The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-07
THE WATTS LAW IN THE CAM
PAIGN.

AT the Republican State Convention
| the National Committeeman of that
party was Kissed because he protested
against the platform declaration MAX
! ing the Whiskey Barrel the emblem of
the Republican party in North Caro-
lima. Later on, for that reason and
| because he refused to sit down at dim
ner with a negro, he was refused re-
election on the National Committee.
The Republicans started their cam
peign with war on the Watts law,
which had been passed by the Demo-
cratic Legislature. When brought be-
fore the General Assembly it
! was not party measure, though
| Governor Aycock and Senator Sim
mons gave it their approval
| in fact assisted in drawing the bill
or did actually write it, There was
| difference of opinion among Demo-
cratic legislators as to the wisdom of
the Watts bill, and there was division
upon it in the Legislature, but the
| bill became d law and the Democratic
=
! the praise or the Blame for its pass
age. The Republicans officially de-
nounCed it in their platform. When
| the Democrats met in State ConVen-
| ton at Greensboro there was some
division of sentiment as to the posi-
ton that ought to be taken upon the
Watts law After long deliberation
tee presented the following declara-
ton:
1--WE approve the general principles
of the Watts law regulating the sale
CT liquors and limiting the same to
localities in which there may be ade-
quate police protection. The principle
that no saloon or still shall operate
except under police protection is as
sound as the principle that Whiskey
shall not be sold to minors, to drunk
ards. or on Sundays or near the
schools and churches. The General
Assembly has the power and when
controlled by the Democratic. party
can be trusted to make all amend
ments that experience and conditions
may demonstrate to be wise and
proper
That is the declaration of .he
Democratic party, adopted unanimous
ly by the State Convention. No Demo-
crat has any right to add thereto or
take thercfrom. Upon that declafa-
ten the party must stand or fall. The
Watts law may not be perfect, but
every Democratic candidate, whether
he favors it or not, must stand upon
thfs declaration: 1.-The principle that
no saloon or still shall operate except
under police protection is as sound as
the principle that whisllcy shall not be
sold to minors, to drunllards, or on
Sundays or near the schools and
churches"
Upon that principle the Democratic
party will make it's fight. The men who
represent the party on the stump have
no commission to make any promise
inconsistent with that declaration, and
if any candidate makes any such
pledge he is violating the platform of
his party.
No candidate or official of the party
has a right to make a platform for
the party. Only the State Convention
can formulate the issues of
the campaign. What the Cover
nor thinks. what the Senator
thinks, or what any candidate thinks
about any question upon which the
party has not spoken is entitled to
only such weight as the reason he
gives for his opinion entities it to re-
ceive. But when the State Democracy
through the State platform, speaks,
then that is the only utterance upon
that subject that binds the. party.
OF course there are Democrats who
dc not approve the Watts law declar-
alton of the platform. This is true
doubtless, of every other declaration
in the platform 1t is certain that
the ''conspiratcrs' despise the plank
fcrbidding the payment of the State
bonds they hold except upon the terms
fined in the settlement of 1879. Some
may not approve the bold and wise
platform upon the educational policy.
AS individuals, they have a right to
their own views. and at the next State
Convention they can try to get the
party to come around to their views if
they desire. But until then, they must
stand on the Democratic platform. AS
Mr.. Cleveland happily put it in 1892,
when he was the Dartys candidate, all
Democrats should submit to the ar
bitrament of the National Convention"
That is as true now as then and as
true of the State, as of the national,
convention.
There is but one course for Demo
Gratis to pursue with reference to the
Watts law: Stand firmly by the party