The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-01
LOCAL OPTION LAW
MAY Be ENACTED
Anti-SaIoon League is Having
Great Success
NOMINEES ARE PLEDGED
State Superintendent Brooks Law
renee Says That 30 Per Cent of
the Legislative Nominees
Favor Measure.

I'VE are well pleased with the work
that has been accomplished in the re-
cent campaign in the state for the cause
of local option" said State Superintendent
Brooks Lawrence of the Anti-saloon
League of Alabama last night.
I'VE have about so per cent of the
nominees for the legislature elected at
last Mondays primary primaries held
prior to that time pledged to the support
Of a local option bill, which will be In
troduced at the next session of the legis-
lature.
THE four members nominated from
Jefferson county last Monday favor local
option. Also Mr.. Miller who was nomi-
mated to the state senate from this coun-
ty favors this measure. We hope to Sc
cure other three members who will favor
the legislation and I understand that the
six men who will make the race for the
legislature in the second primary are in
accord with our movement.
Is Non-Partlsan.
1.-The Anti-saloon league is not a polit-
ical party and takes no part in partisan
contests farther than to advocate good
men and fight men who we believe would
be unsafe to the moral interests of the
public. The league has the support Of all
Christian churches and moral organiza-
lions.
while the movement was only started
in Alabama two years ago. 1t had Its
beginning in America fourteen years ago
in Ohio During the short time that we
have been at work In Alabama great
things have been accomplished In the way
of organization and educating the people
in the purposes of the movement.
THE ideas we advocate are the most
democratic In the world. and ideas of gov
eminent that must and will prevail. feel
certain that a local option law will be
passed at the next session Of the legisla-
ture and when 1t Is the league will see
that 1t is enforced. The work of the
league does not stop at the passage of
the laws it advocates, but remains in the
field to see to the strict enforcement of
those laws.
Local Option Desired.
1--WE are asking for law that no dem
ocratic government can ignore. We ask
that the people In each county be allowed
a vote on the regulation of the liquor traf-
fc in each county Nothing could be
more democratic.
1--WE have on the statute books OF Ala
bama one Of the most Infamous laws that
ever existed, and one of the first things
that we shall attempt to do Is to repeal
that law The measure I refer to is the
one that compels the probate judge Of any
to, license saloon on the petition
of twenty freeholders.
Though ten times as many freehoders
petition that the license be not granted
the Judge has no dlseresion In the matter,
and must license the grocery. For in
stance, some parties wanted not long ago
to open a saloon In Leighton, small
town In Colbert county. The required
twenty freeholders could not be found
who were willing to sign the petition, and
the better class of negroes refusing,
negroes to make them legal signers of the
petition. The probate judge was COM
PEELED under the law to grant the license
in absolute disregard of the wishes of
great majority of the best citizens of the
community.
Waits Public Sentiment.
1.-THE Anti Saloon league does not go in
advance of public sentiment. We do not
attempt to force prohibition in a county
or In community where 1t is not wanted
and where public sentiment Is not pre-
pared for it. We only ask that the peo-
pie be allowed a vote in the matter of
saloons and believe that this is the only
safe and just method of regulation.
THE prohibition sentiment Is growing
In the state and there is general demand
and a great need for a local option law as
already exists in Georgia and Mississippi.
now has twenty-five prohibition
and we believe with a local op-
lion law many others will Immediately
Join the column of reform. Prohibition
was secured in the twenty-five counties
by special local legislation.
"As l said before, the work of the league
IS not finished when we secure the passage
Of local option laws nor is 1t done after
we have received prohibition. The organ
cation is perpetual and really our greatest
work is in prohibition counties. Backed
by every Christian In the country we
stand guard for the people and demand
the strict enforcement of the prohibition
laws. BY educating public sentiment we
try to suppress the Illegal sale of liquors
in prohibition counties.
Liquor Shipments.
1.-THE league will also take up the matter
Of having laws enacted to regulate the
shipping of liquors into prohibition com
OF course we cannot interfere
with interstate commerce, but we hope
to do some effective work along this
line.
You will see that the work OF the
league is divided into three parts-agita-
tive, legislative and law enforcement or
executive. In the work of agitation which
is system Of education, we have pro-
crossed wonderfully well. and now we
have reached the Legislative period in the
state work. With eighty per cent of the
members of the next legislature pledged
to our cause we have no fear OF success
in this quarter.
with the proper education of public
sentiment we hope to secure actual and
effective prohibition throughout the state