Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-11
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FOR PuRPos M
sTlTuTloNI
Antl-ssloon Lcaau
With Those Wild
Equalization Of ia
and Other Changes.
FOR PURPOS
sTlTuTIoN
Daily News Special.

Daily news special.
jackson. July 11.--An
report is current in politid
that the leaders of the sevef
ments to secure changes in 4
sissippi constitution are prepaf
combine forces to put their meal
through the next legislative assem-
and, failing in this, they will conce
trate their efforts to secure constl
tutional convention.
Following the theory that in union is
strength, this is undoubtedly clever
bit of strategy. For instance, the Mis-
sissippi prohibitionists, whose leaders
held conference in Jackson yester-
day, and declared for statutory and
constitutional convention, could be of
material aid to the forces that are
fighting for new legislative appor-
tionment, an elective Judiciary ssys-
TEN, and better method of tax equel1
ization. These four subjects, beyon
all doubt, will attract more attention.
in the next Legislature than all otherv
measures combined, and many legis-
lators will be elected on pledges to
support one or all Of these proposed
amendments to the organic law.
The northern counties are expected
to fight the proposition for more equit-
able apportionment, but at the same
time majority of the lawmakers
from that section will be found array
ed, as they aveAlways been in the
past, in favor of Prohibition. To rec
oncile this conflict will be rather
troublesome task, but the leaders of
each proposed constitutional change
can doubtless find common ground
on which to conduct their respective
campaigns in such a manner as one
measure will not jeopardize the sue
cess of another.
The declaration of the Mississippi
Anti-Saloon League for statutory and
constitutional prohibition is not sur
prise. 1t has been generally known
for several months that this demand
would be made, and the adoption of
yesterdays resolution was but pre-
liminary to an aggressive campaign
that will be waged against the open
saloon. Instead of having local op-
ton fights in the few counties where
saloons still exist, the prohibitionists
have decided to put them out of bust
mess with one fell swoop, and they are
confident that this can be accomplish
ed by demanding statutory prohi-
bition law, applicable to all of the
counties, and which will remain in
force and effect, until the consultations
al amendment can be voted upon by
the people, and, If adopted, inserted in
the organic, law Should the amend
ment fail of adoption, the statutory
measure would be in force and effect.
The National Retail Liquor Dealers
Association is expected to put up a
spirited fight, and spend the usual
amount of money to influence the law
! makers against the proposed legisla-
ton, but they will not find it as easy
to win the fight as in former years
Public sentiment against the open sa
: loon in Mississippi was never SC
strong as now, and it in reality seems
that the saloonists might as well yield
to the Inevitable.
The elective Judiciary, legislative
apportionment and tax equalization
questions are also commanding full
share of public attention. and much
sentiment is being aroused in theil
behalf. Organizations are being per
fected in behalf Of each and with good
generalship they can at least be pu
! through the Legislature and submitted
I to the people for ratification or rejec