The Lexington advertiser., 1907-12-06
THE SPREAD OF PROHIBITION
SENTIMENT.

the primary has the statutory proniDi-
tion against which Mr.. Foster de-
clares, acquired acute local vitality.
While certain happenings in the past
year have turned Vicksburg sentiment
against saloons, the aggressive atti-
tude now in evidence dates directly
from the Birmingham election.
In the light of recent tests--in Ala
bama, Tennessee, Georgia, the Caro-
linas, Illinois and elsewhere pr0hibi.
tion has mastered the public mind as
never before. There is no occasion for
county tests any more-by all the
signs and tokens Mississippi is as sure
to enact state prohibition law as the
legislature is to meet. But for this
there would be an election called in
the few Mississippi dry counties in
thirty days and every one OF them
would vote out the saloons just as sure
ly. No exception is made of Warren
county, this time. After Birming-
ham no one out q bigot or a Bourbon
doubts that the result will be the same
henceforth, wherever the question is
tested. Local option as an issue is
as dead as last years bird nest.
There are still a few counties where
under peculiar social conditions and
the force of traditional saloon hold
on local politics, the phrase yet bobs
up-a puerile breakwater against the
resistless tide of prohibition. This is
not asserted it is demonstrated fact
demonstrated in the recent statutory
prohibition law of Alabama by le-
gislature elected upon local option
platform.
If, in the state of Alabama. the form
al instructions of a Democratic state
convention could not inspire whole
legislative body, and the governor, to
stand out against prohibition, what is
to be expected for Mississippi, when
the legislature meets in JacksonH In
the first place, the legislature, except
less Than a dozen members of both
houses, represent dry constituencies.
Many have been instructed, and near
ly all of them are understood to be,
for statutory prohibition. They will
be so urged by both the outgoing and
the incoming governors. Under such
circumstances the information is her
aided that there will be a fight for To-
cal option the HonA T. r. Foster
has been selected to lead the forces
against the statutory prohibition bill, >
reads recent jackson special. Select
ed by whom the public is not inform
ed, nor is it material. This proposed
movement against statutory prohibi
tion.- the common idea of for
lorn hope What the forces agains
, a statutory prohibition bill' propos
or expect to accomplish we know not
But this much we do know-than il
the prevailing popular temper, thei
vain resistance can have no other effec
than to cause irritation. So far fron
= postponing the etfacement OF the sa
looms it will hasten it. Far wise
|, would it te for the saloon defender
to lay aside all talk os' local option.
Cast ont the Thought of opposition to
statutory prohibition bill. Thro'
= themselves on the mercy of the coul
, and plead for time in which to MAX
their exit. This may prove ineffec'
i've, but resistance is sure to give til
, saloon a short shift. There is no o.
- pectation Of the adoption of sue
. . course--it is recommended to a clal
70 notorious for taking good advice aft.
IL it is too late. .-Vicksburg Herald.