The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-20
WHOLE STATE GOES DRY
 ON JANUARY 1, 1903
Only Hammer and Spragins Vote Against Carmichael Measure-John Pistol Bill Passes the House.
 Insurance Bill Killed.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery, November 19.-(Speciall The most spectacular legislative session ever held in Alabama was that of the senate today, the item of interest being the statutory prohibition bill, already adopted by the house ana a special order for the noon hour. The galleries were filled with women who were working for the elimination of whisky, while a large delegation of Mobile women opposing pro- hibition walked and worked about the lobby.
 So great was the interest on the outside all the space was filled. Seeing the situa- tion, Leutenant- Governor Henry B, Gray ordered the doors opened, believing that all should be allowed the maximum of privilege at times like this.
 While the speaking was going on there were cheers after cheers and hand-clap- ping at every good point When the vote was announced with only two votes against it, the assembly broke out with Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" the sounds reverberatlng through the old building until hundreds of throats took it.
 As passed the bill provides that the state shall be dry after January 1, 1909.
 MT. Reese's Position.
 Speaking of his objection to the pres ence of the ladies in the senate chamber today, Senator Reese of Dallas said:
 ''The ruling of the lieutenant governor oyer the objection of Senator Teasley, that the large number of persons. includ- ing ladies, should occupy and block up the floor of the senate was in total dis regard and defiance of section 57 of the constitution, which provides No person sl1zii Dc admitted TO tho floor Of eitf1er llouse while the same is in session, except members of the legislature, officers and employees of the two houses, the governor and his secretary, representatives of the press, and other prsons to whom either house, by unanimous vote, may extend the privileges of its floor. Myself and ] all other public officers have solemnly sworn, I will support the constitution of Alabama Hence the violation of the con stitution constitutes a violation of tho oath of office; 8 crowd In the senate chamber applauding and cheering utter ances of senators is as unseemly as crowd in d court house applauding and cheering the charge of a judge to a jury. Ninety-ive per cent of the crowd were on my side of the prohibition question; hence 1t will be clear that my sense of duty was in conflict with my personal in- clination Departures from and violations of our constitution are always danger ous."
 Hayes Explains Vote.
 During the roll call of the senate on the prohibition bill, Mir. Hayes said:
 MT President, I ask unanimous con sent to explain my vote. One Of my counties Lauderdale, has been dry for years. The wave has struck Limestone, an election has been ordered and notwith- standing we have just issued bonds for good roads and expected our dlspensary to meet them, Limestone will give the usual majority.
 "Being desirous to carry out the plat form and stand by local option and thus he fair to other counties, 1 came here in- tending to vote against the bill. Up to few days ago l was still opposed to 1t; but. sir few days ago, when the liquor men of Decatur, just across the rlver from us, undertook to set aside the wishes of five-sixths of the voters or Morgan county, my people, having had enough of injunctions and fearing 1ur- ther restraining orders, got busy. They have sent committees to see me; they have sent petitions signed by hundreds of my constituents; they have written me dozens of letters; they have deiused me with telegrams of all sorts from all sorts of people. I ask the indulgence or inc senate to read only two One of them is signed by a very frank and candid friend. like my good friend the senator from Marengo You will note he does not agree with me on railroad regulation. IL roads. You have consistently voted to down Alabama financially; now cast one vote. honestly representing your constitu- ents: vote for state prohibition ..The other is from my good wife. l once heard of a man who got married, and when he and his wife were ready to set up housekeeping they differed as to the kind of sheets they should use. He wanted cotton sheets, and she wanted linen ones A friend asked him how he settled 1t. He said, Oh. we compromised Inv ,,sine linen sheets. MT. President, In n long and happy married life of more than 40 years, to the best woman on earth. I have found that much of that hanrdness resulted from our compromises. The senator from Randolph would do well to remember this-Mrs. Hayes has nronosed another compromise on the fol- lowing terms and conditions, to-W1t: She says Vote for'--she even leaves on the word please I don't know whether she did this to save cost on the telegram, or be- l cause of her intense anxiety to perfect | +bis compromise. She says Vote for I state prohibition and save the boys and | girls
 l with her and vote aye.
 Compulsory Education. An explanation of one or two features of the compulsory education bill by MT. Reynolds opened the afternoon session of the senate ,., @a nsternaiism. and MT. Lowe from a standpoint of expediency
 Mr Merritt thought the bill good one and hoped it would pass.
 MT. Reese voted for the bill because he had been impressed that his people want E ed it.
 ! The vote stood ayes 14, nays F. The bill to legalize dissecting human bodies was introduced and the bill for guards at the Mobile jail passed. Theoe other bills were passed ~ z.Ir. <A