The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-05
ALABAMA DRY
BY POPULAR: | VOTE

Two Years Ago Such a State Of
Affairs Would Have Been
Impossible.
JEFFERSON CARRIED STATE
IL any one had seriously predicted
two years ago that Jefferson county,
including the city Of Birmingham, and
the State OF Alabama would establish
prohibition by popular vote, he would
have been considered q man OF no.
Judgment and utterly ignorant OF the
existing conditions And vet that is
Just what Jefferson county, which in
largest county In. the Southern States
outside OF the one in which New Or
leans is located. and the State OF Ala
bama have done. Prohibition In JEFF
ferson county and Birmingham goes
into effect the list OF January, 1908.
This was accomplished by a local OPP
tion election provided for by the Leg
sislature. The entire State OF Alabama
Will be prohibition January !, 1909.
Legislature ut It's special session, which
closed only a few weeks ago.
"A review will be given OF the situa-
ton in the State first, and then the
origin and history OF the movement
will be set forth more specifically.
Alabama declared most emphatically
for State prohibition through what is
known as the Carmichael bill' at the
last session Of the Legislature. About
30 per cent. OF the territory OF the
State is under prohibition law, or will
be on January 1. 1908. There are not
over three counties In the State In
which there Is not total or partial re-
strlction now on the sale OF liquor.
and one OF them. jefferson county. will
prohibit the liquor traffic with the new
year. The other two are Mobile and
Winston, In opposite ends OF the state.
and after the State law becomes eff
fective, January ]. 1909. the sale OF
liquor Will be prohibited also in those
counties. Many OF the large counties,
like Montgomery and Dallas, have for
years allowed liquor to be sold In but
one place. In number OF counties
where dlspensaries took the place OF
saloons. the former have been voted
out and the sale OF, liquor forbidden.
The people OF the state, wherever cleo
lions have been held under local option,
have declared for prohibition; but in
all localities or counties where the sale
OF liquor Is not now forbidden II can
continue until stopped by an election
during the year 1908, and at the end
OF that year 1t must be stopped every
where in the State.
The decision OF Jefferson county. in
going prohibition had more effect in
carrying prohibition throughout the
State than any other factor or combi-
nation of, factors. jefferson county is
the banner county OF Alabama. It pays
more taxes than any other three coun-
ties in the State. It has larger
population. perhaps, than any other
| two. 1t Is by far the richest county
in the State, the most influential Imam
ciafly and politically. AS Jefferson
goes, SO goes Alabama" was the cry
of the prohibition advocates all over
! the State. 1t was admitted everywhere
that even Montgomery, which has al
ways been strong on Booze" and Mo-
| bile, which is still stronger. would
be made prohibition either by local
| option or by act OF Legislature maxi
| ing the State prohibition IL jefferson
county went so. And shortly after
Jefferson county declared emphatically
for prohibition. the other counties fell
| In line one after another until at lea st
| q dozen where liquor was being sold
had followed the example. After JEFF
ferson county declared for prohibition
many people would not be surprised
to see even New Orleans inaugurate n
serious campaign with possible vic-
tory against the sale OF liquor. Two
years ago 1t was thought that Birm-
ingham would be the last city in the
South outside of New Orleans to vote
for prohibition.
There is some Interesting history set
ting forth the origin Of the anti-saloon
| fight in this city and county. 1t may
| be said that the campaign originated
from the abuse Of the liquor interests
in politics. II the liquor. interests OF
Birmingham had observed the laws.
closing promptly at ~ o'clock, keeping
their places closed on Sunday, and had
at the same time RETAINED from what
was considered pernlcious activity in
local campaigns and elections. had re-
Trained from organizing as special
interest to elect the Mayor, members
Of the Board OF Aldermen and other
city officials, prohibition would not be
In effect In Birmingham and Jefferson
county to-day. But they did not do It.
They refused to listen to the advice
Iof conservative and thoughtful people
The leading liquor men here were told
repeatedly that If they did not stop
raising big political campaign funds
and discontinue entering political cam
| paigns as an organized body, they
would be put out of business. Even
a year ago they laughed ut this pre-.
diction. They undertook to elect for
Mayor candidate who was understood
to be free and easy towards the liquor
interests and the gambling men. II
was a hard fight. but the saloon PEG.
pie lost. This somewhat opened their
eyes, but still they would not recog-
nize the handwriting on the wall.
strong effort was made in favor OF q
| restricted area for the saloons and fol
the abolition Of the dives and joints
where vicious and criminal negroes
congregated. got drunk and committed
criminal offenses in great numbers as
a result. The faction Of the Board OF
Aldermen which was in power refused
i to consider favorably the restricted
area proposition. coupled with the high
license system. The object was to con.
] fine the drinking places to narrow
3 quarters, where they could be undel
\ rigid police supervision. Several times
strong efforts were made for thi.
1 proposition. and were as often turned
!. down. Then even people who were no
10 +af