The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-17
THAT CONFLICTS WITH THE
WATTS LAW.


nothing in that provi sion which any
body should object to save the Gistil!-
ers themselves. There is absolutely
nothing in this bill which conflicts with
the principles of the Watts bill. On
the contrary every provision III it is in
furtherance of that principle, ana TO
secure it's application and enforcement.
The clamor against this hi! does not
come from the people. They are not
opposed to ii but are for it. But all
this clamor has it's inspiration solely in
the selfish interest of the distillers,
whose business it will affect. Al pres
ent there are not more than ten or
tw Give towns in the State which this
urohibitory clause Will affect, and
more than half of these are not towns
in any proper sense of that word, but
simply incorporated distilleries.
The principle of the Watts bill fot
which the platform declares is "ade,
ouate and efficient police projections.
Does anybody believe that adequate
and effective police protection can be
had at Williams, q community incor-
porated TO enable the owners OF the
oistillery there tc manufacture whis
KEY? Does anybody believe that Axe
cuate police protection can be secured
1T Shore?
What interest have the people OF
North Carolina ir continuing the eX>
emption given to these rich distiilers:?
Why should the people of North caro-
lima desire that they should be treated
differently from the small distillers?
is there the slightest reason for be-
lieying the statements of these DIS
tillers, their attorneys and friends.
that the bare suggestion of feeding
them out of the same spoon that the
four hundred little 1istillers have been
fed cut of has put the people OF North
Carolina in a state of commot'on.
stirred up a hornets nest and brought
about a crisis in the party? 1t is pre-
rosterous The people are not inter-
ested in the continuance of Williams
and shores and Bailey's liquor BUSH
ress. They do not think any greater
divinity hedges about the investments
Of these rich manufacturers who have
been exempted from the Watts bili
than hedged about the investments of
the four hundred little distillers that
law struck down. If these distilln~s
are to continue their business, and tne
people have no great anxiety that they
should continue it, the people want
that business carried on under tho no.
lice protection of somebody best les
themselves.
This legislation win bring about no
crisis in the Democratic party as is be-
ing vigorously proclaimed by some.
The crisis it. will precipitate will be a
crisis in the business OF a class Of mer
who are now in practical effect doing
business in North Carolina under the
protection of town charters in flagrant
violation and disregard of the purpose.
the spirit, the principle and the letter
of the Watts law. and no legislation
short OF the abolition of these charters
CT driving these distilleries out OF
these little towns can make the prin-
ciple of the Watts Law effective in its
application TO them.
1t is not possible that the parrooms
smaller towns in North Carolina, be-
cause barrooms are supported ty the
local demand, and there will be more
than is necessary to supply that de-
mand This is net true of distillerieS,
us is conclusiveiy shown by the fact
that we have at least five little towns
III The State given over wholly to the
business of making liquor.
The opponents of this provision in
the Ward bill say that it should be
stricken out and that there should be
separate acts abolishing the distiller:'
towns That is the argument o. the
spider to the fly The men who will
vote against the Ward bill Will, as y
rule. vote against separate acts l.
there anybody who believes ii this
LEGISLATURE adjourns without correct
,ug the mistake of the last Legislature
Incorporating silcse distilieries III the
name OF towns and without requiring
effective police protection, which cam
not be had unless the population Of
the town of manufacture is sufficient
~ large to preclude the possibility
Of distillcry domination. that the DEM
ooratic party will not be hurt and
that Williams and Shore will be III is
cue.
Let not the members Of the Lcgisla-
turc be deceived and inisicd by thu
clamor and opportunities OF Mr.. Will
liams and Mr.. shore and Mr.. Alex
Bailey. and those who represent them.
They are not the people. Tie people
are not interested in their business
They have no great anxiety about the
party They are simply Interested il,
securing immunity for their business
Let the members ask Themselves. What
VII, the people say? Let them ask
themselves ii the people are ST enlist.
cd in these .distillcries AID distillery
towns that it would cripple the Den3-