Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-05-01
"NOT THE FRACTION OF A MILL
ADDED TO TAXATION.v
Senator cosquin on Atlanta Prohibition

Senator COiquiH or atlanta Prohibition.
The bell-wethers Of the whisky traf-
fic continue to lie about the effect pro-
duced by Local Option being carried in
Atlanta. Notwithstanding the state
ment of business men that it has no in
furious effect; and recent real estate sales
show a remarkable increase Of values,
not caused by Prohibition, but from a
natural growth-we say, nOtwlthstand-
ing every free and honest statement to
the contrary, the liquor advocated will
continue to lie and declare that the
carving of Prohibition has injured At
lanta. Now, while it seems to be use
less to publish facts that show positive
" that these statements are not true,
leading business men say they are not
true, the mayor of the city declares they
are not true, and the city assessor de-
clares that the statement made that as
sessments had been increased is not
true. Yet these men continue to re-
peat the falsehoods that Prohibition is
iniuring the city. Therefore we see that
there is only one thing to do, and that is
to publish all men that make these
statements as liars-willful and premed-
itated liars. This is the only way to 81
ence them, and it is doubtful if that
will, for their brazen, bare-faced impu-
dence seems to have no shame.
Ex-Gov. Colquitt, our present U. S.
Senator, has written the following let
ter to Prof. w. w. Smith, of Randolph
Macon College, Ashland, Va, in reply
to the question whether the effect of To-
cal option in Georgia has increased the
taxes, as untruthfully insinuated by its
enemies.
He says:
DEAR SIR:-Very few words will do
for an answer to your letter of inquiry as
to the effect on taxation and property
values in Georgia as result of Prohibi-
tion. The allegation that these have
been affected injuriously i. simply de-
vice Of the enemy.
There has not been the fraction of
mill added to our tax in Georgia by rea-
son of Prohibition; nor taking values in
Atlanta as an index, has there been any
falling off in real estate prices.
In my State, as everywhere else, busi
ness is halting and detected. But will
any zealot for whisky and whisky civil
zation and prosperity say that the one
million Of working men now out of en-
ployment in the United States are thus
placed because of the stoppage or re-
duction Of their whiskey rations?
| think it is high time for men to take
up their slate and pencils and figure out
what boon" in dollars and cents is
worth to any people that has to be se-
cured by the degradation and ruin of a
large proportion of the population who
contribute blood-money that enters into
the bank balances.
In the estimation of some ofour latter
day economists, the redemption of i'm
mortal souls from british enslavement
to strong drink is entirely too dear, it it
is secured by sinking in trade quota
tions or an inconvenient hindrance to a
downward plunge to perdition, temporal
and eternal, by closing the "corner"
doggery:
This is a stupid logic of sin-defant,
hardened, and desperately selfish men.
We must give up such public spirit and
political economy as this, or stand by
and see our Christian civilization
thwarted and disgraced. atlanta Temp
AdUocdte.