The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-05-25

PROHIBITION
ELECTION
| NcRTHs CARO- IsvoTEsTos|
MORROW ONT oHlHlTIoN.
RALEIGH, N. c. May 25.=Another
state may be added to the total dry
area on the temperance map as result
Of the special prohibition election to
be held in North Carolina tomorrow.
While the "wets" have made desper-
ate battle. 1t Is considered almost GER
tain that the prohibitionists will win
asweeping victory and that all Of the
saloons in the Old North State vii, be
forced to close their doors on January
I next when the new law Will become
effective. I. S b
So far as considerable portion Of
the state is concerned, the passage Of
a prohibition measure will involve lit
tie change from present conditions.
Liquid refreshments OF an alcoholic
nature are now legally obtainable in
but score of the seventy counties of
North Carolina. This result has been
accomplished by the local option law.
under which all the important cities Of
the state, except Wilmington. Sails
bury and Winston.salem, have abolish.
ell saloons. Seventeen counties now
have dispensaries, but those will be
put out OF business by prohibition.
While public sentiment against the
liquor traffic Is such that the measure
would probably have. secured ma
jority without any campaign whatever,
the 'drys" have carried on an extern
sive crusade and have utilized every
possible method of turning public senti-
ment against the saloons. Governor
Glenn has been leader In temperance
movement and has covered consid-
cradle portion of the state, stumping
for prohibition, during the campaign.
Prominent jurlsts, clergymen, lawyers.
Legislators and other public men have
also taken part in the crusade against
the rum demon, with the end of max:
Ing the assurance OF prohibition doubly
sure. United States Judge Peter c..
1 Pritchard has delivered several nd-
dresses and three ex-governors, nearly
all the North Carolina congressman
and speakers from other states have
insisted in the movement. Ex-Gov-
ernor Jarvis has been one OF the lead
ers of the crusade
In tomorrow's election only register
ed and qualified voters, who paid their
poll tax prior to May l, will be allowed
to participate. This will largely elimi-
nate the blacks and the "poor white
trash" of the cities and backwoods
districts, who would likely favor a
wet" regime. Two ballots will be
used, one reading For the Manufac,
ture and Sale of Intoxicating Liquors
and the other Against" that propo-
sItion.
The campaign in North Carolina has
been marked by the religious. ethical
and emotional appeals that have been
so effective in other states and cities
OF the South. Meetings have been held
in every school house and church. the
speakers demanding in an impassioned
manner "the saving OF the children
and the home.' Women and children
praying and singing. have lead meet
ing on the streets and banners and
posters bearing prohibition sentiments
have appeared everywhere. Temper
ance literature has been spread broad
cast through the state.
The prohibition campaign in NORTH
Carolina had Its inception inmediatel,
following the Acknowledgement O.
negro voters eight years ago. At tina
time there were saloons in nearl,
every county in the commonwealth
and hundreds of dist!lleries. most O
which have already been put out o
business. were running at their full
capacity. The distilling industry wa
n large and important one. but the pro
hibltionists assert that the state ha
been more prosperous since most o
, them have been abolished than before
, AS in the other sections of the South
, the rnce question has played an i'm
portant part in the prohibition cam
, lpaign. 1t is alleged that crimes agains
women have become much less fire
auent in all parts of the South wher
!. prohibition has been enforced and tina
, the traffic in vile liquors has bee,
largely responsible for the commission
LOT such crimes.
!, That respectable" whites will no