The Washington herald., 1908-08-23
Seaborn Wright, of Georgia, probably the most
eloquent speaker today for the "dryS
a childhood incident caused him to engage in
the battle against the liquor traffic.

rallies. and swept the opposition on their
feet by their oratory. Wright's father
was particularly noted FOR this gift. A
typical gentleman Of the old Southern
school and one Of the leading men Of his
town, yet. even at times OF the greatest
social or political Importance. he declined
10 wear a collar over the shirt that
sparkied in its cleanliness as far as could
be seen
Long n ReformeE.
When Wright made his initial appear
ance in the State legislature he declared
his platform. "Anti-child labor. prison
reform, prohibition. anti-bucket shop. pure
food. and al legislation looking toward
the development and protection Of man.
so as 10 make q clean. incorruptibIe citi-
zenship-~ This has remained his plat
form. and IN order 10 promote II he has
appealed 10 the voters as a Democrat, a
Populist q Prohibitionist, and an Inde-
pendent. When he ran for governor with
the backing OF the Prohibitionists and the
Populists. prohibition Of strong drink and
leasing Of co1victs was his battle cry.
To-day Wright IS q Democrat and il IS
interesting 10 note that the Democratic
party has made Georgia a dry State
and is striking the deathbIow 10 the con
vict lease system The platform on which
Wright ran for governor was the first
one in Georgia 10 declare for the abolition
Of the whisky and the convict traffic
1T Is all over. Seab." said q friend
when Il became known that Wright was
/ a defeated gUbernaroriaI candidate
What IS all over2" asked Wright, from
his seat on an old lumber wagon
Your election for governor" was the
answer.
This election be over. but the fight Is
not. responded Wright.
Wright is stu fighting. and, Ike the
I Rev Billy Sunday. who also Is aroUs-
ing. prohibition fervor wherever he speaks.
I he IS a man who IS not averse 10 fighting
| physically. II necessary. 20 defend him
l self In the fight for prohibition IN his
state he was The leader Of the "drys- n
/ the lower house During the thirteen
/ hour f7lIbuster that was followed by TIE
I passage Of the bill. a leader Of the Opposi-
1 ton and Wright engaged IN a personal
! encounter that set the house on fire. and
7 out Of which Wright did rot come with
/ the lesser honors.
Il was as a lawyer that Wright dis
Z covered of a surety that lie possessed the
weapon he has used 50 effectively IN the
I cause Of prohibition HIS speech won The
first case he took. and through his eI1.
I quence he has won numerous cases since
I L IS rather curious 70 note that he ha:
never taken q case except as a lawyer FOR
/ the defense His Law practice and HI.
peach groves and his farms. by the way
/ have received from him but little persona
attention during the last two years But
then he has plenty OF this worlds dollar.
with which 70 hire competent EeIp-anC
his peach crop this year was exception.
ally fine.
Behind Autf-SaIoon-
I Howard H Russell. organizer Of and
chairman Of The headquarters committe,
OF the Anti-SaIoou League. AID as suci
one OF the big personal forces in the pres
enc temperance movement. arrived AZ h1
present emlne1ce by the farm. a clersshil
IN a government arsenal. a cattle her6er
saddle. a schooI-teacher- certificate
country newspaper editors chair. a law
yer's license. political defeat and the min
istry-
His failure 70 secure reelection a.
county superintendent Of schools out i
Iowa proved. in the early -Sgs- the frs
turning point n RusselTs career For sev
eral years before the voters decided no
to return him 90 Office RusseITs wife Ia,
been begging him 20 60 into the ministry
his fathers profession When his poIirica
disapp ppointuent came 70 him he acquiesce,
in his wife's desire, threw Up his Iucra
tive law practice, went 70 OberIin witt