The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-01-30
Governor Got Setback.
Surprise for Chief Executive in Ac-
ton Of the Legislature on the
Liquor Question-lgnored Rec
onmendation to Pass Bill Pro-
viding for Immediate State Pro-
hibition.
Special to Charlotte Observer.


Raleigh, Jan. 22-The action of
the Democratic caucus OF the two
branches of the General Assembly in
declining even to consider ut this
special session bill providing for
immediate State prohibition as
urgently recommended by Governor
Glenn ia his message yesterday. was
one of the prime topics of conversa
ton i'm legislative circles this morn
ing. That the compromise agreed
upon, namely, to consider a bill leav-
ing the question to vote OF the
people at the next general election,
was u wise and discreet move none
questioned. The only topic which
excited the least degree of interest
was the stand of Governor Glenn on
the matter and the attitude of the
Legislature in the light of his mes
sage. He came out strongly for the
enactment of sweeping prohibition
law effective at once, taking the ad-
vanced ground that such an act
would be the wisest and best ever
passed by any legislative body, and in
less than twelve hours after this pro-
nouncement the two houses turned
it down and referred the settlement
to the people. This they did in the
face of a stirring speech delivered by
the Governor himself at Il mass meet
ing Of citizens, in which he urged
that pressure be brought to bear
upon the Legislature to enact a
measure which he himself had just
recommended. This was done, too,
in the face of large delegations OF re-
preventative citizens from all sections
which filed the lobbies and clamored
for the enactment of an immediate
prohibition law
BIG SURPRISE TO GLENN.
1t is safe to say that Governor
Glenn was about the most surprised
man in the State when he was in
formed of this action of the caucus.
And there were Others who must
have wondered how the Legislature
could have acted as it did in the
light OF all the influence and recog-
nized power brought to bearupon it.
The States chief Executive had de-
clared most urgently for State pro-
hibtion. Senator Simmons had ex-
pressed the belief that it was both
wise and expedient; Ex-Governor Jar
Wis had pronounced like views; as
had also Federal Judge j. c. Pritch-
ard, Chairman Hugh g. Chatham,
Former Chairman James III. Pou
and other leaders OF the party And
this was further augmented by the
fact that both houses were them
selves overwhelmingly for prohibi-
tion. Such an array OF talent has
seldom been enlisted i'm the adv ocacy
OF any cause.
OVERDID THE THING
The action OF the caucus at first
glance seems imcomprehensible. 1t
can be explained only when viewed
from the standpoint of the legisla-
tors themselves. The sentiment of
the majority was that this matter
Of great moral principle should be
left to vote of the people, the
court OF last appeal whose de-
cision would be final and impossible
Of contradiction or dispute The
Legislature is believed by fair
minded men, not members of either
branch, To have acted with discre-
tiOn and judgment. The Governors
participation in this prohibition
mass meeting in such a Jealous man.
ner when the Legislature bad before
it vital issues recommended by yhe
Chief Executive himself had some
thing to do with the action of the
caucus. The propriety of such
course was called in question by
some OF the leading members OF the
Legislature, who characterized it as
beneath the dignity Of the first citizen
of the State. That it was the proper
thing to do under the peculiar circum-
stances none will deny. mind
ed and intelligent men say the Gov
ernor made a mistake in thus throw
ing himself so vigorously into the
fight while holding the Office and
while such matters OF legislation
were pending.
BADLY USED BY FATE.
There is q humorous side to the
whole matter, however, which ap-
peals to that host of politicians
which is here to watch the proceed
ings of the Assembly. They say that
the Governor has been badly used,
not by any individual or party. but
by fate. After having caught up
with the band wagon and having
by one headlong dash secured the
| topmost seat-one long coveted
and having seized the reins i'm his
hands with which to make the star
play OF his life, suddenly and with
out warning the procession stopped;
the music ceased; the curtain drop
ped. The goddess OF fate had dished