The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-11-06
RRoHIRlTloNIsTs HAVE MADE
GREAT GAINS in THE SOUTH.
MANY STATES DRY
Dixie Is Very Prosperous at the Pres
ent Time, Says w. s. Chamber
Conditions Have Improved Greatly
In Few Years-country Blooming.

tAThe sunny south will no longer
ring with the praises of the inviting
mint julep, no more will Kentucky
colonies be noted for their hospitality
with the juice Of the corn, and not for
a time at least will moonshine whis-
key be looked upon as the most i'm
portant product in the hills of the
south, for the prohibition sentiment
controls the land and southerners are
frowning on those who would Quaff
from the cup Of pleasure" remarked
w. e. Chambers of Butte who was in
the city last evening on his way home
from a visit to his native home in
sunny Tennessee.
ut is wonderful the strides the Pro-
%hibitionists have made in the south.
When I left Tennessee six years ago
the temperance work had not started.
All but two counties in Kentucky are
dry and a hard tight was being made
when I left a few days ago to put the
whiskey business on the retired list.
t'In my home state the fight for gov
ernor was over the prohibition plank
in the Democratic platform. The par.
|ty split and Carmack represented the
prohibition wing of the Democratic
party and Patterson stood for those
who wanted local option. Patterson
has been governor, but it looks as II
his days have been numbered through
the agency of the prohibitionists. The
voters were very bitter against him
for not declaring for the dry plank in
the platform. II
South Prosperous.
"The south is more prosperous now
than at any time that I a remem.
Der. Since 1 left there six years ago
people have built better houses and
improved their places. It is no un'
common thing to see a planter riding
in his own automobile. The planta.
lions are perfect now and the entire
state is a picture. The crops have
been fine this year and the planters
are making money. They did not feel
the effects Of the late depression tc
any extent there, because it is an
agricultural country.
Interest was taken in the election
down south and Of course this being
the solid Democratic territory, Mr.
Bryan was the favorite. The south
erners however feel very kindly to
ward Roosevelt and the administra
tion and have only the kindest words
for the treatment accorded them dur
ing the past four years.
Education has not uplifted the ne
gro much during the past years. The
black men are just as happy and
%blissfully ignorant as rel and they
do but little more than to sit in the
sun and tell stories. They work pc
%riodically, but nev do more than il
necessary to make a living. The edu
Gated negroes seem to slide back II
the old rut when they return from
school, being like the Indian in this
respect"
Lunches with President.
Mr.. Chambers called at the White
House while in Washington. He wal
greeted warmly by President Roose
welt, when he var introduced as from
Montana. The president inquired aftel
many OF his friends in this state. Mr.
Chambers was the guest Of Presiden'
Roosevelt at lunch and was shown
every courtesy by the chief executive
Mr.. Chambers is OF the opinion tha'
the east is as prosperous as before ths
financial furry. Business is booming
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