The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-22


 me not only by reason of my views and convictions but by reason of my lone- someness in the stand l took in the re- | cent session of the legislature.
 ''The prohibition question brings m th. matter of whether or not the democratic party of Alabama shall become the prohi- bition party. Everybody knows that the the national prohibition party is a joke. and why should the democratic party be purdened with a question foreign to the principles of our forefathers?
 ''rhe prohibitionists in the recent leeiS- lature were not willing to let the people say what they wanted as provided in the local option bill, but by force of numbers they deprived the various counties of the right to voice their sentiment relative 10 so important a question. The legislature i simply concluded that those of us who didn't want prohibition ought to have it any way
 The legislature of which was mem 1 ber had several bosses. One was 4 gen. tleman from Ohio. who was boss in all things moral and spiritual Another was our governor who was boss in all things material. And then there were others My friends, I regret to say these bosses bossed just little too much
 "The question. it seems to me. is not whether prohibition is wrong or whether 1t is right, but 1t is a question of citf- zens' rights. Prohibition forced upon A community which does not want it is the worst sort of an evil.
 T have always given to my children for reading book on education written 1 oy Herbert Spencer. It is a big book which was written for the purpose of teaching men to think There were no doubt a number of men in the legisla- ture who have not read this book" Opposes the Amendment
 Senator Spragins spoke briefly upon the | constitutional amendments to be sub mitted to the people in the general cleo tion to be held next month. He urged 1 those present to let the constitution alone. i He stated that 1t had served well enough. even better than was expected when it | was adopted, He said that the new county amendment was passed in the legislature | purely and simply for the purpose of 1 dismembering Jefferson county. Relative 1 to the good roads amendment he stated that the counties had always done fairly well in the way of building roads and declared that if the matter of the con- struction of roads were placed in the hands of the state it would be impossible to handle the matter with any degree 1 of fairness. Speaking upon the question Of whether the la s,lo biennially or quadrennially he urged that the Legislature meets often enough as it It. He said that if there ever came a. time when the legislature was needed be- tween the times of the regular sessions that it was in the power of the gov ernor to call special sessions.
 Senator spragins advocates none of the | amendments.
 Predicts Bryan Victory. In speaking of national politics Senator Spragins predicted a triumphant victory 1 for Bryan. He said "rhe democrats 1 have simply run the republicans off of inc face of the earth on the questions of tariff, publicity of campaign funds. tbe Philippines question and everything else. 1 The republicans now come on the eye of 1 the election, usual and throw up their hands, crying. Don't elect Bryan for his election means destructive panic. i l predict a triumphant election of the noble standard-bearer of the democratic party on November 3. and further pre- dict upon his election. greater prosperity than our country has ever enjoyed"
 Senator Joseph F. Johnston made one of his characteristic speeches on s.The German in America" It was brief and very humorous
 Last nights programme was inter- spersed with music both instrumental and vocal. The programme follows:
 l. Overture, Lustspiel," (KeIler-BeIIa). orchestra
 9 (a) 'fDe Ehre Gottes." CBeethoven): (b) "Haidenroslein." (Werner), Birming- ham Mannerchor
 g. Opening Remarks Hon. Frank Deed- meyer.
 4 Piano Solo La valse de Faust" LiszD, Madame Onofrio Torino.
 D. Grafton in German-Rev. L. Hopp of Cullman.
 G. 'The Royal Chef Jerome). orches- tra.
 :. Grafton in English--Senator Robert E. Spragins, Huntsville. s. Baritone Solo (a) Annie Laurie" (Folksong) (b) 'Es ist mir alles Eins.' German Folksong), Prof G. O. F'rier- mood.
 g. Violin Solo-"Maiden Wish," (Chopin), Miss Regina Heinberg. 10. Oration-"The German in America" United States Senator Joseph r. Johnston IT, Soprano Solo--(a) "Mutterfreuden (Bolk); (b) '"rhe Merry Bobelnk," CNil- son). Mrs. G. ]. Seyerin. F. My Maryland,' (teist), orchestra.
 lrinale-'Die Wacht am Rhein" (Carl Wilhelm). sung by the audience. accom- panied by. the orchestra.
 
 HANDSOME NEW AMBULANCE.