Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-20
DISPENSARIES MONEY
MAKERS IN ALABAMA
IN ONE TOWN THE PROFITS PAY
ALL THE EXPENSES OF CITY
GOVERNMENT.

MONTGOMERY, Ala, Feb. 1s.-The
question Of dispensaries. for the sale Of
malt and spirituous liquors will most
probably become very live one in the
approaching campaign in Alabama.
whether the issue will be local or general
Is the only matter Of doubt. Unless there
should appear in the field as a guberna-
toriaI aspirant some strong dispensary ad-
vocate, the ISSUE will probably be local.
Strong dispensarN advocates assert that
DR.. r. NJ Cunningham, OF Jefferson, for
mer president OF the state senate, or Hon.
Frank S. Moody, OF Tuscaloosa, promi-
nent banker, could win the gubernatorial
nomination OF the Democratic party on
the dispensary issue 1t was through the
concerted action OF these two gentlemen
three years ago. while members of@the
state senate, that a general -dispensary
bin was passed through the upper house,
and carrying the Tight into the lower
branch, IL required very strong parlia-
mentary tactics to defeat the measure.
After this fight Senators Cunningham
and Moody did not return to the senate,
and another fight for a general dispense
~ bill has not been attempted. In the
meantime two legislatures have author
lied the establishment of dispensaries in
a number OF towns, and wherever estab-
lished they have proven most satisfactory
10 the public and great money-makers for
the municipalities. II has been the Gus
tom to devote the proceeds or profits OF
these dfspensaries TO the general and
school funds OF the towns in which they
are established. with the result that such
towns now have a very low rate of mu-
nicipal taxation. In West Blocton, where
a dispensary was established one year
ago, no municipal tax is levied, the dis
pensary furnishing sufficient funds to pay
the expenses OF the government and to
build a small system of waterworks.
Dothan has had a dispensary for four
years. and du-iRg that time has received
in profits sufficient funds TO build a hand
some public school house at cost OF
81, o0e and to construct a system Of sew
erage at a cost OF $4,000. Liberal appro-
priations were also made for tie support
OF the school.
II. seems that Tuscaloosa, where a dis
pensary was established only the first Of
the present year, will break all records
as a money-maker. Figuring on the basis
OF the January business of the Tuscaloo-
sa dispensary. its profits for the year viii
reach $4,000. Before the establishment OF
the dispensary five saloons did business in
Tuscaloosa, and it is said that the dispen-
sary sold less than the former average Of
the saloons by one-fOurth. Drunkenness
on the streets Is not so common, and the
town has become one of the most orderly
IN the state Inc arrests Tor January, 1907,
were Al less than for the corresponding
month OF 1901.
Dispensaries have been established in
the following towns I'm this state: Ashford,
Clayton. Columbia, Camp HILL Camden,
COlumbiana. Dothan. Edwardville, Head
land, Hurtsboro, Florence, Athens, La
fayette.- Loretta, Marion, Oneanta, Luz
verne. Scale. Tuskegee, Troy, Tuscaloosa,
Tuscumbia. West Blocton, Uniontown.
Roanoke. Wedowee.
II is expected that many Alabama towns
viii be clamoring before the next legisla-
ture for the establishment Of dispensaries.