The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-11-07
Leading Lawyers Comment
Freely on Stand Taken
by Governor Cats.
ADOPTS ARGUMENT
NOT. ON SUBTFCT
Members Local Bar Severe
in Expressing Their
Personal Opinions.

That the Governor is again at
tempting to dodge the issue, and CEN
ter the argument on matter entire
ly foreign TO the original proposition.
was the opinion expressed by several
Pensacola lawyers in discussing the
latest development in the now famous
CattsVan Pelt resolutions.
In his original reply to the reso.u-
tions passed by the PensacoTa inv
yers, local attorneys claimed that tie
Governor was attempting to inject
issues into the controversy which
should not be in it. and that in doips
SO he was trying to deceive tho PFC
pie.
Similar sentin-eGt Were cyprcssea
last night by attorneys T::o took =
prominent part in the mcstiny ms,
Thursday, when every member Of t3z:
Pensacola Bar in Attendance sigl.ls
a resolution denouncing On un:neaa
ured terms the attempt of the Gov
ernor to substitute j'IGI5ial pro, Lure
by Official viii and caprice, by IAN
unconstitutional exercise of the pow
er OF removal"
When asked Tor his opinion on tbs
+. D. Beggs said:
81 could only say this, that tie tyvo
issues are entirely separate. The po-
sition of all good people is against
the sale of liquor. and the sentiment
is growing in favor Of prohibition.
feel certain that the constitutional
amendment will carry next fall. Judge
Jones' decision is purely a legal prop
sition and will be finally passed upon
by the Supreme Court The law
abiding element will stand by the de
cision of the courts. If the law is
wrong, then it is the duty of the leg
islative branch of the government
TO change il.
Judge Jones is universally held Ia
hig> esteem, and there can he no
question as to his good faith in rem
dering the decision. IF he is wrong,
the higher court will correct t.s er-
ror, The bar is unalterably opposed
and all good citizens should be--tu
the interference by the executive
ties by judges of the courts. The
courts form a hulwark for the free
dom OF the people, and stand for the
of the rights of the peo-
pie. They should be let untrammelled
by the executive in the discharge OF
their duties
"As to the Governor closing the sa-
looms in Pensacola and West Florida,
would like to see it done, lawfully.
and feel sure that a great majority
Of the citizenns would, too"
w. Fl. Watson, in discussing the
interview with Governor Cats, said:
81 am Of the same opinion as some
Of Cats supporters during the cam
simply crazy. His sug-
pestion is as absurd az his miscon-
ception of Judge Jones decision Il
glaring."
Judge A c. Blount, after being tolu
,f the Governors action ~ threaten
ng martial law, said
aft it were not SO ludicrous, it might
DC serious. But the threat of removal
IF Judge Jones is serious, serious for
Judge Jones, and for every self-re-
specting citizen of the state, for an
attack on the Judge of court is an
attack on every self-respectsn4 citi-
ze1-
Personally" continued Judge
Blount, t1 am a prohibitionist, and
as vice president of the Prohibition
League, / took an active part in the
ast campaign. / think it an unfor-
tunate situation, because we hava
such a Governor"
John S. Beard, who took a pronS-
1ent part in calling the meeting Of
Pensacola lawyers, and who was au-
thor of the resolution which stirred
lp the wrath of the Governor, said.
n discussing the latest development:
ST would saw that he is insane. ex-
,ept that insay is an operation Of
he mind.