Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-12-12

phasizes this question? These facts
alone give our district unique and en-
viable standing at Washington that
will make us proud of ourselves in the
onward sweep of temperance legisla-
tion. Gentlemen, / am proud of the
fact that Bascom Slemp could truth
fully say in his speech of acceptance
that in order to stand on the temperance
plank of this platform he neither had to
change his personal habits nor his opin-
ions. A young man who has been in
public life as long as Mr. Slemp and who
can make such a declaration as this in
truth and soberness, is man entitled to
our support in every way. The size of
the majority for Slemp on the 18th inst.
will show what the temperance vote is
worth in this district. 1t will serve
notice on all parties who do not fly the
temperance banner that they need not
expect the temperance vote.
The great work of the Anti-Saloon
League is and has been for years to
bring such pressure to bear upon the
|
will secure effective temperance legis-
lation. Now that we have succeeded
for the first time in making our influence
felt let US show that we are in earnest
about this business.
Now gentlemen, to show that this
tempera ce plank in the Gate City plat
form and its endorsement by the can
didate are not presented to you as a
hasty policy to catch the temperance
vote In this election, let me give you a
bit of history.
Two years and half ago, just before
the State Republican Convention. at
Roanoke, Mr.. Bascom Slemp, as Chair
man of the Republican party of the
State wrote me letter, urging me to
go to Roanoke and secure the adoption
of strong temperance plank in our
State platform. He requested that 90
the day before the convention, to meet
with a committee for the purpose of
blocking out tentative platform to be
presented to the regular committee or
platform when appointed by the con.
vention. l prepared such resolution,
which went much further and was much
stronger than the provisions of the
Mann bill. presented this and argued
it before that committee on the night
before the convention. By the aid of
Mr.. Slemp l succeeded in having it in
corporated in the tentative platform.
l am sorry to say, however, that when
the regular committee got hold of our
temperance plank they reduced its pro-
portions to a declaration for local op-
ton.
A few days before the Gate CITY Con-
vention / received a letter from Mr..
Slemp, saying that it looked like he
might be the nominee of the convention.
and asking me in event he was nominat-
ed, if he could rely on me for q few
speeches l promptly replied that
while / was for him against the field
that l could not promise to take an
active part in midwinter campaign and
also on account of pressure of other
duties, which would prevent me from
giving any time away from home dur
ing the campaign. also reminded him
of my knowledge of his position on tenn
perance and suggested that the Gate
City Convention declare for a law of
Congress to prevent the shipping of
liquor into dry territory. AS soon as I
read In the papers that the convention
had incorporated this temperance mea-
sure in the platform and that Mr.. Slemp
had declared that he did not have to
change his personal habits or opinions
In order to stand on that plank, began
to think Oil if you can just get fell
low to go out III the woods and sit down
on a log and think. Well, said. is il
possible that the temperance people
have at last won their fight? Now
a See Our line Of lod,aa ...;.