The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-12
! year of the other sort of campaign

a year of the other sort of campaign ing prior to the primary of 1906.
 Of notable incident in this weeks devel- opment of the campaign is the attitude of the Atlanta Georgian, which came out in an editorial Friday dealing with Mr. Browns recent announcement, in which 1t practically indorses his campaign. Es- pecia significance is attached to the at titude of the Georgian favorable to MT Brown, because of the fact that it was the only daily newspaper in the state Of any size, to stand squarely for prohibition when the issue was being fought out be- fore the legislature. While the other daily newspapers of the state urged a further trial of the local option law, the Georgian demanded the passage of the prohibition bill. Friends of MT. Brown point out that under these circumstances the Georgian would scarcely support candidate of the liquor interests, and that were MT. Brown such the Georgian only consistent course would be to fight him. It may be. therefore, that the Georgians practical indorsement of his candidacy will have an important bearing on the campaign.
 Since the call went out for signed and authenticated polls or straw votes on the governorship race, no poll faYoring
 
 latter part of this week. This one came from F. G. Ford of Waynesboro, who boiled the grand jury sitting there. Of it's tWenty-three members Y stood for Governor Smith and for MT. Brown. The appearance of this one in black type in the Journal may mean that others are to be expected.
 At Brown headquarters the claim is made that approximately 5000 cards pledg AT how aIr lF been signed in Fulton county, and 1t Is stated the canvass has not yet been com pleted.
 Joe Brown Buttons.
 The appearance of the Joe Brown but tons, bearing the. inscription For Govern or-Little Joe Brown was another .in- cident of the week. Before the campaign is another week old it is stated they will have been scattered all over the state.
 There remains no question of the se- riousness of the campaign. It is ques- ton now as to which of the candidates will receive the largest popular vote in the primary of June I, for it is the popular vote that will determine the result.
 Governor Smith has practically turned the governorship over to his secretaries for the time being and will devote him. self almost wholly to the campaign. He is a forceful speaker, a man of strong personality and carries great weight on the stump. His powers in this direc- ton professionally cut d big figure in the campaign of two years ago. To what extent he will be able to turn the tide of sentiment that has begun to flow strongly in the other direction, d fact which not even his candid friends deny, remains to be seen.
 A Noteworthy Decision.
 A noteworthy decision came from the state court Of appeals the other day, in which liberal yet logical construction was put upon the state prohibition law.
 Minor courts have been conviccting per sons of violating the prohibition law where liquor was found upon their prem ises, if it appeared such premises in any wise looked like a place of business. 4n Atlanta the police court got after tho druggists for selling medicinal and toilet articles containing alcohol fin varying per centages. The question was even raised, though no arrests had been made, as to the right of a dentist or a physician to keep liquor in his office.
 The question came up in the case of Dr. E. AI Roberts, who was convicted of violating the law in keeping beer in his place of business. The place of business in question was a private store room where pr. Roberts kept beer that he used as an ingredient of a soft drink syrup which he sold all over the state, and to the sale of which there was no objection. As the result of his conviction Dr. Rob erts removed his manufacturing establish ment out of the state, though he con tinued to ship his syrup back and sell 1t here.
 The court of appeals pointed out the absurdity of d construction of the law which would forbid the manufacture within the state of an article whose sale was perfectly legal. 1t held that the law in prohibiting the keeping of liquor in place of business meant a public place of business, and that Dr. Roberts warehouse or store room was plainly not a public place.
 Further, in reversing the decision of the lower court, the court of appeals holds that the law was never intended to prohibit the sale of medicinal, toilet and culinary articles such essence of lemon, essence of ginger cologne and things of that sort, which is quite con trary to the view held by Atlanta's S recorder, who has threatened to bind over for trial druggists who sold essence of ginger and similar compounds without physicians prescription.
 The court holds that in order to come within the meaning of the prohibition law the article sold must be in shape to be used as beverage, and in addition must contain alcohol in sufficient quantity to produce intoxication when drunk to excess.
 Indirectly the court rules that there is no prohibition upon a doctor or dentist keeping liquors in his private office where frequently need for them develops
 It is generally believed that the liber- ality of the decision will go a long way towards increasing respect for the law and its enforcement, as it has generally