The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-04
Watts Bill Wins FaVOra,
able Report.
Continued from First Page.)


that allowed any county to have prohibi-
ton if they wished it.
Mr.. Morton said that all the people
hat had come up here had asked for the
London bill. which was nothing but pro-
hibition for the entire State.
Mr. Watts reminded Mr.. Morton that
he leader of the movement had said they
we're here for the Watts bill, or any
temperance legislation
Mr.. Morton sal dhe did not remember
that.
He then said that the people of Cum
berand had never been satisfied until
they held an election on the question.
He called on Mr. Moore to bear him out
n this.
Mr.. Moore said yes, that was true, but
when they got prohibition they were en-
tirely satisfied. daughter and APP
plause.)
Mr. Watts asked Mr. Morton if he
would not oppose prohibition at any cleo
ton in New Hanover.
Mr.. Morton said he would, that he al
ways opposed prohibition.
Mr.. Curtis asked Mr.. Morton if he had
rot voted for the Cumberland prohibition
two years ago, when he was in the Sen
ate.
Mr.. Morton said he had done so. be-
cause all the parties representing Cum
berland seemed to be agreed, and he al
ways believed in communities having
what the majority wanted He then went
on to say that he disliked to disagree
with Senator Simmons and Governor
Aycock on this matter, and that one man
had even said to him that the factthat the
great Democratic daily, the News and
Observer was in favor of this legislation,
should influence him, because it reflect
ed the will of the majority of the Dem
Ccrats of the State He observed that
while this was a very great compliment
to the News and Observer and it's editor,
he considered that the paper. like the
others. were simply mistaken in the mat
ter.
Mr.. Morton was then going on to speak
of the factory man, cotton mill men, etc,
who had supported the Democratic party.
At that point Mr.. Josephus Daniels,
who was present, asked: Have they left
the party?"
Mr. Morton: mo, they havn't."
Mr. Daniels Voted for it stronger
than ever. didn't they?"
Mr.. Morton: Il don't know about that,
MIR. Daniels
Mr.. Harry Stubs, who is not men,
Der of the committee, secured permis-
ssion to offer an amendment to Mr.. Nor
tons amendment to the effect that the
elections shall not be pcrcmptory. but
that they might be called by petition
Mr.. Smith, of Gates. then asked and
speak to his bill. He expressed himself
as thinking that this General Assembly
could not fail to notice the demands that
were being made upon it by the people
all over the State.
But Mr.. Smith declared that, not only
did the London and the Watts bills dis
criminate between the country people
and the town people, but they utterly
ignored the rights of the people for local
self government, the very fundamental
principle of Democratic doctrine
Mr.. Smith made a very powerful argu-
ment on this point, and said he could
never support either of these bills for
that reason He personally believed in
prohibition, and had never touched
drop of liquor in his life, but he would
never attempt to enforce prohibition
where he did not have the right to do so.
1t was asked what would be obtained
by Mr.. Smiths bill.
Mr.. Stubs declared it would sustain
the great principle that the voice of the
majority of the people was the voice of
God.
1t was brought out during the discus
sion that Mr.. Smiths bill really put the
rhalo
gave every county the right to vote IL
self out of that condition, if it so desired
That is, it puts the burden of the
change upon the liquor men.
Speaking of this, Mr. Stubs declared
THAT violates every principle of Legal
procedure. The burden of proof ought
to be upon the party wishing to make
the change"
Mr.. Watts stated that if Mr. Mortons
amendment should be adopted, nothing
whatever would be accomplished, for that
was the law upon the books
Mr.. Morton: "Do you object to the
majority of the people voting on the
question:"
Mr. Watts: Il most assuredly do"
Mr.. Morton: Then do you propose to
put this law on the statute books without
the people voting on it?"
Mr.. Watts: Il propose to put this law
on the statute books by the vote of the
representatives chosen by the people to
make laws. Does that answer you?"
AS to the Smith bill, Mr.. Watts said
that would put the whole State by the
ears. 1t would require an election in
every town in North Carolina He hoped
that neither Mr.. Morton's amendment
nor Mr.. Smiths substitute would pass,
as either one would actually hurt the
Democratic party.
He then once more asked the commit
tee to do away with the awful curse of
The country distillery and dOggery. He
said the Smith bill simply put the whole
State under prohibition, and allowed
each county to vote itself out of it.
Gen. Bryan then went on to speak of
present as an old temperance man. He
wished to address himself to the remarks
of the chairman of this committee, that
all the distillers violated the law, and
lied about their liquor.
Mr.. Watts asked him If they did not
lie as a matter of fact, if he did not know
they did.
Gen. BRYAN said he could not say they
perjured themselves. that he did not
know any more than Mr.. Watts did