davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
Temperance Legislation.

To the Editor: Previous to the consti-
tutional amendment, the negro vote held
the key to the political situation in North
Carolina. Since the amendment tae
Democratic party has swept the
State. The Republican party has
gone into winter quarters, and of
course are going to stay there, unless
they can get out. What has this to do
with temperance legislation or the Lon
don bill? Much. From this time the
Prohibition party will hold the key TO
the situation. l do not like the express
sion, "The Prohibition party" so much,
bat rather the men who stand FOR home,
temperance and righteous government.
Petitions have gone up for the London
bill or some strong legislation against
the liquor traffic. 1 venture the state
ment that more than three-fourths of the
names on these petitions of the qualified
voters either belong to the Prohibition
or Democratic party. The true situa-
tion is, that the shrewd leaders of the
Republican party are aWfully afraid
that the Democratic Legislature will pass
the London bill, thereby securing the
almost solid support and sympathy in the
future Of the men who are and have been
working and waiting for this glorious
day.
So far as the two great parties are
concerned, Democratic and Republican,
if the Democratic Legislature passes the
London bill, the Republican party won't
come out Of winter quarters until Ga
briel blows his trumpet, and they know
it. But if the measure fails, they stand
another chance to make a fight for the
key to the situation. No longer using
the negro, but appealing to good, honest
white men, who are not in the political
push, but who want temperance and good
government.
Their argument will be, You had a
Democratic Legislature and you made an
overwhelming plea for relief but you
failed to get it, therefore, why should
you stand longer by the party that re-
fused to help you when they had all
power to do it. No measure will come
before the present Legislature that will
give it a greater opportunity to make
the Democratic party impregnable in
North Carolina than the London bill or
something equally as strong. While this
should not be a party issue, yet we know
that so far the parties are concerned,
as rule the men who are pleading
for this relief are Democrats, yet we
spect and welcome every honest Re
publican that stands for home, temper
ance. good morals and religion Let this
Legislature forever seal its power in
North Carolina by passing the London
bill or something equally as strong. You
know it is right and righteous, therefore
do the right and fear no man.
]. S. JONES.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
He Points Out the Provisions of This Measure
to Regulate Liquor.

Representative L. L. Smith, of Gates.
having been asked as to the special pro-
visions of his bill to regulate the manu-
replied as follows:
My bill is the only bill introduced on
that subject, which recognizes the right
of the people to regulate their own af-
fairs. 1t places the moral responsibility
1Or the manufacture and sale of liquor
upon the people in every community
where it may be manufactured or sold
Both the London bill and Watts bill Ut
terly ignore that principle as to all the
people except Incorporated towns, hav-
ing a population of 500 or 1000. That
is clear discrimination which ought
not to obtain in any free government
ment. Let all be treated alike.
Equal privileges to all-and special
privileges to none. Another advantage
of my bill is that under it's provisions,
the manufacture and the sale by saloons
and the sale by dispensaries can all be
determined in one election, or any one OF
any two of those questions.
Give the people q chance, and sooner
or later they viii do right
"a Representative has no right to take
snap judgment on the people. Before /
would do so, | would resign my seat It
would be wrong to deceive the people
even in the attempt to bring about
moral reform.
'FIn every locality where the temper
ance sentiment prevails, there would be
no election, and the manufacture and
sale would stop by common consent. No
law without the consent of the governed
Is effective.
There are thousands of free and irde-
pendent North CarClinians who would
not think Of assuming the moral reSpon-
sibility for the sale of liquor in their
communities, who, nevertheless, would
resent any attempt to force them into
a position not Of their own choosing. The
principle Of local self government in the
several counties bears the same relation
to the State, that the doctrine of State
soverei ignty bears to the nation
Tho latter was firmly upheld by the
Supreme Court Of the United States in
the comparatively recent case of Beck
ham VS. Taylor, from Kentucky
May the former never perish in the
house of its friends in North Caro-
lima"
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
]. w. BAILEY,

opposed to introducing. But they have
no kick coming to them on that score,
for if they only represent the liquor in
terest they do not represent the best
element of the people. Touching the
matter Of representation, between the
two men, DR.. Pegram or the Hon. John
Quincy Adams Bryan, the latter is By
far the most consistent. The writer is
neither a church member nor a prohi-
bitionist but do believe in morality and
sobriety. I notice that DR. Pegram is not
in favor of giving the Estate" of Wilkes
any temperance legislation because it
was not brought up in the campaign in
which he was elected. He also says in
his speech, 1--WE make the whiskey in
Wilkes but we do not drink it," That IS
so, they do make as vile stuff as ever
went down the throat of any topper, but
wish to thank the good Doctor first and
serve notice on him later, that wo do not
need any Of his liquor up in Watauga de-
bauching the manhood and morals of this
community.
I am sorry for the Doctors whiskey-
making deacon who runs distillery with
in 500 yards of his church, who never
gets drunk, and who does not tolerate
drunkenness around his place OF course
the deacon does not tolerate drunken
ness around his place: But the wonder
is, how in the world the church and the
surrounding community tolerate that dea-
con.
That there are plenty of good people
in Wilkes l know full we'll; so, also
there were, it IS said some few good
people in Sodom. but they kept on fiddling
away, needing not the voice of the angel
who came to warn them, and were en-
quilted in the general catastrophe that
overthrow the cities of the plain.
T. L. LOWE.
Banners Elk, N. c., Jan. %, 1908
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
DOWNRIGHT FUNNY.

Monroe Enquirer.
The liquor men have raised the cry
that any temperance Legislation will in
jure the Democratic party. Let it hurt,
if passing laws restricting the liquor
evil in this State will hurt the Demo-
cratic party. 1T is downright funny to
hear some Of the hired attorneys Of the
liquor makers and dealers talk about
the ruination of the Democratic party il
any stringent liquor law is passed. If
the Democratic party has stood II to
have these fellows. who are prophseying
its downfall in it all these years. it is
tough enough TO stand anything. II the
Democratic party depends upon the Ii
quor men for existence, then II has cx-
listed long enough.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
THERE WERE GOOD MEN IN soDoM.
They We're Like the nistilling Deacon IN
Wilkes County and Were Engusfed.

To the Editor: Bearing upon the tenn
r.crance question the editorial in Sun
days News and Observer was a perfect
gem. It should be read by everybody
without regard to creed or profession.
Among the many good things, l hnd
The following: 'Some OF the whiskey
attorneys who have assumed the guar
dianship Of the Democratic party, need 10
be reminded that there are party leaders,
getting no fees from the whiskey mon,
quite as deeply concerned for the sue
cess of the party as they are, and 1uliy
as competent to guide its policy, and
again IF such legislation drives the
distiIlers and saloon-keepcrs and thels
friends out Of the Democratic party, We
say as Horace Greedy said about lne
Southern sisters Let them go III peace.
If the price of their support is to continue
this stream OF evil that goes out from
them then the price is too high to pay
for it," Words well and aptly spoken.
The great Democratic party is founded
on morality and what is not moral is not
Democratic
The good people of Banners Elk wish
to tonder to 50 members of the House
a sincere vote of thanks for helping them
got rid Of tho greatest curse they were
ever afflicted with by Incorporating the
Lees MacRae Institute here at this place.
As sister county, Watauga is ma
tura1ly interested in whatever affects the
moral welfare of Wilkes, and the good
people of Watauga would be glad to see
her sister on the road to reformation
No doubt the two gentlemen who nave
the honor to represent Wilkes Ito some
extent feel just a little irritated be
calse q representative from another conn-
tv introduces a bill which portion OF
their constituents think they would be
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
" Hat Is RIGHT?
Elder P Gold Writes on the Agitation Con-
corning the Liquor Traffic.

There is much agitation concerning
the liquor traffic in this State now.
Quite a change in view of this question
is being taken. general impression is
fastening on the people that there is
great danger arising to our population
because Of such traffic and drinking, and
that the bar-room business is responsible
for much Of it. Old men are becoming
anxious about their sons. Taxpayers
are feeling the burden of paying for
so much wrong-doing. Women are often
cursed with drunken husbands Child
rcn are deprived of the benefit of edu-
cation, and disgraced with drunken faith
ers. Mothers are made wretched on ac-
count of debauched sons. and sons-in-
law.
The people at large are seriously con-
sidering a remedy for this monstrous
evil of dTunkenness-that units the ma
turally brightest men for usefulness,
that prevents talent that paralyses in
dustries, that cause many wretched
men a blot on society. The people
are feeling that the bar-rooms are re-
Sponsible for much of it-that we all
guilty in licensing the manufacture and
traffic in liquor. Many men engage iE
thre sale Of liquor no doubt, that
would much prefer to earn a living some
other way than in encouraging drunk
enneSS.
Now what should be done? Suppose 4
law were passed at this Legislature COM
pelling every man engaged in the liquor
traffic to abandon his business at once
Would that be right? Would that be
treating that class Of men fair? No. It
would not Why? The State authorities
them grants license to them to sell.
True the fact that the State grants GER
tain ones license to do this is an ad-
mission that they have not natural
right to make or sell it, A farmer does
not have to take out license to farm.
He has a natural right to do this with
out paying anything for the privilege.
But when a man buys a license or per
mission to sell liquors he has legal
right to do this. That State authorizes
him to do this. It has sold him the
privilege. Would it not be wrong for the
State to take that right away from him
before his time expires? Yes. He per-
haps has rented a house in which to
sell it, and has bought stock of Ii
ouors Now it would work 4 hardship
on him to compel him to lose all this
Give him a reasonable time to get rid
Of his stock, and let his term expire.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
A HEAVY DARK CLOUD.


In most respects Johnston compares
favorably with the best counties in the
State It's largeness, it's many farms
owned mainly by the people living on
them, its railroad facilities, its good gov
ernment and many other things make
it a desirable place to live. But in at
least one respect Johnston is behind many
other counties. 1t is greatly behind in
temperance reform. Liquor drinking has
hung over US as a heavy dark cloud. The
blockade still, the government still, the
open bar and even the dispensary have
ali been literally patronized The Tins
was when nearly everybody drank.
Good people allowed or excused drink
ing. Th. lawyer drank with his client
the merchant with his customer, the
politician with the voter and in some
ca ases the preacher with his flock. Liquor
had to be on hand everywhere-n the
home, at the social gathering, at the
corn shucking and log rolling and at
the political speaking. Liquor flowed like
water. Men worked for it, spent money
for it, and, it seemed, almost lived for
i. Not only did men drink but many OF
the women drank also and the cup was
put to the mouth of children before they
Knew what they were doing. But things
have changed and are still changing. We
have learned better way. We thor
oughly tried liquor and are tired of tn.
burden. The cloud is still over US but it
is not so heavy and dark and we see
signs of its passing away. We realize
mere and more that no reform is. worth
the name if it does not hit liquor The
churches and schools are against It,,
social life and business are turning
against liquor as an enemy and arc de-
terrnined to drive it out
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
The Press on Temperance
Legislation.
Atlanta, Ga. Jan. 80.
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.

Webster's weekly.
We heartily endorse Gov. Aycock' $
recommendations. They are wise, safe
and conservative. The country groS
shop ard distillcrv constitute the most
dangerous and debauching feature OF the
business Liquor ought not to be sold
where there is no police supervision and
protection Drive it into the incorporated
towns, and be careful that It's sale IS lot
restored where the people have voted it
out as the Governor pointcdly says. We
ought to say in this correction that Ine
present Legislature should take the nc
ccssary means to see that no towns arc
incorporated to make a place for a bar
room
Mr.. London. of Cha than, has also in
troduced a bill embodying the Governor g
recommendations and in addition those
OF the AntiSa loon League. 1t restricts
the sale of whiskey to Incorporated towns
having q population CT not less than 500.
and it's manufacture to towns of not less
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03

than 900 population. II goes further and
puts the whole State on prohibition ba-
sis pending an affirmative vote for sa-
looms Or dispensaries in incorporated
towns. One who desires license to man
ufacture or sell liquor must first secure
the signatures of majority OF the peo-
pie of the community to a petition re-
questing that license be granted hir.
This bill is unwise and in advance OF
public sentiment. It's enactment would
cause q world of trouble and do very lit
tie good. The rcasonableness of a law
is the surest guarantee OF its enforce
ment Arbitrary prohibition would ag-
gravate the trouble. The sale of whis-
key car not be broken up by legislative
trick, such as is proposed by the Anti
Saloon Leagues bill
We favor the Watts bill substantially
as it stands. 1t ought to be amended in
one or two particulars, however Every
incorporated town should have the priv
ilege Of voting every two years upon the
question whether it will have prohibition,
saloons or dispensary.
Leave to every Incorporated town TO
say how it viii deal with the evil Don't
force it one way or the other. Break up
the retail feature of the government dis
lllle1y. FOTDlu IL 10 sell except IN un-
broken packages. Impose an adequate
State tax on all barrooms, distilleries
and rectifying establishments. Tennes-
see gets $2150o0 annually from this
source. Virginia gets $4,000. North
Carolina gets only about $4,000. Eghty
per cent. of the States population live III
the country, and the removal of the grog
shop and distillery, with their demoral-
izing influences, from their midst, and
thus giving the churches, schools and
other uplifting agencies a clear field, will
be a great stride forward. It has been
done already in two-thirds of the coun-
ties and the time is ripe for its appica
ton to the remainder. Amend the Watts
bill along the line suggested by Senator
Simmons, to-wit: let each town decide
for itself whether it will have prohibi-
ton, saloons or dispensary and it will
meet the demands of the hour. 1t will
not suit the extremists on either side,
but will meet the approval of 90 per cent.
of the people. Whatever legislation may
be enacted along this line by the present
Legislature, let it be absolute, and under
no circumstances let it be submitted 20
the people for ratification or rejection.
Deliver us from another State election
on the whiskey question:!
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03

liquor traffic, is fair and good bill and
should be enacted into a law. 1t pro-
Vides for the opening Of a saloon or a
dispensary on the vote Of the people If
thy want it, and if they prefer no liquor
their votes Will settle the question in
any town, city or county. The bill also
gives ample protection to d1ibition ter
ritory by preventing the importation of
intoxicating liquors into it. The bill
Will perhaps be somewhat modified
compromise between its advocates and
those of the Watts bill also pending be-
fore the Legislature. The Press favors
the London Bill.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
RALEIGH. N. C.. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1902

Treat him fairly. Give him due notice
and opportunity to close up his business,
and engage in some other occupation,
ard soon he Will be glad of his betteTed
condition.
Can there not be an arrangement, rath-
er an understanding, that the people in
an amicable way may be freed from this
unwise and hurtful business, so that our
people may be engaged in better pur-
suits, and all be benefited? Can not
this be done in a friendly way which
evidently will in the end better all classes
of our people?
Let US not pass laws to wrong any
man, but enact laws that will benefit
men i'll all useful pursuits and that will
encourage all men to engage il useful
occupations.
n GOLD
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
THE BATTLE HAS ONLY BEGUN
Every Ounce of Influence Should be Exerted to Secure
Effective LEGISLATION.


the for rtcnper
lame
We
the b tile for
t
the
back
yours.
january o. j.
S. League.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
1T WILL DO GOOD.
North Carolina Baptist.

The Sunday issue of the News and
Observer January 25th) is the strong
est temperance paper gotten out by any
North Carolina secular paper, we must
believe, during the past ten years. A
cartoon represents the procession Of
drink, headed by the distillcr, the whole
ea1er, the saloon keeper. and wound up
with the drunkard. tho murderer. the
convict. And Editor Daniels sums up
the situation w;th terrible arraignmcnt
OF the paid lobbyist. with the fec Of the
liquor dealers in his pocket. who takes
it upon himself to advise about policies
OF State and tho arraignment is just.
That issue Of the paper will do good.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
w. GRADY
ON THE WHISKEY TRAFFIC.

humbIe
of
evi efromth tseIf
shut out.
a an tCoerC rage
S to bu merCi in
O
the that
dat
stoodb dJercho
to to human
0
o with silence
wrecksth his world.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
PROHIBITION HELPS IT.

Sampson Democrat
The Sampson Democrat OF last "H' 4
commented cditorially upon 'hc fr' .li'
progress and growth OF the town ~ ''li q
ton wnica is indeed gratifying and IS 2ra-
c-alIy alv1ys the case With Pr"al5itiGa
towns and when Sampson county haf
law also preventing the shipping ~ Iqlr-
into the county there Viii b" seen "f'fF-
where continued evidence or growth an
progress.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
1T IS wERABLE.

Nashville Graphic
The value Of sundays edition or the
News and Obsrr4cr. the States leading
newspaper. cannot be estim.atod its
sound argument ln behalf Of temper
ance legislation arc unanawerable by
the liquor mon and their hirclinga Tpe
large half page picture which truly rct
rcsents the conditions was quite sugg9a
tive and it Is a pity every whisk'y drink
cr in the state did not get a copy of the
paper
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03

righteousness of which they admit and
their apology is confession likewise
that they expect wholesome temperance
legislation. AS Governor Vance well said
in the Prohibition campaign of 1884 when
approached by old Dr.. Abernathy, of
Rutherford College, when the gospel
and its ministry, the good women and
best manhood of the country all on
one side, My God, Alternately, where else
can a man be?''
We repeat, Where else can q man DE?
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
1T IS A MIGHTY STRUGGLE.
Charity and Children.

We are extremely interested in the
struggle now on between the forces of
darkness and light in Raleigh. The devil
is doing some fine work there. as he is
in the habit of doing everywhere; but
we must hope that our lawmakers will
not turn deaf car to the voice Of North
Carolina, who are not SO dcpraved as to
stand on the whiskey side. Legislators
who are deceived by the false alarm
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
AND THE OTHERS. TOO

Webster's Weekly.
judges II the stamp Of Shaw. Allen,
Hoke and Brown. travelling over the
State expounding tho true principle ~
tho law and administering il without fear.
favor of affection, are worth their weight
in diamonds.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-03
SHOULD NOT DISAPPOINT THE PEG
PIE

Duplin Journal.
The News and Observer Of Sunday was
a temperance issue indeed, and the
large whiskey procession cartoon with
one sheet of temperance editorial viii
be heartily appreciated by the white peo
pie of the State who are looking to the
present Legislature for the realization OF
their Temperance anticipations. May they
not be disappointed. This is the oppor-
tunity Of the Democratic party to redeem
its pledges Of good government oconomi-
cally administered for the bettermant
and welfare Of the who'll people of the
State. Let the party not forget its great
mission at this most opportune time.
Should this General Assembly not full
fill the anticipat;ons of the great majority
of the white people of the State how
great Will be their disappointment. Even
many Of the whiskey distNlers voted
against the suffrage amendment because
they knew that without the negro vote
they could not stay the coming temper
ance awakening. Will the Democratic par
ty fail to come up to the standard Of
the liquor men
The hired attorneys of the Liquor forces
now lobbying in Raleigh excuse their
own position on the grounds Of being hiI
ed to fight the temperance cause the