The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1917-01-05


DIR. A. ]. A. Alexander. President of
the Forward League. spoke in part as
follows:
The fight against the rule of the liquor
interests in Kentucky has been long
and hard one We have been compelled
to meet this influence in every LeSisia-
ture in the last twelve years, and no
qustion can be settled on its merits be-
ure introduced. no matter what its pur-
pose, has to be made to fit into the
scheme of the liquor lobby. Every legis-
lator who bad the temerity to strike
blow against this great evil must expect
his pet measures to be knitted his per-
sonal character assailed and even his
life threatened. There are men before
me who could give their personal testi-
mOny to this. This state OF affairs must
not continue. \ question IS not finally
settled until it is settled right, and l am
sure that no man could look into the
faces of the men before me and fail to
see that this time it shall be settled right.
The Legislative Contests.
For many years we have been striving
to get the very best laws Obtainable from
our Legislature. An increasing success
has crowned our efforts. Prior to 1871 We
had some twenty-five dry counties. out
this was accomplished through special en-
actment. After the new constitution was
adopted the Legislature passed what was
considered a county unit law, but the
courts construed it as merely a precinct
unit law. More dry territory was added;
however, and thus it was an advanced
step.
IN 1906 there was passed county unit
measure which, however, exempted mu-
inequalities of over 5000 inhabitants. This
was far froEl what we desired and yet II
was distinctly an advance.
In 1912 the present county unit law was
passed and under it's operations We now
have 106 dry counties. This. OF course,
Is the best we have had up to the pres
ept time and yet the liquor domination
, Of our State has not been overcome. IN
every one of these advances we have had
to meet the bitterest and most I'M
HcrupulOuS opposition and every means
! fair and fol was used to defeat them
We must expect the same until We have
1 driven liquor entirely from our Common
wealth.
such have been the steps in our fight
/ so far The battle has never been 9
strictly party one. Always have there
been men both for us and against us II
both of the great parties. | wish, how
ever, to call your attention to one fact
a fact of which we Democrats may bt
well proud. None of the advance step:
! named were taken by either of the Re-
publican administrations which have gov
erned Kentucky in the last two decades
Every advance has been under Demo
cratic leadership. The Democratic party
in the nation is today the party of prog
resS. 1t is no mere coincidence that of thu
twenty five States that have now gon'
dry nearly all gave their electoral votes
y
lucky, it should be the one to lead il
this fight.
More Recent Events.
1T would seem. however. that in tn
I last eighteen months this position u
leadership is imperiled. 1t is hardly nee
| essary for me TO recount the events q
! the last few years to prove this. Flv
years ago Democratic candidate on
dry platform was elected Governor by
majority of $1,000. Two years ago
Democratic candidate who stood for ev
cry advance step in the antI-HquOr nSn
was elected to the United States Senat
by a majority of $4,000. One year ago
Democratic candidate on a reactlonar
platform was elected Governor by ma
Iority of less than 900. one TACT i
abundantly demonstrated by these FIG
ures. The Democratic party is the dom
inant party only when ii can annex con
siderabei part OF the increasingly arg
independent vote. Another fact just u
thoroughly demonstrated is that this III
dependent vote is almost soldly airy.
! Republicans recognize both of theS
facts thorOg ghly and show il by THROWN
overheard { ir cargo. one does not nav
I to be a prOp..et to realize what the futur
of the Democratic party in Kentucky
should It's present course be continued
To meet this situation. TO restore Ia
grand old Democratic party to its props
place in Our commonwealth, to restoI
that commonwealth to its proper plaC
in the nation were the objects in the OI
League.
Its leaders have been chosen froI
men who are not in politics. who see
no Office, but who are very deeply inter
eSted in the welfare OF our State and Ou
party. We advocate the candidacy II Il
man except in SO far as that candidac
may advance our cause. To obtain IN
object that / have mentioned, we realiz
that certain steps must be taken. W
must organize and educate our people iC
the most important night that has "
been waged.
we must see that in every district re
iiably dry candidates for both branche
of the Legislature snail enter the Dem
, Ocratic primary next August.
) The Work To Be Done.
I'VE must see that these dry candidate
are nominated and elected.
; we must see that the Legislature
1918 shall submit to the voters Il SatlsfaC
, tory amendment to our constitution mas
ing it unlawful to sell within the bound
Of our State any Splrltp0us, VlnouS {
? malt liquor Tor any purpose other ina
sacramental; further, thai after a reason
able length of time it shall be unIawfl
! To manufacture any such liquors With
the bounds of the State.
, We must then use our utmost endea
Vor to bring ii about that III the electiO
, OF 1919 Kentucky shall pile up such 4
: overwhelming majority Tor this amend
, ment Ghat this dragon. this monster, tina
has for so long strangled our COVE rnmeI
and cast its pOllutins shadow over even
, activity in this fair State shall new
, ( again dare to raise its head. Then Sna
. our great party proudly write into i
platform new declaration of lndepenC
, ence as far reaching in its important
I as its prototype, penned by It's gre;
: founder, Thomas jefferson. The Demos
, racy of Kentucky is ana of right ousi
I TO be a free and independent party