The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-27
NOT A JUST CRITICISM.

"rhe Orphans Call" published at
 the State Baptist Orphanage at Ever
 green. takes exception to The Adver-
 tiser's position on the subject of State
 nrohibitory laws and in recent issue says:
 The Advertiser doesn't say it here, but 1t Is not a rash presumption to say 1t is in favor or repeating all jaws that pro hibit the making. importing or selling of liquors as beverage on the ground that they are not enforced. It has been re- peatedly shown that this is it's attitude.
 Now. The Advertiser has never failed to advocate temperance in all things, al all times and under all circu stances and we also advocate and counsel obe- dience to law and the enforcement of ways held to the theory that laws which are not enforced, not attempted to be enforced. and which public sen- timent shows no desire to enforce, would be better repealed. A law on the statute books which is allowed to remain 8 dead letter because the peo- pie make no attempt to enforce it is worse than a farce, because it breeds contempt for other laws.
 It has been just about fifty years since the Maine Liquor Law was en- acted. which was the first attempt of any State to prohibit absolutely the sale or other disposition of spirituous liquors. Since that time several other fo ho la ;,, all cases the result is the same. The newspapers published in those States come to our table every day and their testimony is the same. They all testi- fly. many of them with shame and hu- initiation. that the law is not enforced and cannot be because public sentiment does not demand its enforcement. The same situation is found in most of the counties in Alabama where prohibition laws are on the books. That is the result of attempts to enforce State prohibition, and we repeat that the laws would be better repealed.
 But The Call makes g. comparison which is not creditable to it nor just lO AC <A0fCA LtoCAs NOPJ HIS 0OAhC VI the headlines in our news columns of various crimes which have been com mitted in Alabama recently The Call cays:
 Really. it looks as if "all laws to pre- vent men, from carrying concealed pistols, shooting down their neighbors, killing a brother-in-law, taking the life of a teacher, or blowing out ones own brains, will be failure in the present stage of humanity" Will The Advertiser the repeal of these laws? No, certainly not. "Oh, consistency, thou art a jewell"
 The cases are not analogous or simi- lar, and the intimation of inconsistent cy has no foundation. It is not a question of punishing men for getting drunk or drinking to excess. but of try ing to prevent them from getting any thing to drink. which is an entirely different proposition. In the other case 1t Is a question of punishing men for murders and assaults, and not of trying to prohibit the sale of osition should be made to enact a law prohibiting the sale of guns and pis- tols. of powder and balls and cartridges, The Advertiser would certainly oppose it. Such law would be on par with the Maine liquor law, and would be as impossible of enforcement.
 The Advertiser is for temperance and for laws which can be and will be en- forced. and which the people most in- terested want enforced.