The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1917-01-24


~. Dr. A: .: A. alexander; President Of
follows:
The fight against the rule OF the liquor
interests In Kentucky has been n long
and hard one. We have been compelled
to meet this influence in every Legisla-
ture In the last twelve years, and no
custom can be settled on its merits be-
cause OF such interference. Every meas
ure introduced, no matter what ATS pur-
pose, has to be made to fl into the
scheme OF the liquor lobby Every legis-
lator who had the temerity TO strike n
his pet measures TO be knitted his per
sonal character assailed and even his
life threatened. There are men before
Inc who could give their personal testi-
mony to this. This state OF affairs must
not continue. a question Is not finally
settled until II is settled right and ! am
sure that no man could look into the
faces of the men before me and fail to
see that this dime II 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 1891 we
had some twenty-five dry counties, tGt
this was accomplished through special en-
act:aert. After TIE new constitution was
adopted the Legislature passed what was
considered n county unit law, but the
courts construed 1t as merely precinct
ulllI law. MORE uIN ltIIlAOIN wis stuufhf
however, aud thus 1t was an advanced
step. 81.
IL 1906 there was passed a county unit
measure which, however. exempted mu-
inequalities of over 1900 inhabitants. This
was far from what We desired and yet i,
wa. ~ tir"'l an advance,
I'm 1912 the present county unit law was
passed and under Us operations We now
have 400 dry counties. This, of course.
is til best we have had up to the pres
ert time and yet the liquor domination
o, our State has not been overcome. In
every one of these advances we have had
to meet the bitterest and most un-
sch dpuivus opposition and every means
fair and foul was used to defeat them.
We m ist expect the same until we have
d,iYen iiqLor entirely from our Common
=, r., nav, EN- the steps In our fight
so fas, The Ia,,le has never been a
strictly party one. n. ways nav unet -
been men both for ug ann SalEs' US III
poth or the great parties. ] wis.-. y.
ever, to call your attention to one To, -
tact of which we Democrats may be
well proud. None of the advance steps
named were taken by either of the RE-
publican adE- mis- rations which have gov
erned Kentucky I'm 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 the
tWCnt.'-tlFc s..-es that have now gone
dry nearly all gave thefRselectoral votes
10 wilson. AS the dominant party in Ken
lucky " should be the one to lead in
this fight,
tore Recent Events.
TT would seem, however, that in the
llsl e4.. lteGu months this position of
is imperiled. 1t is hardly nee
esSary for me 10 recount the evant= cf
the last few years 10 prove this. Five
} ears ago a Democratic candidate on a
dry platform was elected Governor by a
...Rf ..F
Democratic candidate who STOOD for ev-
cry advance step in the anti-nquoT tight
was elected to the United States Senate
by majority Of $4,000. one year ago a
platform was elected Governor by u ma
Jofity OF less than 500. one fact is
demonstrated by NIhese fig
ureS. The Democratic party is the DOM
Inant party oniy when ii can annex "a con-
sideraDel part of the increasingly large
Independent vote. Another fact just as
Thoroughly demonstrated is that This in
iepenuent vote is almost solidly dry.
Republicans recognize both of these /.
facts thoroughly and show it by throwing
overheard their cargo. one does not have
TO re a prophet to realize what the future 4
Jf the Democratic party in Kentucky is .
shOD.d Its present course be continued. /
10 meet this situation, to restore the !
grand old Democratic party to lTs proper .
place in our commonwealth, to restore .
mat commonwealth 10 its proper place /
n me Macon We're the u. Jecls IN the or /
sahI~auon Of the DrmCcId,ic Forward /
League.
ITS leaders have been chosen from
men who are not in politics. who seek .
40 Office, but who are very ueeply inteT-
,steo III the welfare of our SIdte ana our
)arty. We advocate me canulddcy of no .
nan except in SO far as that candidacy
nay advance our cause. 10 OBTAIN the
'bJect that / have mentioned, we realize
hat certain steps must be taken. We
must organize ana educate our people Tor
he most important night that has Yet
,een WaSeu.
I'VE hlust see that in every district re-
iably ury candidates for both branches
Il me Legislature snail enter the Lem
cratic primary next August
The Work To De Done
I'VE must see that these dry candidates
re nominated ana elected.
w . mGSt see lhat Inc Legislature of
us snaH SdDIllIl 10 the Voters a sItIaIlC-
DRY ainenument to our constitution max
ng IL unlawful to sell within the uOuhus
I our State any spiritu Ous, yInOus or
ldlt nquor Tor any purpose other Than
acramenIal; further, lnal after a reason
Ole length OF Time II snall be unEtw1ul
Z manufacture any such liquors Mltnln
ne bounus OF the State.
We must thcn use our utmost endea-
or 10 L!4IIs II aLoat tiI.tt ~ .ne elc-,.on
l5IS hSatuI..y sn..II plIe up sGCH an
NerWhelmlng majority IOr TINS amend
Iehl liIdl inns dragon ms n.unsteI, tndi
AS Tor SO long stIansieu our 80, eminent
nu cast Its pulutII6 snauUw over every
cuvlJy in TINS taIr State sual never
cam uale 10 raise ats head. -..ea snun
~ great party proudly write lntU lls
iulfOrm a new ueCIlTIloI OF Inuepenu-
nee as lar reaching III It's Importance
$ It's prototype penned by l,s great
juhuef, Inuuiits JeneIson. ihe Iemoc-
aCy OF hentLcky Is siI.A u l.an, Ousnt
De u tree ana Independent parry"