The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-06-05
In Speech at Spencer. Ind, He
Compares the Temperance
Platforms of Political Par,
ties.
PLANTS HIMSELF FOR
COUNTY LOCAL OPTION.
Tells Why This Is by Far Bet
ter Than Ward and Town.
ship Local Option-Bing.
ham Arraigns Democrats.

IIoiiI ~ diSiiS oCtitOOt dlSs
Spencer. Ind. June Sin a notable
speech here yesterday Representative
James f. Watson discussed for the
first time the temperance question.
While temperance was his principal
theme he also spoke of the national 10.
sue.
His speech might appropriately be
called the first gun of the republican
state campaign. While he was care
full to explain that it was not his off.
cial key note utterance. which prob
ably will be delivered at Lebanon next
week, it was his first political speech
since he was nominated for governor.
Mr.. Watson planted himself firmly
on that plank of the republican state
platform which declares in favor Of
county local option. He made IL plain
that he is willing TO rest the fate OF
the campaign on that issue. He said
political trimmers either of having n.
tie sense or else a superfluity of cour-
age. but nevertheless he wanted IL
understood that he believed with all
the ardor he possessed in the right.
eousness of the republican position on
the temperance question, and he de.
clared that IL he should be elected
governor he would exert the full meas
ure of his power to have a local option
law put on the statute books. and
would exert the full measure of his
executive authority to have 1t enforc.
ed after it is enacted.
Arraigned Democrats.
A considerable part OF Watsons
speech was devoted to a strong ar.
raignment of the democratic position
on the liquor question. He was load.
ed for bear" and gave his opponent,
Mr. Marshall, an opportunity to dc
some explaining by reading from
many democratic state platforms ia
show that in the past the democratic
party of Indiana has stood for the
liquor interests and has always until
this year manifested great abhor.
renee for sumptuary legislation.
Mr.. Watson discussed national is
sues and then directed his attention
to the temperance issue. He was
in fine form and his auditors applaud
ed generously.
1t is a question:" said he, of vital
interest as to what the law is, for the
law is the means as well as the result
of public sentiment and | may say in
this connection that if / am elected
governor of Indiana every law will be
enforced TO the letter. A good Law
ought to be enforced for the benefit
of the people. and a bad law ought ts
be enforced. also, in order to demon
strate its character and thus lead te
its appeal. 1t is the business of the
Legislature TO legislate and of the ex
ecutive official TO execute
In my judgment the democratic
party in Indiana this year adopted the
best platform it has adopted for many
years and in my judgment the repub
lican party has done the same thing
The vital difference between the two
is on the question of local option and
TO that question | desire TO address
myself long enough to explain my po
sition in reference to this subject.
In all OF it's state platforms from
1852 to 1906 the democratic party
made reference to this subject. some.
times in one way and some times in an.
ather way, but always in opposition to
sumptuary legislation"
Reads From Platforms.
Mr. Watson then read from various
democratic state platforms. The dem.
ocraic state platform Of 1856 put the
party sqareIy on record as being "un-
conditionally opposed to the prohibit
tory liquor law passed at the last ses-
sion OF the general assembly" etc.
The democratic platform this year
Of the republican party had been silent
on this question except in 1886. 1888
and 1889. and he quoted from the plat
form of those years TO show that the
republican party, then as now, was in
favor Of advanced temperance legisla-
ton.
Continuing he said:
The democratic platfor mthis year
proposes local option by 6ards and
townships. the same as is now in force
except that it is to be done by vote in
stead Of remonstrance. The republi-
can platform. on the other hand, pro-
poses that the question as to whether
or not a license shall be granted to any
applicant for the sale Of intoxicating
liquor in any county shall be left 10
the voters Of that county to decide at
an election TO be held for the special
purpose.
A Backward Step.