The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-01-31
DISPENSARY BILL
In MONTGOMERY
Mass Meetings Held TO Discuss the
Question.
WILL TAKE POLL OF HOUSE
Friends Of the Measure Confident oil
Its Passage.
BROUGHTON CAUSED SENSATION
During His:Speech He Attacked Speak
er Waller for Referring the Bill
to the Committee on Re-
vision of Laws.
WILL TAKE POLL OF HOUSE
BR0UGHT0N CAUSED SENSATION

Montgomery, January 3o.-(special)-The
Moody dispensary bill has precedence over
all other questions discussed at the capitol
today.
1t is doubtful If any measure has ever
been before the assembly that has caused
as much interest. The sentiment in favor
of the bill has steadily grown.
A prominent member of the house said
today that if a vote were taken on the dis
pensary bill in the house tomorrow, the
measure would pass. This member said
there were 81 votes for the bill, this being
shown by poll of the house. The friends
of the bill are satisfied it could be easily
passed in its present shape, but what they
are after is to amend it so as to include
every county in the state in its provisions.
Mass Meetings Held
There were two large mass meetings held
yesterday favoring the dispensary.
DR.. Broughton, the Atlanta revivalist, who
attained some fame in Birmingham last
summer, created the sensation of the day
by attacking Speaker Waller. The revivalist
was billed to address meeting at the
theater in the afternoon on Sparks From
the DEVILS Anvil" He had an immense au-
dience and his address proved discussion
of the dispensary bill. During his discourse
in very dramatic manner, the minister
made an attack upon the speaker for hav-
ing referred the bill to the revision of laws
committee, saying that it was an attempt
to 'pigeon-hole" the measure.
He mimicked the speaker in his reference
to the grave constitutional questions in
volved in the measure" and how the chair
man of the Judiciary committee had asked
that the bill be not referred to his commit
tee ION account of overwork," and then
how that 1t had been given to the revision
of laws committee, instead of the temper
ance committee. This attack was the most
talked of incident of the day.
Another Mass Meeting
AT the Court Street Methodist church the
other meeting was held. This meeting
was addressed by Rev. DIR. Geo. B. Eager,
Senator Frank s. Moody and Senator r. M.
Cunningham. At the conclusion of these
addresses the meeting passed resolutions
requesting the Montgomery delegation to
have Montgomery county included in the
provisions of the bill. 1t was announced
that a committee consisting of three mem-
bers from Birmingham, three from Mont
gomery and one from Anniston 10 make a
canvass of the house and secure the sig
natures of members who favored the bill.
to hedge the Large corruption of $6,oO0'
which it was charged had been raised to
fight the bill.
This meeting was quite enthusiastic and
very demonstrative during Senator Cum
ninghams strong and eloquent address.
Tennessee Valley
Judge william Richardson of Huntsville
is here today attending the supreme court.
He says that the people of the Tennessee
valley were to meet at Huntsville today to
urge the passage of the Moody BILL
1.-THE people of Huntsville and the Ten
nessee valley are more enthusiastic on this
question than over any measure within
my recollection" said Judge Richardson.
"Our very best people are stirred up over
the matter and a large lobby will be here
tomorrow to work for the BILL