Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1908-01-23
PEOPLE TO RULE.
Democratic Caucus Decides to Submit
Question of Prohibition to
" Popular Vote. 81 -.

Popular Vote. =. -
XRaleigh Jan 22.-Last night the De-
mocratic caucus of the House and
Senate, acting separately. decided to
pass a State Prohibition law to become
g effective when ratified by the vote of a
majority of the people of b State.
The only matters yet to be decided
are the character Of the bill to be sub
mitted and the time when the vote
shall be TAKEN. There was much SEN
timent expressed last night in favor
of an early election, say in May, before
any primaries are held Or political
campaign
The House caucus, after several hours
discussion relative to what class of
legislation should be considered at the
extra session aside from rate matters,
unanimously adopted the following
resolution, offered by Representative
Wood, OF Randolph, as to prohibit
ton.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
caucus that thea.question of State pro-
hibition should sbe presented by a bill
to become effective on Jan. LIST, 1909,
provided a majority of the voters favor
it at an election to be provided for in
the bill passed by the Genera AS
sembly at a time to be fixed in the
bill.
The caucus was strictly executive,
all save members and employees being
excluded.
Dowd, of Meck1enburg, had pressed
for a postponement until Thursday
night. Finally he consented to have
the matter settled on a vote on these
three propositions:
Ist. To consider a bill for absolute
State prohibition.
End. To consider submission to a
vote of the people.
l3rd. To consider a Constitutional
, amendment.
The first was defeated by a vote OF
} 81 to 55, as the second, in the provision
Of the sresolution printed above was
unanimously adopted, the third pro-
position was not voted on.
In the Senate until nearly ten O'Clock
the Democratic caucus heard earnest
and eloquent speeches from prohibition
leaders urging that the Senate heal
petitions for prohibition and hatitpa IS
a State prohibition law at this session.
Strong speeches for this were made
by Heriot Clarkson, ofCharlotte, pres
ident of the Anti-Saloon League, who
declared it represented so, 1000 to IS 1000
, voters; James H. Pou, of Raleigh; Rev.
FL. w. Battle, of Kinston; Mr.. Settle
Dockery, of Rockingham; Hon.. A. D
Ward, of New Bern; Mr.. John A. Oates.
of Fayetteville, chairman of the Anti
Saloon League Executive Committee.
and Mr.. J. A. Hardness, of Iredell.
Each speaker was strong for a pro
hibition bill and the great crowd that
thronged the Senate Chamber ap-
plauded vigorously. After the speeches
the Senate Democratic caucus went in
to executive caucus, all being excluded
except members and employees and the
following action was taken:
Senator R.. B. Redwine, of Union,
introduced a resolution to entertain
the bill OF the Committee Of the Anti
Saloon League.
Mclean, of Robeson, introduced
as a substitute for Senator Red vines
resolution, that it is the sense of the
caucus that it would be unwise and
inexpedient to pass a State pro-
hibition law at this session Of the
General Assembly, and that no public
legislation be entertained but the rate
bills presented by Senators and Re-
personalities interested in these.
Senator Reese Blair, of Montgomery,
introduced as a substitute for all the
resolutions the following:
Resolved, that it is the sense of this
caucus hat it will entertain a bill
SUI Dmitting to the direct vote of the
people the question Of State prohibi-
ton.
/ enator Mclean withdrew his sub
stjtute and the resolution of Senator
Blair was unanimously adopted.
snn-xxF9z~ NM. 1