The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-08
CENTRAL COMMITTEE


ton, being announced by Chairman Lon
don:
TO NAME CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Q. X Nimocks. A. d. Belts, ], w. Nc
Nell. r. l.. Davis. c. w. Blanchard, j. A.
Smith. F. d. Swindell, S. NJ. Smith. Nj.
W. Butler.
TO NOMINATE EXECUTIVE COMMIT
TEE, one from each county-Josephus
Daniels j. E. Peterson, DIR. Herndon, j. A.
Goodman. F. L. Bundy, w. H. Worth, j..
r. Mendenhall, C. S. Cashwell.
ON LAW ENFORCEMENT-H. A. Page,
Thad Jones. j. H. Pou, r. l.. Patton, w.
L. Cunninggim, C. C. Hubbard, A. +.
Tyer, r. N. Simms. A. A. Butler. A. +.
johnson.
ON LAW IMPROVEMENTS K. MINI
ocks. C. H. Poe r. H. Whitaker, j. NJ.
billiard, A. C. McAlister, w. L. Poteat,
]. j. Rogers. H. w. Battle. w. w. Orr,
j. w. Bryan.
ON FIELD WORK AND FINANCE
]. E. Underwood, ]. r. Marshall, c. j. D..
Parker, G. L. Merrill, ]. A. Stradley, J. E.
Smith. E. E. Gillespie, A. d. Watts, M. A.
Adams. Henry Sheets.
The chairman OF each of these commit
tees called a meeting of his committee to
be held during the dinner recess.
At quarter past one recess was taken
until half past three o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Promptly at half past three o'clock
Chairman London called the convention
ton to order again and asked for reports
of committees. if any were ready. Chair
man j. E. Underwood announced that the
Committee on Field Work and Finances
was ready, and this was called for and
read by the secretary, Mr.. G. ]. D..
Parker, as follows: Your Committee on
Field. work and Finance. recommend as
follows:
Il. That five thousand dollars be raised
for the prosecution of the work of the
Anti-Saloon League during the year
go. That pledges be taken during this
convention for this amount.
So That two field secretaries, the best
men available, be appointed to organize
the work, one to operate west Of Greens
horo, the other east
Action on this report was postponed for
the present.
The committee to name Central Exc
cutive Committee reported the following
names: N. B. Broughton, T. N. Ivey, ].
A. Oates, l. c. Blair, A. j. McKelway, J
o. Atkinson, ]. w. Bailey, ]. l. Johnson
and w. H. Sprunt
SPEECH OF MR.. HENRY A. PAGE
The enforcement of the Watts bill with
reference to country distillers was the
topic of the address of Mr.. Henry A. Page,
who said:
The proper enforcement of any and
all law depends upon two things. First.
honest officers, and second, public SEN
timent, general respect for law behind the
officer. We were here last winter ask
ing the Legislature for the enactment OF
laws for the control and restriction OF the
LIQUOR business, and we told them very
plainly what we wanted. We did not get
what we wanted, save in this one clause
with reference to country distilleries, and
we were told by these law makers that we
we're asking too much, that public senti-
ment would not support the Watts bill
even. and that it would fail of enforce
ment for this reason. We shall be here
next time the legislature is in session
asking again for the enactment of those
important features of the London bill
which the Watts bill does not carry, and
it is up to US. if l may use the term, 10
show these timid statesmen that the
crumb of law they gave us can be en-
forced. With this task before US. let US
look the situation squarely in the face,
and count the cost before hand. We may
he sure that the attitude of the distillers
is one of resentment and defiance. mo
rogue ever felt the halter draw with good
opinion OF the law" and the distiller may
be counted on to defy the Watts bill, in
localities where he thinks it is safe to
do so. and to evade it everywhere. Wits
l<ev-maker is but another name for law
areal<er. No man who loves law and
order can begin the business, and if he
could begin it, he could not long remain
n whiskev stiller and at the same time
Iaw-abiding citizen. The whole accursed
business is the cradle and nursing bottle
of lawlessness and violence 1t is well
known that laws on our statute books
ntrporting to regulate and control this
business. prior to the enactment of the
Watts bill. have been generally disregard
cd and violated. Sales have been made in
quantities prohibited by law, taxes evaded.
and in many cases the stuff has been sold
nj less than the proper tax. We cannot
then expect the distiller to respect the
Watts law. except as he rs made TO do
so. some OF bHEIu Will aAACfD tADA@A 49,
dark corners they have already de-
bauched. into tsill darker corners and
swamps. and continue to make whiskey
and sell whiskey in defiance OF all law
Others will sim evade the law while pre-
tending to comply with its provisions,
change their licenses to brandy distillers,
make whiskey at night, with the con-
nivance of the storekeepers and guagers.
as heretofore. We have nothing then but
opposition and antagonism to expect from
the distilers What of their neighbors
and customers? Can we hope for coop
Grafton from them? Let us see. Where
rave the distiIleries been located? In pros
rerous enlightened communities No.
these have been closed to them, and had
access there been possible that is the last
place upon earth distiler would choose
at which to conduct his business. In
telligence instinctively fights evn. and
insists upon obedience to law. and the
distiller knows it, hence he has avoided
these communities The already dark cor
ners where ignorance is the rule and vice