Catawba People to
Enforce Law
Newton, Oct. 27—a mass meeting was held in the county
courthouse Saturday afternoon for the purpose of organizing Catawba county to
drive out the blockade liquor business. The meeting was well attended, the
court house being filled with representatives from every township in the
county. Some of the townships were represented by in considerable numbers. A
large number of ladies were present.
The meeting was called to order by Rev. M.A. Abernethy of
Newton, and Rev. W.W. Rowe of Hickory was called to act as temporary chairman
of the meeting. Rev. W.R. Bradshaw, pastor of the First Baptist church of
Hickory, led the meeting in a fervent prayer.
Mr. C.M. Yoder was made permanent chairman of the meeting
and Mr. C.H. Mebane, editor of the News-Enterprise, was made secretary.
A committee of resolutions was appointed as follows: Revs.
W.W. Rowe, M.A. Abernethy, A.W. Setyer, and Messrs. R.E. Haln, B.L. Finger,
F.L. Rhoney, John Troutman, M.P. Sigmon, W.B. Sigmon, and David Arndt. While
this committee was at work a number of enthusiastic speeches were made.
Dr. E.M. Craig of the First Presbyterian church of Hickory
was the first speaker. He made a strong plea for the enforcement of law and
order against the blockade liquor business.
Rev. R.M. Hoyle of the Methodist church spoke next. He
reviewed the history of prohibition and temperance laws of this state. He said
the present condition was a natural one in the process of the development of the
prohibition laws of the state and of the nation. Mr. Hoyle said this meeting
ought to have been held two years ago, that the work ahead of us was much more
difficult now than it would have been then. His address was one of appeal to
the people to do their duty.
Rev. Mr. Bradshaw of the Hickory Baptist church, was next
called. His is a powerful speaker upon the subject of temperance.
He related his experience in Wilkes county and his
connection with the Watts law and other prohibition activities. He said we must
fight straight from the shoulder this liquor business. He told of the methods
of the liquor forces, how they would flatter to keep off those who opposed
them, then slander and do all they could to destroy those who dared to oppose
them. He urged each individual and each community to take a bold stand on the
liquor business that is doing so much harm in Catawba county.
The following resolutions were adopted:
“First, That an Executive committee of seven, four to be citizens
of Newton township, be appointed to this body which shall be known as a
publicity committee, which shall appoint an additional committee of three in
each township to be known as information committees, whose duty it shall be to
keep in communication with the executive committee and furnish the same with
all the information procurable as regards the making and selling of liquor in
every nook and corner of Catawba county. The executive committee shall also act
as a publicity committee and pass upon all communications for publication
coming into the hands of the committee.
“Second, That there be held public meetings in the school
houses and churches in every part of the county and a strong effort made to
secure the commitment of the citizenship of each community to stamping out the
traffic in intoxicants. The places for above meetings to be suggested by the
executive committees.
“Third, That we go on record as demanding 100 per cent
service from our county, state and Federal officers in the breaking up of the
liquor business in this county and hereby pledge them our utmost assistance and
support.
“Fourth, We recommend that the executive committee be
empowered to call a meeting at the court house once a month.”
In accordance with the report of the committee, the
following executive committee was named by the mass meeting: Rev. M.A.
Abernethy, C.R. Brady, W.T. McRee, Lafayette Huffman, C.M. Yoder, C.H. Mebane,
and Joe Love.
Several sort talks were then made. C.R. Brady of Conover
rang clear as a bell in telling what he has done and what he is willing to do
in this campaign to restore the good name of our county and save our people
from all the evils of this liquor business.
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