The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1903-02-14
BISHOP GALLOWAY
FAYORS LOCAL OPTION.
he Declares Opposition to Statutory
Prohibition : He Would Not See
Cause Of Prohibition Dragged Into
Politics In mississippi.


al prohibition, but he sets forth some
logical reasons why statutory prohibi-
ton law should not be placed on the
books. The address is as follows:
BISHOPS ADDRESS.
| Urgent letters from honored friends in
different parts OF the. State, soliciting
some expression OF my views on the
prohibition question in Mississippi in
duce me, with a measure Of reluctance to
make a brief statement. Extended alb
-sence from home and exacting official
duties, suggested the propriety of with
holding any expression on the subject or
| any active participation in the move-
ment. But respect for these valued
frieds and lifelong devotion to this great
reform, seem to deman some response.
Having signed the,first call for State
prohibition convention, and having been
actively connected with the caus e
through all the intervening years, may
be pardoned in having deep solicitude
for its future success.
With the verious views entertained by
the friends Of reform as is the best me-
thods OF procedure, to all of whom
Should be accorded equal honesty and
fidelity, ] am familiar: Singularly un-
tied in principle, we have, OF course,
d;ffo,.oI ~. d, ,,,atl,o1o
My first suggestion to friends who
have SO kindly written is, that we adhere
rfgidly to the strictly non-partisan course
adopted in the beginning. In our first
convention held in 1881, an official adj
dress was issued, in which these words
occur: eve have nothing to do with
party politics." And in the last State
prohibition convention held several
years ago, this language is found in the
platform OF principles;.
"We reaffiIm the declaration made by
the first State. prohibition convention,
July 20th, 1881, and frequently repeated
that the cause OF prohibition should be
disintanoled from party politics. With
out disturbing the party affiliations Of
any citizen, we ask his support OF this
great reform which should be sacredly
enthroned above the contests for mere
place and power"
And to those declarations we have
jealously and consistently adhered, We
have not sought the organization OF a
political party, nor attempted the dis
ruption or disintegration Of either
Of the great parties, or even asked
for recognition. Our appeal has been
to individual citizens to aid us in sup
pressing the iniquitous liquor traffic.
Time after tune, resolutions were vot-
ed down that proposed making formal
demands on the great political organiza
tions. Some friend who held this view,
organized political party, called Q
State convention, had an executive COM
-mittee and placed presidential electors
| in the field, and SO far as know theiI
organization has never been dissolved,
With that view have never had sympa-
thy such a policy, in my judgment
would have been fatal to our cause in
Mississippi. There is not single line
of any restrictive law on the statute
books Of any commonwealth in America
placed there by the agency Of a prohi-
bition party.
/ AS we have, therefore, always declin-
ed to ask even recognition from political
parties, could not favor resolution
which proposes to interrogate candida
tes for political office and exact pledges
on this issue: That would inevitably
be source of hurtful irritation.
Now as to the suggestion for some ad'
ditional Legislation: The admirable law
we now have, which might be much i'm
proved in several important particulars
was given after repeated and earnest So
licitation by the prohibitionists of Mis-
sissippi.in State convention assembled
has given trial.
| Whatever its merits or demerits,i it wat
asked for by the friends Of reform them
selves. And no one can question lis
great efficiency
The last prohibition convention made
this deliyerance: "We are pleased anC
encouraged at the large results achieved
underline efficient operation Of our pre-.
sent local option lava measure emf.
nently yht in principle and enacted by
the Legislature in response TO the unit
ed and intelligent voiceof the friends O.
lreform throughout the State. BY it,
Iprovisions very large part OF the COM
l.monwealth has been redeemed from the
/ saloon, while its educatiye influence hai
been extensive and potential"
! Now it seems to me that If we are Il
lchange this statute, and adopt differ.
ent policy, our only logical hope is Z
enthrone this principle in our organic
ilaw. Let US not temporize with sim
pie statute with an inevitable campaign
j Of irritation and reaction, but give tn,
4 people an opportunity to ask whether o
4 not prohibition shall be part of ou
| constitution.
| That has been from the beginning tn
declared purpose Of prohibitionists. Nov
il If our friends think the time has come t
81 engraft this doctrine on our organic law
\ it win be my pleasure to heartily co
| operate. But to my mind it would b
4 illogical and unwise to seek a simpl
statute which would serve as repeal 0
our present laws, and, ! capitally fear
4 would retard rather than speed the da.
lof constitutional prohibition.
|. CHAS. B. GALLOWAY.