Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1910-12-01

ions questions as to what the next step
in our prohibition fight will be,
awaiting me, pressing for reply.
After reading the press on both sides
of the question, carefully considering
the matter from every viewpoint and
many conferences with friends who
have been ON the ground, and in close
touch with the situation all the way
through, am convinced that our laws
are safe, aud that no backward step
will be taken. That the present legis-
lature will not change or modify our
laws.
While the "Fusionists, who stand
for the law to a man, did not get a
majority in the Senate yet number
of Senators, who were elected as reg
ulars'' and enough to give us a major
ity in that body, are pledged to stand
for the maintenance and enforcement
of our laws, while good majority of
the members of the Lower House, in
which the "Fusionists" have good
majority, Also stand so pledged, And
Mr.. Hooper was elected Governor on
two platforms, both declaring as
strongly as words could make it for
the maintenance and enforcement of
our prohibitory laws. That Repub-
lican Governor could be elected by a
good majority in a strongly Demo
cratic state on this issue, when tbous-
ands of prohibition Democrats, for
party reasons, voted the other ticket,
yet would resent any effort to repeal
or modify these laws, shows that
large majority of the people of Tennes-
see want the laws retained on our
statute books as they are.
The August election, giving the in
dependent judges majority of 45, 900,
even better illustrates the temper of
the people of the state on this ques-
tion. than the last election, for while
the prohibition question was not di
rect issue in that campaign, and while
we know that many anti prohibition
lists were for the independent judges,
and many prohibitionists on the other
side. yet everyone knows that large
majority of those voting for the inde-
pendent judges we're in favor of our
laws, and large majority of those on
the other side we're opposed to them.
That the liquor men regarded the
August election as prohibition vic-
tory is shown by an article from the
pen of Mr.. Gilmore, liquor man,
who is president of the Model License
League in Bonfort's "Wine and
Spirit Circular, in which he says !:
"The big majority in the recent Ten
nessee election, given the Independent
against the Regular Democratic nomi-.
nees was an echo of the state wide
prohibition fight and the killing of
and whether we like it or
not. it must be accepted as further
protest of Tennessee against the liq-
nor traffic, as the people of Tennessee
know, or think they know, the traffic. "
These two elections show, conclus-
lively, that our people believe in these
laws, and want them retained on our
statute books. So, dear Comrades,
who have fought together for these
laws for more than thirty years, let us
take heart of courage, believing that
the men elected on this issue in the
last election, will be true to their peo-
Pile, and the men who elected them,
and to their pledges, and permit no
;hange or modification of these laws.
But that standing true, as Tennessee
men know how to stand. will make no
with the liquor traffic, but
will preserve our state in the ranks of
those states that stand for the home
above all other things.
l think that there is no doubt but
hat an effort will be made when the
legislature meets, to modify or repeal
he statewide laws passed at the last
Meeting of the Legislature. That some
,lan will be proposed by the liquor
nen as a compromise measure in an
'ffort to reunite the Democratic party.
low split in twain on this issue,
which, if accepted by our state wide
riends in the legislature, will unset
le the question, and leave it dis
urbipg issue in the politics of our
tate for years to come
But / do not believe that our state
vide friends will agree to any pro- !:
'osition that will reopen this ques-
ion, and further disturb the people of
ur state over the matter. The law
as had absolutely no chance since its
assage, because officials, elected and
worn to enforce the laws, not only re-
use to enforce them, but, as everyone ,
nows, have done everything possible
0 have them discredited and violated.
t would be manifestly unfair to make
ny change in them until they have
ad a chance under officials who will
t least make an effort towards their
The people of Tennessee, as shown
y their votes in the last two general
lections held in this state, believe in