. Morton offered an amendment that
the act should not apply to any county
unless it shall be ratified by a majority
of the qualified voters at a general cleo
tlor held in the same manner as for mem
bers to the General Assembly.
MIR. MORTON AGAINST THE BILL.
Mr. Morton then spoke to his resolu-
ton, on the inherent right of the people
to self-governmcnt.
The bill, Mr.. Morton declared. did not
meet the requirements of the people who
were sending up petitions TO this Lcgis-
lature. in all these petitions. he had
not found one that asked for any other
but the London bill, which meant prohi-
bitlon, pure and simple. If we are TO
yield TO the wishes of the great moral
forces of the State. preachers. good wo-
men and churches; if we are to grant
their wishes. then show me wherein this
bill meets the requirements. stand
ready to put my shoulder to the wheel to ,
help any movement for tho moral up
lifting of the State, that will not con
fiict with the success of the Democratic
party. For l tell you the Democratic
party is OF more benefit to the moral
forces of the State than any prohibition
measure you could pass"
From time immemorial in this State
men had been licensed to sell liquor. /
The principles of government are
older than our forefathers.
Mr.. Watts: IF we SO amend the bill
as to give the people what the moral
forces of North Carolina want, would
YOU vote for it,"
Nf. morton said that if he was here !
t2 lcgialatc in accordance with re5olu-
lions passed by the church conventions. +,