The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

similar population, have apparently ex- hibited diametrically opposite move ments Independent voting and the sep aration of local elections are, of course, responsible for many of these results In some instances, it would be absurd 10 attribute any national significance what ever to the changes here recorded. But the apparent chaos is itself in our opin- ion, the indication of an almost ideal condition for any candidate or party that is prepared to make a campaign of reason and sound principle. It shows the existence of a voting public, unset tied perhaps in a sense, but exception ally ready to respond to issues and per sonalities There never was a worse time for a candidacy designed to satisfy 8 sodden. complacent constituency; there never was d better for the candi dacy which would appeal to those who are open to conviction"
 The prohibition fight is to be renewed in New York A bill will shortly be in- troduced at Albany to provide for local option. The whole strength of tle Anti Saloon League, with it's 5000 affiliated churches in this state and its active en- rolled membership of 40o00 adherents, will bring the greatest pressure to bear on the lawmakers at Albany while the power ful liquor interests will fight hard in the opposite direction. The contest will be hot and hard-fought one.
 Ever since the National Temperance so- ciety began it's real work along education al and missionary lines In 1865, immediate ly following the war, a constant and steady agitation has been kept up in every proper way, and jealous watch care exercised over legislation at Al bany.
 Nor has the enemy failed to do likewise For twenty-four years there has existed In the city of New York what is called the Wine, Liquor and Beer Dealers as- sociation,' which claims to be a non partisan political machine for the purpose of keeping temperance men out of office, and preventing temperance legislation from being passed.
 It is not too much to say that the real mission of this organization has been from the beginning to procure po- litical death for every candidate who would not work in harmony with it's behests. In the state of New York these are, in round numbers, 27,OO0 saloons.
 This means in plain English that the whole 27,000 saloon keepers of the state of New York are organized for the pur- pose of controlling the laws of the state and the officials who execute these laws, for the benefit of their trade.
 Our bill" said Dr. James Winfred Cool, assistant superintendent of the New York Anti-Saloon league. will be one providing for local option in cities or districts throughout the state. Precisely what form the bill will take. we are not yet prepared to say. We may advocate each election district voting on whether it wants saloons or not, or each assem- by district or police precinct. One thing is certain and that is that the people ought to have chance to say whether they want the saloon or whether they don't want it."
 Undoubtedly the prohibitionists will make much of the recent assertions by ministers and others that drinking among New York women was increasing at an alarming rate. Nh authority on this ques- tion whose words carry great weight is Prof. John Duncan Quack kenboss, special fist in nervous and mental diseases mem- Der of many American and foreign med ical societies and formerly of the Column ba university faculty. He says:
 'It is with real alarm that I note the rapid growth of the drink habit among women in New York city. l have been in a position to watch that growth close ly and I can say with full knowledge that ten women drink today where one drank a dozen years ago.
 The growth of the habit has been among women of all classes, the rich and the poor, young and old. Girls in