Evening star., 1907-08-24

strong effort to retain the liquor traffic.
Thus. though nearly all Tennessee has de-
clared itself against the traffic. the three
big cities of Memphis, Nashville and Chat
tanooga still permit the sale of liquors.
Alabama's new law limiting the hours
when liquor can be sold to and o'clock
particularly pleased the workers for pro-
| hibtion. because they have contended that
most of the dark deeds inspired by drink are
committed at night.
The Texas Evil
In Texas the evil influence welded by
the saloon politician undoubtedly had a
great deal to do with eliminating strong
drink. The saloon was the gathering place
for the men OF a community. here they
made friendships and gained their ideas, and
the saloonkeeper, by a system of favors
and credits. was able to be a powerful
factor in deciding how elections should co.
In the fight which Texas is making for
progress 1t recognized that first OF all
the saloon CRATER must be wiped out Only
by abolshing his business could he be put
out of power, and this is what has been
accomplished in so per cent of the entire
area of the state.
The great movement to lessen the drink
ing habit in the United States is not con-
fined to the south. though at the present
time progress there makes that section the
most discussed. But from Maine to Califor-
MA, anu from lIe lakes 10 the IOlr or
Mexico. restrictive measures are constantly
being increased in severity.
Georgia will be the fourth absolute prohl-
bition state in the Union after January 1
next. The other three are Kansas Maine
and North Dakota. Alaska, which is a ter
ritory, has prohibition under an act of
Congress.
Local option prevails IN the following
states and territories: Alabama. Arizona,
Arkansas. California. Colorado Connecticut,
Florida. Maryland. Massachusetts, Michi-
gan. Mississippi, Missouri. Montana, Ne
braska, New Jersey, New York, North Car
olina, Ohio. Oregon, Rhode Island and Wis
consin. In the other states and territories
various methods are pursued.
In most of them liquor licenses are issued
by the courts or city councils. or both.
In the Far West
In Nevada and New Mexico the license is
issued by the county commissioners, who
exact fee in Navada ranging from $50 to
5000, according to the population of the
town. In Texas the liquor license is issued
by the county clerk and the fee is $500.
In Utah the local authorities control and
the license ranges from 500 to S1,2oC.
In Delaware the courts license the sale of
liquor and charge a fee Of from $500 to $500.
Louisiana has state and local license from
500 upward. In Massachusetts,, where
there is local option, the fee is not less than
81 ,000 and the number Of saloons limited to
for every 1000 inhabitants except in
Boston, where the ratio is one saloon for
every 500 popula
The license in Pennsylvania Is under the
complete control of the courts. In New
Hampshire license to sell liquor is issued
only on petition of majority of the voters
of the community and the fees are based
upon the population.
If this thing keeps on the next time one
governor finds a conference proceeding SO
slowly that It needs stimulation he'll be
remarking to his brother executive:
Governor, it's q long time between
drinks. Let's 60 and get a glass OF lemon
ade.'