The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-07
LOCAL OPTION BILLS
ANTl-sALOON LEAGUE OFFICERS
 PREPARE TWO MEASURES.
Would Pass Law to Give Home Raie fn Several Counties--Organisntie Establishes Headquarters
 In City.

Int passage of law which will per mt one fourth of the voters Of pre- cinet. town or county the privilege of calling an election on the question Of prohibition, is the object of the local option bill which will bc introduced in the Legislature by the Anti-Saloon League of Alabama.
 Rev. Brooks Lawrence. Superinten- dent of the State Anti-Saloon League and Dr. c. W. Young. Assistant Su- perintendent of the National Anti-Sa- loon League, are in Montgomery in the interest of the bill, and have estab- ilshed temporary headquarters in the Pollak Building. They will remain throughout tho session.
 The local option bill which will be introduced in the Legislature by the Anti-Saloon League of the State. is de- signed No give a general law to place in the hands of the people the means of protecting themselves against the liquor trafic if they so desire. In nc instance does the makers of the bill ask the legislators to vote 10 close the saloons or dispensar1es in Alabama, but simply to vote to give the people the privilege of settling the matter by vote.
 Neither does the bill imply State pro- hibition. It sets forth plainly the fact that State prohibition could not be put into force by tho legislators themselves. it heinz necessary for them to pass an amendment to the Constitution as a legislative act. and then to submit the proposed amendment to the people for ratification or rejection at the next general election.
 The proposed bills which will he in- troduced by the League arc designed by the originators to provide for local self government on the liquor question,
 Aa Ia rf as follows:
 "wheu ne-fourth of the qualified electors of a county, petition for elee- ton, the probate judge shall order an election to be held within between thirty and forty days with tho entire county as unit, and notice of such election shall be published twenty days.
 The probate judge, clerk and sheriff shall appoint managers and returning officers for each precinct in the county. and all work of election shall be car ried on the same as an ordinary elec- ton of county officials.
 "The result of the election remains in force for & period not less than two years, and no election can be held in the county oftener than that period.
 'If the majority of the electors of the county city. town or precinct are against the sale of liquor, then all places In the county, city or precinct must close their doors on December 31, next, succeeding the date of the selec- ton.
 The provision of the proposed bill will not have the effect to repeal or annual any law which now or which at the time of such election prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor within any county or town of Alabama.
 In the second bill is proposed amend ment to the code with reference to re- tailers and liquor dealers. The amend ment provides that an. applicant for license must also present a petition signed by twenty-five percent of the qualified voters within the limit of the town. city or precinct in which he pro poses to engage in business, setting forth the fact that he is of good moral character, and Is in all respects prop CT person to be licensed. This appli- cation and petition must lay over Tor at least hirty' days. and during that time a counter petition may be pre- pared by those opposed to the Issuing of the license, and if such counter pe- titlon contain the signature of ma 1ority of the qualified voters In that county. town or precinct. then the licensing authority shall refuse to is- sue license to one or all applicants for license, according to terms of county petition, as the county petition priVl- leges will allow the petitions to pre- vent license being issued to one or all applicants according to the desire. N
 The officers of the League have only two bills on which they hope to secure passage, but they are interested in one or two measures for the enforcement of laws m prohibition territories that individual representatives are draft ing. and will co-ocerate with those par ties.
 Mir. Lawrence and Dr. Young are sanguine of the success of the passage of their bills. They say they have been assured Of the support of the ma iortty of the legislators, and have small fears Of the ultimate result of the movement for lcsislation for the liquor traffic in Alabama.
 There is nothing arbitrary In the bill" was the comment made by MT. Lawrence.> speaking on the subject last night It is only justice which we ask One of the provisions of our bli' is that in a county election, If the r"- turns show a majority for the sale ol Houor, then license must be issued. but only in precincts where there was majority In the precinct showing majority against the sale of liquor, no license shall he issued
 Mir. Lawrence preached yesterday at the Clayton Street Methodist Church. and last night at the West End Sap list Church on subjects relating to the Iiauor traffic. League, and asked ma tnrial help to carry on the work or tne League in the state