Goldsboro semi-weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1909-19??, 1909-07-14
PUBLIC OFFICIALS MAKING
PROHIBITION EFFECTIVE
Evidence Against ViOlatOrs Obtained
More Easily and Public Sentiment
Is More Strongly Behind the Law
Than Formerly.

Than Formerly.
To the Editor: AS the superintend
ent of the North Carolina Anti-Salool
League, 1 am constantly on the go
During the month of June I have
spoken on the duties of citizenship
five times in Dare, six times in Moore
three times in CASTOR and twice il
Harnett counties, and at Sanford anG
Jonesboro. 1 always have fair con.
gregations, sometimes large audi
ences. If we may judge by the at.
tendance upon these meetings, 1 an
sure the prohibition law will be en-
forced. The earnestness and enthu-
slash manifested on these occasions
by the audience is enough to convince
the doubling Thomases. On these
trips I have also visited Benson
Dunn, Raleigh, Elizabeth City and
Gastonia, as well as the Shelby Dis
trict Conference.
Our people, both officers and citi-
zens, are concerned about the en-
forcement of the prohibition law, and
many of them are ready to do their
full duty. l make it a point to hunt
up the officers as / pass along that
together we may council and plan.
Many times they seek me first. l find
that in nearly every case the officer is
anxious to be true to his oath of office
and do his duty, and will welcome any
suggestion or assistance that will aid
him. The officers are satisfied that
the best citizens want all law enforce
ed and that their oath of Office pledges
them to enforcement; therefore are
diligent. Some town governments are
using detectives to catch the blind
tiger and the town is paying the bill.
This ought to be in every place. AS
I see it, our trouble today is not that
the officer will not do his part, but
that the citizens will shirk, and some
couraged by all the interviews l have
had with judges, recorders and may
ors.
Sentiment among the average citi-
zen is toning up. Still there is much
need of education and agitation along
this line. Pastors need to preach on
tlfe duties of citizenship, and press
home the truth that every citizen is
the guardian of the law, and that it
is his duty to report violators. This
false swearing, of which we have so
much, comes only from a depraved
citizen. 1t is the act of the traitor
rather than the act of the patriotic
and honorable citizen. If the citizen
supports the constitution of the
State, as he has taken oath to do,
breaker, or shield him from the pen
atty of the law. I have heard some
say that they were honor-bound not
to tell on the seller. But honor never
binds a man to and and abet in law
less, or to tell lie and swear to it.
The devil binds people to this. When
men become liars, honor has gone
Though it is a fact that many of our
people are not doing their duty at this
point, it is also a fact that more are
toing it today than ever before, and I
>elieve that the day is not far distant
when every citizen that claims self
'epect will tell the truth about the
7iolator of the prohibition law. 1t is
ertainly much easier to get the evil
lence today than it was two years
go. I see, too, that the detective is
)eing used more than ever before to
top this sort of crime. At most places
hey are succeeding, and l think it
wise to use them.
The communications coming to our
office almost daily bring encourage
.nent. Today sheriffs, magistrates,
mayors, preachers and lawyers are
constantly writing us to recommend
| detective or to send some literature
ar to come and speak or to advise on
1 point of law, or how to proceed in
The matter of enforcement. Our peo-
pIe are now waking up to the fact
that what we are after is freedom
rom the liquor traffic, and that the
law only makes it possible to secure
this freedom through enforcement.
few citizens in the State that have
no regard for law, honor, character or
anything else, who are willing for the
State to go to the dogs or the devil if
only they can sell liquor and make
money. Every patriotic citizen will
aid co make these obey, and many of
the very best have determined that
they must obey or suffer.
In conclusion let me say that the
eyes of the nation are upon u.s. Let
ters every day reveal this fact. And
it is up to us to show the nation that
this law can be enforced. Citizens
one and all, let us be up and doing
North Carolina expects every man tc
| do his duty.
| Yours for enforcement,
| r.. l.. DAVIS,
| Supt N C. Anti-Saloon League
| When people can be genuinely char
table it is to themselves