The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-14
MOORE DECLINES
 ID ENTER DEBATES Thinks They Would Add Un- necessarily to Agitation
 and Bitter Feeling

Preferring to leave the matter Ito the common sense and cool judgment of the people," and Stating that the criticism of the Smith regulation bill would be answered through the medium of the post and press, Jones G. Moore, chairman of the local option campaign committee, and J. F. Staley, secretary, declined the in- vitation of the leaders of the saloon op- position league to, engage in joint dis cussion of the question at issue.
 Mir Moore further stated that the local option campaign would be conducted on the high plane and in the calm business like manner, in which it has been con- ducted thus far, and that no appeals to prejudice or passion would be made.
 The leaders state that they are con fident to leave the matter entirely to the will of the people for final decision Mr Moore's letter is as follows:
 Birmingham, Ala, July 1S 1911. "Messrs. c. P. Beddow, Chairman; Bor- den Burr, Vice Chairman; Charles E. Rice, Secretary, Saloon Opposition League, Birmingham, Ala.
 "Gentlemen-In reply to your com murication of the 12th instant, in which you invite a. joint discussion of the smith regulation bill, between opponents of high licensed and regulated saloons and the advocates of the same, we have to say; we can see no good to be subserved by such discussion. and, on the contrary, should we accept your challenge, great probability of absolute harm would result from an acrimonious and heated debate of the subject. In our opinion, the ques- tion paramount before the people is law and order; proper regulation versus the existing era of blind tigerism, unlawful ness and contempt of a large body of voters of the prevailing inefficient prohi biton laws
 "The liquor question is no new one; the matter has been thoroughly threshed out before the people in previous cam paigns; they are informed; their judg- ment Is well made up, and the proposed election is to be held for the purpose of ending further unnecessary agitation.
 "The acceptance of your proposition necessarily means a continuation of the agitation. turmoil and bitter feeling among the people. Such discussion would involve, on your part, the defense of the blind tiger evil, and that. in itself, would tend to accentuate differences and do the community no good.
 "The arguments presented by you In defense of your cause are confined to criticisms of the Smith regulation bill. These arguments will be fully answered of thp and the post.
 '"This bill was passed by democratic legislature in obedience to the demands of our party platform. It was put upon the statute books after thorough debate and deliberation. It was not done hastily.
 "Our contention in this campaign is that the prohibition laws, after four years trial and experience, have demonstrated their utter failure, and 1t Is our purpose to attempt to change conditions for the better.
 .It has been the custom from time inn memorial for the weaker side Of any nublic question to seek debate with the stronger side. This was evidenced in the prohibition campaign In this county four years since, when the opponents of prohibition challenged the prohibtionists to joint discussion, which was refused. This refusal four years since, to join in joint discussion, however, does not in fIuence us at all at this time in the mat ter.
 'It Is our purpose to conduct the cam paign free of bitterness, and to obtain the unbiased, calm and deliberate judg ment of the people of the county on the question. For the reasons stated, we re- spectfully decline your invitation.
 we are, with great respect,
 Yours very truly,
 JONES G. MOORE,
 Chairman.
 "J. F. STALEY,
 r- "Secretary,"