The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1910-02-10
FABEIC 0f FaLSEH00D
Governor Ki!Chin RefufeS Assertions
Of khiSkey Interests.

|
Governor Kitchin yesterday receiv.
ed an urgent letter from Mr.. S. P
Meads. Of Oakland, Cal, leading
| temperance worker Of that State, anC
prominent in the Anti-Saloon move
ment in California, stating many crit
icisms, TIE operation Of prohibition
law in North Carolina which had beer
spread broadcast by the whiskey in.
terests there. An expression from
Governor Kitchin, giving a statement
IF the true condition in North Caro-
lima, was desired, to be read first be.
fore the California Anti-Saloon Lea
que IN State Convention assembled
and also to be published in advance
ment of the temperance movement
in that State-News and Observer
Governor Kitchin's letter was as
follows:
Your letter Of the 22 of January
in which you ask me for information
concerning the following charges
which you say the liquor men of your
State make against the prohibition
law in North Carolina, has been re-
ceived, and | answer as follows:
LAS to non-enforcement: know OF
10 case in which the law has not been
enforced by the courts. Hundreds
have been convicted. You under
stand of course. that It is more diff
cult to. enforce the law in some COM
munities than in others, the difficulty
being in securing evidence. but have
every reason to believe that our offic-
ars generally, are faithfully trying
to do their duty and tnat in all cases
where witnesses can be secured, with
the proper evidence, those who are
violating our liquor laws are prose
:uted and convicted.
"As to disrespect for law: There
is opposition to it, but think no dis
respect except by those who violate
it. # there is any other disrespect
it is confined to those who oppose it
and who wish to encourage efforts
toward its repeal.
''As to the liquor sold: There is far
less liquor sold III this State now than
before prohibition. There is less
drunkenness and less crime, far less,
eliminating violation Of this law.
Whether there is increased consump-
ten Of Injurious drugs, have no in
formation. As to bankruptcy in cit
les and towns, there is not word of
truth in this. On the contrary, our
towns like Gastonia, Durham, High
Point, Greensboro and Charlotte,
which had local prohibition beforethe
adoption Of our State prohibition law
are among the most prosperous, if
not the most prosperous towns in the
State. AS to increased taxes, it is
probable that some few communities.
o wing to the failure to receive high
taxes from the sale of whiskey, are
compelled to collect more money
from other sources. But the tax rate
in the State at large has not increas-
ed.
CAS- to decreased business: There
has been no decrease in business of
a ~ kind except the whiskey business.
Oar towns and our State, including
the country districts are On the up
ward grade, developing their resour-
c9s, increasing in wealth, building
S :hool houses and churches, and &C.
Jag forward in every line which would
crafty a good citizen and patriot.
"As to corruption Of officials: |
know Of no corruption whatever of
ard believe there is no truth
in that charge If any it is not at
trioutable to prohibition.
''As tc social Hypocrisy: There is
40 more social Hypocrisy than here
tofore; no more in prohibition terri
t ny than in open saloon territory,