The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-30
'GEORGM WILL
HAVE STRICT
PROHIBITION

Atlanta. Ca. Dec. 3o-"The overwhelm-
ing sentiment OF the white people OF Geor-
eia ls for prohibition, and the law will be
enforced" was the emphatic statement
made by Gov. Hoke Smith on the eve
OF the state becoming more absolutely
''dry" than any state In the South has
ever been before
With the advent OF the new year the
law preventing the manufacture and sale
of intoxica ting liquor passed by the last
session OF the legislature becomes effec-
tive. making Georgia the first OF the
southern states In which prohibition OBJ
tains.
The law is very drastic and prevents
keeping or giving away liquors In pubic
places and imposes a tax OF 500 on clubs
whose members are allowed to keep
drinks Of an intoxicating nature In their
Individual lockers.
Notwithstanding tho passage OF the
law, there is some agitation to have II
declared unconstitutional. and II In known
that prominent Arm OF lawyers has
been asked 10 test the legislation. The ac-
ton may be brought In the United states
court I'm the course OF the next month,
and IL will be based. II is said. on the fact
that the constitution OF Georgia specific
ally provides that all revenue from liquor
licenses shall be used for the school fund.
Several million dollars loss 10 the state
Is involved i'm the operation OF the law.
IT is estimated today that Atlanta alone
the property value of saloons and brew
cries here which will go out of business
on Jan. ] is Sl.oo0oo0 10 sl.5o,0oo
As to the rest OF the state the property
values involved are about 100000. IL is
estimated here that 1900 persons In the
state are affected I'm the way of employ
ment. and that Atlanta alone has some
1900 persons who will lose their places
when Jan. ends the sale OF intoxicating
liquors
There is no doubt but that the law will
be enforced. This IL not the country OF
the "speak-easy," and Gov. Smith and the
city court officials frankly say thnt they
intend 10 have the law obeyed, and that
no fines VIII be imposed for the illegal
sale of liquor, but that prison sentences
will follow violations OF the prohibition
act.
A peculiar feature OF the law II that
not even the Incorporated clubs may pro-
vide intoxicating drinks for their mem
bers. either with or without food A man
may have a locker In club and keer
whatever he pleases I'm this locker, but
a club having such lockers 10 subject &c
an excise tax OF $500 year. Several OF
the clubs In Georgia are providing lock-
ers. but many others have declared that
they will themselves prohibit keeping
liquor inside their walls.
The question now arises where the
funds for the maintenance OF the public
schools will come from, and II Is said that
a considerable increase IN the tax rate
may result. Previous 10 the passage OF
prohibition. OF the las counties in the
state. only IL allowed the sale OF liquor
under license. and four or five others al
lowed its sale through dispensaries con-
trolled by the counties. The great ma
5ority had already voted for total prohibi-
tior.
The Prohibtionists plan 10 have a mon
ster jubilee and demonstration I'm this
city on the night of Dec 81 when SER
vices are 20 be held In many places TO
watch out the old year and watch In the
new.
Rev L. @. Broughton, who has held re-
vivai services In Brooklyn, Boston and
other eastern cities, is making plans for
a service at his Baptist tabernacle that
will be unique. He Is going to hold a
meeting. starting early IN the evening
and lasting until after midnight Just as
the hour Of l2 is indicated. he declares
ne Is going TO break bottle OF whiskey
while he stands in one OF the aisles OF
hts church
The police had almost nothing to do on
Saturday and Sunday. although there has
been no restriction placed upon the sale
OF liquor that has not always been In
force.