The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-15

| tory to sell liquor or permit people out
side to sell it into that territory.
The London bill also calls for limiting
| the incorporated laws in whichh liquor
may be sold or manufactured, by popula-
ton. This is simply calculated to work
effectual the legislation contemplated in
/ the Watts bill. That bill aims to pro-
tect the unpoliced districts-not merely
the rural districts. To base the argument
on rural districts will agravate the legis-
lation against discrimination. 1t is not
a question of city and county, but OF
policed and unpoliced districts. But sure
ly any one will agree with me that to
incorporate town is not to police it.
Half the incorporated towns in the State
are not really pcliced. They are both
rural and unpoliced. To establish sa-
looms or distilleries in them is as dan
gerous as to establish them in the back
woods The London bill simply makes
the Watts bill effective-and it is based
upon the governors advice in his mes
sage, that the sale and manufacture of
| intoxicating liquors be retricted to police
districts
The London bill also provides that
towns and cities may vote for dispen-
saries in local option elections-a pro-
vision that is called for in the Murphy
bill and the Smith BILL and that all sides
recognize as right and reasonable. The
dispensary is constructive. The saloon
Is destructive.
So then l think the gentlemen of the
General Assembly will undergo Senator
Godwin's experience. il they will examine
the London bill, and conclude that so
Tar from being extreme it is both timely
and reasonable.
l should like to say that there is more
danger in passing too weak legislation
! IMAM there is in passing too strong. The
People are quick to catch compromise
ana put it under their feet They are
aroused. and they are in earnest. We
must avoid revelation. A State cam
palgn is ahead of us under any condi-
tons-no matter what the Assembly shall
40 In that campaign there will be a reck-
oning, and it will determine some things
In North Carolina. For the first time in
history an Anglo-Saxon commonwealth
mas the open opportunity of self govern
nlent. The plain people of North Caro-
INA, nrst suppressed by class distinction
then by the freed negroes now stand
ioIth IN the arena-the ariStocracy hay-
ing Deen gathered to its fathers, the ne
gro vote destroyed-free at last to rule.
Inc arm or Democracy is free at last.
ana MS sword CLEANS in the sunlight.
Inc people will rule from now on in far
ereater measure than they have hereto.
tore. Inls is to me the most thrilling
TACT In American history. We stand to-
day IN North Carolina face to face with
the pest opportunity that popular gov
erhneht has ever had. | devoutly thank
1od that that opportunity has come in
Nortn Carolina and in my day. | am
gao that great moral issue marks the
arrival of this opportunity. 1t will serve
the purpose of cutting off the baser ele-
ment at the very beginning 1t will drive
the wolves from The flock.
Let the thousands and tens of thous-
ahds OF people who are looking toward
our capitol this week to be of good
courage. Their cause has improved
every hour since the Assembly met II
VIII continue to grow in the ratio of
their earnestness This week may DO
termlne the question so far as the As
semhly is concerned. I want tho ne,~1e
10 90 this week whatever they can DO Iv
prayer by word of mouth nv lettar and
ny any other means to expressing their
will. In this terrible commits; With ,bo
monster evil of our times-the recog-
hiZeu worst cure of our country; the
open dare on our civilization-we have
engaged with full knowledge of what :,
required; net one blow, but a Thousand
The Legislature will determine on what
terms the war shall be waged-on which
side the members shall stand. We must
so out into the State straight wav wit,
one determined Durnose nap,oI, ~.
Ielent until the last saloon has gone our
of business and the last drunkard shall,
be saved from the error of his way.
JOSIAH WILLIAM BAILEY.
February II, 1908.