The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-17

who seriously desires prohibition or dis
pensary laws will desire to make them
effective. Senator Simmons has declared
in favor Of a national anti-jug law. 1t
is not equity to forbid people in a terri
tory to sell liquor or permit people out
side to sell it into that territory.
The London bin 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
question of city and county, but of
pOliced and unpoliced districts. But sure
ly any one Will agree with me that to
incorporate a town is not to police it.
Half the incorporated towns in the State
are not really polced They are both
rural and unpoliced. To establish sa-
looms or distilleries in them is as dan
gerous as TO csta blish 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
sa ge, that the sale and manufacture of
intoxicating liquors be rctricted to police
districts.
The London bill also provides that
towns and cities may vote for dispen-
saries in local option elcctions-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, if they will examine
the London bill, and conclude that so
far from being extreme it is both timely
and reasonable.
| should like to say that there is moro
danger in passing too weak legislation
than there is III passing too strong. The
Tcople arc quick to catch compromise
, ard put it under their feet. They are
aroused, and they are in earnest We
must avoid a revelation. State cam
paign is ahead of us under any condi-
tions-no matter what the Assembly shall
do iii that campaign there will be a reck-
oning, and it will determine some things
III North Carolina For tho first time il
history an Anslo-Saxon commonwealt ltl1
has the open opportunity of sclf-govern-
ment The plain people of North Caro-
lima, first suppressed by class distinction
then by the freed negroes, now stand
forth in the arena-the aristocracy hav-
! ing been gathered TO its fathers, the ne
gro vote deStrOyCd-free at last to rule
! The arm of Democracy is free at last
and his sword CLEANS in the sunlight
! The people Will rule from now on in far
greater measure than they have hereto
/ fore. This is to me the most thriline
! fact in American history. We stand to-
day in North Carolina face to face with
the best opportunity that popular gov
/ crnment has ever had. / devoutly thank
! God that that opportunity has come il
/ North Carolina and in my day. | an
glad that d great moral issue marks IL.
7 arrival of this opportunity. 1t will serve
the purpose of cutting off the baser elc.
ment at the very beginning 1t will drive
the wolves from The flock.
Let the thousands and tens ofsthou.-
ands of people who are looking towar(
our capitol this week to be of gooe
courage. Their cause has improved
every hour since the Assembly met. L
will continue to grow in the ratio O
their carncstness. This week may le
termine the question so far as the AS.
semhly is concerned. 1 want the peo~l'
to do this week whatever they can Do l.,
prayer by word CT mouth by letter anC
by any other means to expressing thGii
| Will. In this terrible complisi with tht
monster evil of our timeS-the recOg
/ nized worst cure Of country; tn
open dare on our civilizaticn-We hav
engaged with full knowledge of what !
/ required; net one blow, but thousand
The Legislature will determine on Wha
terms the war shall be waged-on which
side the members shall stand. We mus
go out into the State straight way wit
one determined purpose, namely, not t
rclent until the last saloon has gone or
of business and the last drunkard shall
be saved from the error OF his way.
JOSIAH WILLIAM BAILEY.
February H. 1909
The People Want the Lone on Bill.