Letter to Hon. Theo. G. Bilbo from Pastor Jesse D. Franks; page #2
Dublin Core
Title
Letter to Hon. Theo. G. Bilbo from Pastor Jesse D. Franks; page #2
Subject
Prohibition. The 18th amendment. Temperance. Morality. Alcohol sales.
Description
This is a letter from Pastor Jesse D. Franks of First Baptist Church in Columbus, MS to Theodore G. Bilbo, the representative of Mississippi’s 4th district in the Senate. This letter conveys Pastor Frank’s disapproval of the decisions of politicians in regards to prohibition, alcohol advertisement and sales, and the possible repealment of the 18th amendment.
Creator
Pastor Jesse D. Franks
Source
Theodore G. Bilbo Papers, M2 Box 1054, Historical Manuscripts and Photographs, Special Collections, University of Southern Mississippi Libraries
Publisher
The University of Southern Mississippi
Date
Unknown
Contributor
Bilbo, Theodore G.
Rights
Copyright not evaluated.
Format
Correspondence
Language
En
Type
Text
Text Item Type Metadata
Added by
Dotti Kate McInnis
Text
Hon. Theo. G. Bilbo, Page #2
If I recall correctly, our Democratic-wet friends (?), including our President himself, promised the voters that if they would repeal the Eighteenth Amendment they would guarantee that the old saloon would not return and that the dry States would be protected in their prohibition efforts and legislation. Have they kept this promise? To ask such a question is ridiculous. It only provokes laughter among the wet politicians, and a victorious “horse laugh” from the liquor dealers. Evidently they had no intention of keeping the promise when they made it.
Is there not something you can do to aid us in this fight? Some measure you might propose that would at least take Uncle Sam out of the bootlegger class in dry States? Could not some effort be made by the Federal Government to carry out the full promise of the Twenty-first Amendment? Ours is the fight of all the moral and temperance forces of the Nation: the churches, schools, homes, P.T.A., W.C.T.U, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., all kinds of religious organizations and societies among our fine young people, women’s clubs and many, many types of educational and temperance organizations, back ed by scientific investigations and facts.
Could not all kinds of liquor advertising be stopped? It is reliably reported that the liquor people, including hard liquor, wines and beer, have spent in the last five years at least $75,000,000.00. in advertising, to say nothing of what they have spent in promoting liquor legislation and elections in the States.
I am writing you because I have understood that you have all along been against the legalization of liquor in any form and, therefore, can consistently propose dry measures in Congress. You would certainly make many friends among the dry people of your own State and other States, and would champion a most worthy and far-reaching reform.
Yours sincerely,
J.D. Franks
If I recall correctly, our Democratic-wet friends (?), including our President himself, promised the voters that if they would repeal the Eighteenth Amendment they would guarantee that the old saloon would not return and that the dry States would be protected in their prohibition efforts and legislation. Have they kept this promise? To ask such a question is ridiculous. It only provokes laughter among the wet politicians, and a victorious “horse laugh” from the liquor dealers. Evidently they had no intention of keeping the promise when they made it.
Is there not something you can do to aid us in this fight? Some measure you might propose that would at least take Uncle Sam out of the bootlegger class in dry States? Could not some effort be made by the Federal Government to carry out the full promise of the Twenty-first Amendment? Ours is the fight of all the moral and temperance forces of the Nation: the churches, schools, homes, P.T.A., W.C.T.U, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., all kinds of religious organizations and societies among our fine young people, women’s clubs and many, many types of educational and temperance organizations, back ed by scientific investigations and facts.
Could not all kinds of liquor advertising be stopped? It is reliably reported that the liquor people, including hard liquor, wines and beer, have spent in the last five years at least $75,000,000.00. in advertising, to say nothing of what they have spent in promoting liquor legislation and elections in the States.
I am writing you because I have understood that you have all along been against the legalization of liquor in any form and, therefore, can consistently propose dry measures in Congress. You would certainly make many friends among the dry people of your own State and other States, and would champion a most worthy and far-reaching reform.
Yours sincerely,
J.D. Franks
Original Format
letter of correspondence
Collection
Citation
Pastor Jesse D. Franks, “Letter to Hon. Theo. G. Bilbo from Pastor Jesse D. Franks; page #2,” LIS 652 -Omeka Sandbox, accessed September 29, 2026, https://lis652omeka.usmcdh.org/items/show/76.