The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-07-09
ANTI-SALOON TO
RYE AND HOOPER
REMARKABLE MEASURES
Urged Upon Them for Their En-
dorsementI Including Search and
Seizure and Removal Bill.

Anti-Saloon league tonight made pub
lie a letter it had addressed to tn,
candidates for governor, Thomas c
Rye and Ben w Hooper, asking then
what positions they take on the ques
tons of % a law to deal with sof
drink stands; (2) search and seiz
IRE law that will stand the test Of
The courts; 90 law to prohibit the
advertisement of intoxicants, and ca
law for the removal of unsatisfac-
tory officials. The letter indicates
that the league will demand of its
candidate for governor an indorse-
ment of all of these proposed meas
ures. The letter of the league fell
lows
The following open letter to can
didates for governor was prepared
by the headquarters committee of the
Anti-Saloon league of Tennessee, and
under said committees instructions is
herewith respectfully submitted to
you.
On several occasions, and in many
ways that are unmistakeable, the peo-
pie of Tennessee have recorded their
majority protest against liquor traffic
They have left no reason for doubt,
either, about their friendly attitude to-
ward the enforcement of all of the
temperance and prohibition laws of
the state. But from the first certain
officials, disregarding their oaths of
office, have defied the laws and pro-
claimed their contempt for the states
authority. 1t has become apparent to
those who are opposed to such official
anarchy and who believe that cities
should respect the laws of the state
anti-saloon laws can be effectively en-
forced, power must be lodged some
where to compel unwilling officials to
enforce the law. This can be done
in no other way than by suspension
OF removal from office, and the sub
stitution of officials who will obey
their oaths. The state, through the
legislature, gives to the cities their
characters, and thereby furnishes the
fundamental law for their govern
ment. In granting these charters one
of the distinct requirements is that
the constitution of the state shall be
obeyed, and that nothing shall be
tn
constition and laws of Tennessee are
spurned, it is therefore but reason
able that the state should delegate to
some superior authority to compel
law observance.
The Tennessee Anti-Saloon league,
a non-partisan organization, whose
sole object is the complete and per-
manent destruction of the beverage
liquor traffic, on April 6, 1914, issued
an address to the voters of Tennessee
In this address we called especial at
tention to the need of additional legis-
lation in order to make our present
anti-liquor laws effective. In partic-
ular we pointed out the necessity for
legislation on the following points, |
using the language herewith quoted |
First--A law to deal with the SO
called soft drink stands, clubs and
other subterfuges by means of which
the laws are now being violated.
Second-The interstate shipmentl
bill, which was enacted in 1913 for
the purpose of making the Webb law,
passed by congress, effective, was by
court of Tennessee deprived of it's
main feature and therefore rendered
almost valueless. A law should be
enacted that will stand the test of
the courts. 1t should include among
other features provision for search
and seizure to be thoroughly effective.
Names Measures the League Demands
Third-A measure to prohibit, as
far as possible, the advertising of in
toxicating liquors within the state
Fourth--A law that will place the
power somewhere for the removal
from office of any and all state, coun-
ty and municipal officials who violate
their sworn obligations to enforce the
laws. Such a law would be most eff
fective and far-reaching in its results,
and would seldom have to be invoked.
IN order that the friends of prohi-
bi.ion and law-enforcement may be
advised, as is their right,
we most respectfully request you, as