The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-31

tinue unembarrassed their cillvlzing work
 National and State Revenue.
 Your correspondent asked a citizen of Jackson today how 1t Is that there is n preponderance of the number of United States liquor licenses over state licenses held in this state, and he said that the federal government was very severe in punishment of unlicensed liquor dealers. and that detection by federal authority was dreaded. Many who have govern ment license are rarely detected by state authorities, because the government re- qulres that It's certificate of license shall be posted in public place. However, said he, the penalty for not posting is very small. and many violators of the law run this risk and conceal their cer- tfcates.
 Another prominent citizen tells me that the wildcat" blind tiger fellows are gradually ceasing to take even federal license. and are taking chances on the whole proposition. finding themselves less susceptible to detection by refraining from listing with either branch of gov ernment; and so the thing goes on.
 Deep Interest Manifested.
 This subject of prohibition Is one of deep interest and much discussion, not only fin Mississippi, but In Alabama as we'll. hence these references to the matter. Ex- Governor Longlno, a man of excellent parts, a devout Baptist, as Is Governor elect Noel. said to me today: q regret exceedingly to see that the people are so much aroused on the subject of prohibit ton. A bitter conflict seems imminent in these states. and I fear 1t will be hurt full to general industrial and social in- terests. It's tho real red flag of political warfare. It draws fro mthe slums, from the workshop, from the business desk, from the pulpit and from the family fire side men. and even women. in close con fict, and the very question itself Is a eace-breaker. I think 1t would be so much better if the schools. the churches and the home would take hold of all moral questions and eliminate them from the malstrom of public political contests. ''
 Church and State. A Mississippian said to me the other day: 'I see the Methodists have gone into politics and the Episcopalians are dabbling a little In religion over in Ala bama: and when these things happen you better look out, for something will be doing" He of course had reference to the prohibition questions, on which devout church members of all denominations are honestly differing in their views and ex pressions, and this fact adds to the force of Governor Longino's views.
 A Conclusion.
 In all my inquiries as to the workings of prohibition laws in this and other states, l have thus far failed to find q man who expresses the belief that even though the state closes the saloon and punishes an occasional vlolator of the law 1t would cause a cessation of the manu- facture, the sale illegally. the use and the damaging effects of intoxicants; nor have I heard any expression from any source contrary to the idea and the fact that thousands of dollars, yes millions are sent every year from so-called pro hibitlon communities and states to others that are not so for the purpose of pur- chasing liquor; nor have I heard any one deny the fact that the opportunity af- forded by prohibition laws, for the com mission of offenses against law, and tile alluring offers held out to the ignorant and the vicious, Is within itself contrary to the strict rules of morality.
 And yet 1t is universally conceded that the excessive use of vinous, spirituous ano malt liquors is one of the greatest evils with which this country has to contend