Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-05-25
THE FIGHT FOR TEMPERANCE

Assassinations growing out OF the
fight for temperance or prohibition Of
the liquor traffic are sufficiently ex.
ceptional to attract special attention.
Murder and manslaughter in plenty
has been brought about by rum, but
1t is generally assumed that man
may express at any time and place
his enmity for rum and the rum traf.
fc without jeopardizing his life.
This generally accepted condition
of the public mind has its exceptions,
and a most notable instance was the
killing of Congressman John NJ. Pimck.
1ey at Hampstead, Texas, while
'peaking at local option meeting.
Brief cable dispatches told of the
murder Of Pickney. The full details
# the AFFAIR appear in recent issue
t the New Voice. Hawaii is some
ines put down as the ne plus ultra
Il all that Is exciting and bad, but the
perusal of the following brief outline
of how lives were sacrificed in Texas
must convince the average reader
that this Is the vale of peace and po-
litiCal propriety. The account says:
THE tragedy Is the direct outcome
OF whisky's determination to domi-
nate. Some years ago Waller county
began radical Prohibition move.
ment. The county election Of April
20 gave the Prohibitionists the vic.
tory. But the whiskyites were rabid,
and II looked as though the law
against liquor selling could not be en-
forced without aid from the State. A
mass meetings of citizens was called
to discuss the situation. particularly
as touching a petition signed by many
Hampstead people, and addressed to
the Governor.
''R. T.. Tompkins, private secretary
to Congressman Pinckney, called the
meeting to order and was proceeding
10 state its object when he was rough.
ly interrupted by Captain Brown. who
was drunk. He was quoted by his
son, and the speech was finished &.
Congressman Pinckney then spoke on
the side OF law and order and was vo.
ciferOusly Cheered.
Again his secretary took the stand
and again Brown interrupted, this
time using violence. Then pistols
flashed out and in a few minutes
three men were dead and two serious
ly wounded
"ROlan Brown, son of the whisky
. lawyer. who began the shooting, was
today placed under arrest. and, 1t IL
said, practically admits that he fired
the shot which killed Representative
John NJ. Pinckney. He stated that
his father was under the influence OF
intoXiCants when he attended the
meeting, and that he (the SOM at
tempted to dissuade him from attend
ing. His father was firm, however, In
his intention, and went to the meet,
ing. The son followed and took part
in the shooting.
ut has been established that the
trouble began when Captain Brown
attempted to secure recognition 10
speak at the meeting. He was drunk
and his language was offensive to
several ladies present and the fusil
.GdC began Immediately afterward
Congressman Pinckney was shot -four
times and almost instantly killed
Thomas Pinckney. his brother. was
shot twice in the back. and Captain
Brown received a bullet through the
heart. John L. Mills, the remaining
victim, took no part in the affair and
was accidentally killed by a stray bull.
let"
Two things are very apparent in
this sad incident. First. that the days
when men are ready to face danger
in support OF principle are not pass.
ed. Second, that our country still
gives evidence that the gun-play of
good old pioneer days" Is too fire.
quently resorted to.
In its local application, this affair
naturally causes the people to look
over the array Of temperance workers
somewhat critically. How many OF
the local Anti Saloon League would
support their cause with the physical
courage shown by this Congressman
and his associates? II is an old say.
ing that there's no telling how far n
toad will jump. but we are inclined to