The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-20

the people for the law. He believes that the business is bad. and he would like to see it suppressed if there was eer- tainty that it could be done without hurt to the law-abiding sentiments of the peo- pie.
 However, Mobile should be allowed to say by the local option plan whether or not it wants it. said the Mayor, "Other cities have been allowed this privilege and why not Mobile The Mayor then points out that the loss to the city in licenses will run about 1000 a year, which, until the loss can be offset in some way, will mean the closing of the schools.
 The Mayor also says that it will be im possible to keep the law; that men will go out in boats past the three-mile limit, get the liquors from New Orleans or some other city and sell it. giving the city and county the evils of the traffic without the revenue This will make the law hard in fact, almost impossible of keep ing.
 Bill Called Up.
 At II o'clock the clerk of the senate announced that the special order was the prohibition bill Previously MT. Teasey had made objection to the privileges of the floor being granted to anyone. He said the crowds were so great and the noise so general that the senators would not be able to hear what was said. Mir Lusk and others objected to the objec- tion and later it was withdrawn.
 MT. Thomas arose to discuss the bill. He asked for 10 minutes recess to talk the matter over and make an effort for agreement.
 MT. Lusk said an agreement had been reached between all the interested parties to let the bill pass with the time of effec- tivness moved up to January 1. 1909. He said this would embrace all the proni- bition laws pending save the bill to pro- hibit sale in clubs, which would be fought out on it's merits.
 MT. Lelth and Mr. Lowe strenuously ob- jected to this. Both thought tho bill should become effective right away, cer- talnly not later than next October. They believed the people of the state were de- manding that no longer time be given.
 Doors Thrown Open.
 After the removal of the objection of MT. Teasley to allow privileges of the floor, the doors were thrown open and the discussion of the measure taken up with the senate sitting in the whole house so to speak. The crowds were immense. They filled the senate walls and inside seats and were backed out into the lobby to the doors of the house across the hall. Those arriving late were not able to get near enough to hear the speeches.
 Nothing like the excitement that the discussion of the bill has aroused has been seen in Montgomery since the days of the secession convention. Men and women pushed each other to get places where they could hear and see the speakers. Cries of good, good" hoard n Inc midst of the Snpai<- ing, and cheer after cheer went up as some good hit was made for prohibl tion. The crowd was dominated by the anti-liquor forces and kept up the cheering all the times
 MT. Lowe spoke for early effect of the bill. He objected to postponement to 1910, and thought next October long enough to put it off. MT. Moody was strongly for the compromise and ar gued that it was only fair to give the liquor men to get contracts and leases closed
 Mir. Spargins followed MT. Moody and argued against the whole proposition saying that the only right way is by focal option. The party is committed to the democratic doctrine of local self government and he thought each coun- ty should be allowed to handle the question in it's own best way.
 pSHdlOl IItltH ol'ohc dt5oiiiSN hiiN 'C'if promise. He thought the bull should become effective next october. Senator Reese objected to ladies in the chamber to influence legislation.
 MT. Reid asked if the ladies were not always on the side of right
 "They are and I am with them," said MT. Reese, but I am looking at the principle of such action and to what lengths it might run
 AT mo n for the measure, holding that it is the duty of the state to protect the people and not work injury to any one.
 In his address Senator Moody ar gued for the compromise It was right and just he thought Messrs. Overton and Reid were for the measure. Sena- tor Leith still fought the compromise. He had never seen a successful com promise with the devil.
 Senator Hinson spoke for the bill. He was also for the compromise. MT. Ham ner. like MT. Spragins, was for local op- tion. He therefore opposed the bill.
 Amendment. Adopted.
 After this talking the amendment to make the date of effectiveness January 1. 1909. was put on it's passage, other amendments by the committee haVlns been voted down. It passed, B to l, MT. Ieith heinz the only man to vote in the negative
 It is interesting to note that the com promise thus approved takes with 1t the bill to appropriate $5OO0 a, year for an officer of the state to enforce the laws. Also that it is to give effect to all the prohibition measures that have been talk en up.
 After the talk the bill was put on pass age. going through on a vote of 32 to Z, snragins of Madison and Hammer of Eto- wah being the only ones to vote nay.
 When the result of the vote was an spounced the women waved ribbons ana cheered. One of them struck up the song "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" and it was caught all over the