The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-26

List week there were stirring times in
Georgia between The cold-watcr Prohibition
lists md their ndvnrSlries The Prohibit ion
lists won the first engagement. tho Wiling
ham bill, designed to secure absolute pro-
hlbtion. having passed. the lowrr hr0nch OF
the Atlanta Legislature on Wednesday by a
vote ~ o. to G5.
The 1877 counties In Georgia IRA divided
into ia "drvs" AMI % Nv is. I'm icr-rlassi-
hcations established by the existing liquor
law, which was adopted in 1891. It pro-
vides for a local option election 70 be held
on the written request OF ono-tnnth OF tho
voters in any county The election must
be distinct frnm any other. and must not DO
held within one month o. any general cleo
ton. II the majority decides against the
sale, no person in the county may sell II
or barter for a valuable consideration. or
give away. to induce trnde at any place Of
business. or furnish at other public pIaros,
any alcoholic. spirituous, malt or intoxi-
eating liquor, or Intoxicating bitters or
other drink. which II drunk to excess will
produce intoxcation. except domestic cider
and domestic wines mot to be sold In bar
rooms), and pure alcohol by druggists
UnderthIs law. a large majority Of the coun-
ties OF Georgia have adopted prohibition
and the purpose Of the Wllingham law,
most vigorously resisted by the residents
OF the large cities, and not yet acted upon
by the Senate, is to make prohibition uni
versal In all the counties Of the State by
legislative enactment and without refer ence
to the views. wishes or intentions OF the
NJ ha fun 80 rna u,h iol.
have rejected or have not demanded such
summary restriction, but prefer the estab-
lished system Of very high license fees.
The Willingham law la one OF the most
drastic and stringent measures OF he kind
adopted in any American State. It is
notable In It's brevity and bluntness. It's
provisions are made applicable to inhivld-
uals and to corporations impartIally and
all clubs and the officers and members OF
clubs arc prohibited from having, using
or giving away liquor. II Is provided
that any place whore liquors are sold or
kept Is nuisance and that the payment of
United States revenue tax to the Govern
ment Ia primn fdcie evidenc" OF violation Of
law, The only two exceptions to these
sweeping provisions are the manufacture
uill hdtO uOlntSllN WlH'N WlLnlH the state.
and the sale by licensed druggists Of pure
alcohol for medicinal, art, scientific and me-
chanical purposes.
Georgia. viii an area one-flfth greater
than New York and a present population
OF about 1000, 900. had 10y the last
national census only four cities OF more
than 10000 population and only two,
Atlanta and Savannah, OF more than 49,
600, Their opposition to the prohibition
bill was unavailing IN the Atlanta House OF
Representatives, though they were aided
hy many country mcmbcrs whose chief
objection TO the proposed bill proceeds
from its revcnuc-diminishlng character,
the revenue Of Georgia from liquor icenses,
to the extent of $3.50, 900, being devoted to
the School Fund.
The membership OF the Georgia House of
Representatives which has passed this bill
Is l75; that Of tho Georgia Senate which
has yet to consider IL, Is only "A. The op-
ponents OF the principle of legislative pro-
hibition therefore, are hope al OF securing
an adverse vote In the upper house. The
cities OF Georgia having barely 10 per
cent OF the population Of the State.