The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-02-13


Charlotte. Feb. 1O.-The Charlotte
Observer today is printing the follow
ing story on matter that is OF much
interest to many people here.
The man who bought the eight bot
ties OF liquor for Secretary Davis Of
the State Anti-Saloon League. seems
TO be "out Of the city" at present. But
that does not necessarily mean that
he will not be here next Thursday,
the 9TH. the date set for the prose-
cution OF the case.
However. there IS found much to
talk about today in the matter. The
Observers story on the subject fol-
lows:
1t turns out to be highly improb
able that any wa rants can be issued
against the clubs and drug stores from
whom whiSkey was purchased for Rev.
II. l.. Davis. secretary OF the North
Carolina Anti-Saloon League. 1t is
certain that the officials in charge OF
the affaig have been holding a num-
Der Of conferences every day during
the week. but no indictments have re-
suited. The report is current that the
party who made the purchase Of
Whiskey and beer and was depended
upon as the States material witness.
the one witness around whom the
body Of the cases chung, is not "among
us" -. more. This is not denied by
the officers or those who have the
matter in hand for prosecution.
Whether he will be here next Thurs
day. February Is, when Rev. Mr.
Davis is to appear. is not known. 1t
is certain. however. that he is not here
now. nor has been for several days
70 the great alarm OF those instru-
mental in pushing the cases.
May Be Minus Evidence.
1t Is not known whether the State
can produce sufficient evidence t.
justify indictments or not without the
presence Of this witness who has 81
suddenly departed for coasts un
known. Others have been investi
gated under ad testificandam pro
ceedingS with the View to strength
ening the testimony which this wit
ness was prepared to give the courts
but it is doubtful whether the prose
cutiOn is willing to rely upon this ad
ditiOnal evidence without first intro
ducing the party who actually mad
the purchases and whose purchase
were SO senSationally exhibited at tn
mass meeting held last Sunday nigh
in the interest of the cause Of pro
hibitiOn.
The meeting Thursday night i
Hanna Hall, when stringent resolu
tons were passed and committee
were appointed to act in the nam
Of law and order. has created a worl
or conversation on the streets. Viii:
perlnSS are current at every turn
Everybody IS asking what will be tn
result, how these prOhlbitiOniStS wi
go about the business of finding OF
who are violating the law This
an interesting query but no answt
can be produced from those VINO al
actually busy.
Interest at High Tide.
1t is certain. however, that int,
est in the enforcement Of the prob
bition law is at high tide Some .
the leaders in the cause are anxiO,
that the law may be vindicated, tn:
1t be given strong test in Chariot
Many who fought by nv side" sa
Mr.. Frank McNinch at the meetir
Thursday night, when the prohib
ton election was held have since tn
time crossed over to the other CROW
in utter disgust, their faith chang,
because Of the laxity in the enforc
ment of the law. And l am here
tell YOU now that If the present co
dition in Charlotte is allowed to
along, ever gaining in momentum al
ever getting worse, there are sor
of the rest of us will also cross ov
in disgust. with our faith in the ct
cacy of the law broken"
Will Employ Counsel.
The several committees that we
appointed at the meeting propose
get busy at once, but no definite pl
Of action has been outlined. T