Bogalusa enterprise and American. (Bogalusa, La.) 1918-19??, 1918-07-04
SALOON KEEPERS
WANT SANDERS
DEFEATED
Delos r. johnson Resents,
and Answers Charges of
Amos Ponder

Senator Delos K. Johnson replies
to the statement ef A. Z. Ponder,
which appeared about a week ago,
with reference to the race for con-
gress in this district, as follows:
81 have just returned from a visit
home, where my attention was called
to a statement by Mr.. A. L. Ponder
appearing in the papers about a week
ago and which had not before seen.
That part of the statement referring
to the race for congress in this dis
trict two years ago l do not feel
called upon to answer, only might
suggest that there are no eggs in
last years bird nests 1t may not be
out of place for me to add that there
does seem to be little coterie of
saloonkeepers in the city of Baton
Rouge who are making a good deal
of noise about defeating Governor
Sanders, even if they have ito run
preacher to do it," as some of them
express it, but our folks all over the
Florida parishes do not love Sanders
less for the saloonkeeper enemies he
has made here.
There is, however, a, portion of
the statement that simple justice de-
mands that l answer. Mr.. Ponder
says: No one believes Mr.. San
ders is sincere in his suddenly de-
veloped views on prohibition. 1t is
nothing but political hypocrisy
"As a constant advocate of pro-
hibition for many years and as
leader of the fight in the state SEN
ate for ratification, feel that l have
some right to speak for this cause.
As | have done in private, ] am glad
to publicly extend our thanks to
Governor Sanders for his splendid
services. He is a tower of strength
to US, he has fought a good fight
and kept the faith and we resent any
charge that his loyalty and his mas
terful efforts are, as Mr.. Ponder puts
it, political hypocrisy No idle
charge of this character will shake
the confidence OF single friend of
national prohibition in the absolute
sincerity of Congressman Sanders in
his stand with US for ratification.
We feel very grateful to him for his
strong support and able leadership
in this fight.
"Sorae of the strongest advocates
of national prohibition in the United
States have not always been prohi-
bitionists-men like Maj. Dan Nor
gan Smith, ex-Gov. M. R. Patterson,
John Sharp Williams, Theodore
Roosevelt, and, even in this district
ex-COngressman L. L. Morgan. It
is the new recruits in strong business
men, professional men and states
men, who are every day coming to
the support of national prohibition
which makes its finals adoption GER
tain. have heard them all, the
old advocates from Bryan and Pat
terson on down the line, and / want
to say that none of them excel, or,
in my judgment, equal J. Y. Sand
ders in presenting this great ques-
ton.
Governor Sanders has for years
recognized the soundness or prohi-
bition arguments, as indeed have
most thoughtful men. In 1915 II
heard him publicly announce his
convictions in regard thereto. He
voted for the prohibition amendment
in congress and since the submission
of the amendment to the states for
ratification, thereby making available
the strong arm of the federal govern
ment for les enforcement. Sanders
has boldly and without reserve
thrown his great talents into the bal
ance in favor of this great cause.
And, believe me, he is not done. He
viii continue to wax stronger and
devote his splendid abilities in the
service of his people.
II believe that I am as well ac-
quainted with the sentiment in this
district as any man, and speaking
for the friends Of national prohibi-
ton, as well as for the friends Of
Governor Sanders, will say that we
have no misgivings as to the coming
congressional primary, regardless Of
who may run"
Wv.