The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-21
nIsHoP NELSON ANp PRoHInITIoN

BISHOP NELSON AND PROHIBITION.
II is probable that Prohibiionists
throughout the state were very much
surprised at the stand taken by Bishop
Nelson at Atlanta on Sunday on the ques-
ton Of prohibition. And yet the view he
took Of It is the sensible one. II is utter
ly useless to attempt to enforce a prohi-
bition law where public sentiment does not
sustain it. If the members Of the Legls-
lature who are attempting TO pass the
WiHnghanl bill would take the trouble
TO read the history Of prohibition in Kan
sas. it is probable that they would cease
their efforts in behalf of that bal In
that state. Notwithstanding the most
stringent police laws-laws which put The
appointment of the police Of the cities in
the hands of the Governor. a Prohibition
ist--the sale of spirltuous liquors went on.
And as far as the cities were concerned
there was more liquor sold and more
drunkenness than before the enactment of
the prohibition law Ia some of the cities
liquor was sold openly under a system of
fines, which amounted TO licensing liquor
selling. In many of the smaller towns,
nounced against the law. the blind tigers"
We're numerous and the vilest liquor was
sold in them.
The members of the Legislature need
not go far to find an example of the in
ability to enforce a prohibition law where
public sentiment is against it, In
Charleston, there has been very free
sale of liquor in a surreptitlous way ever
since the adoption of the dispensary sys-
TEN. 1t is probable that there are sa,oon-
keepers in this city who do not care
whether the WiIhngham bin becomes a
law or not They feel satisfied that public
sentiment is such that they will be able
to sell about as much liquor as they do
now if the bin becomes a law and they
win get rid of paying license.
A prohibtory law would keep the cities
of the state in trouble all the time. 1t
would deprive each of them of a large
revenue without giving them any protec-
ton from the evils which flow from the
sale of liquor. irresponsible persons
would sell liquor. and the evils flowing
from the business thus surreputiously
carried on would be far greater than they
are now.
It is said that one reason why the Pro-
hibitionsts are so determined to have a
general prohibition law is that liquor is
sold by the cities in the prohibition coun-
ties. But would there be any less liquor
sold in these counties II there were a gem
eral prohibition law? It is doubtful. In
fact, 1t is safe to say there would not
Liquor would be sent from points outside
of the state to customers in the state 1t
is just as easy to ship liquor from Gin
cinnati to a prohibition county as it is TO
ship it from Savannah or Atlanta to a
county of that kind.
1t may be said that laws would be en-
acted preventing shipments of liquor into
the state. 1t is easy to make such laws.
but it is not easy to enforce them. In
fact, 1t is impossible to enforce them
There is no legal way in which shipments
of liquor from points outside the state to
points in the state can be prevented. The
fact is there is only one sure way 10
fight the liquor traffic, and that is by cd
ucating the people against liquor drinking.
Local option has done more for temper
ance in Georgia than any other agency
that has been tried, and 1t is the testimony
of wellinformed people of Massachusetts
that it is doing excellent work in that
state. If 1t is adhered to in this state.
It is only a question of time when all of
the counties, except those In which the
larger cities are situated, will be under
the control of the Prohibitionists