The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-17
BARKER AGAINST | THE AMENDMENT Republican Leader States His Position. THE SCHEME OF POLITICIANS Mobile Man Discusses the Issue in
 Alabama. Says the Extra Legislature went to
 Doorstep and Now the Pro-
 hibitionists Propose to In-
 wade Homes of
 F H I .
THE SCHEME OF POLITICIANS

Mobile, Oct. 16.-(Special )--P. D. Barker, Alabama member of the Re- publican National Committee and the Republican leader of Alabama, today came out strongly against the consti- tutionai amendment.
 In an interview. Mir. Barker says:
 There Is no need for the amendment It Is entirely unnecessary and if passed, will leave the State in chaos and uncertainty as to the real situa- ton.
 We have ample statutes regulat- ing and prohibiting the liquor traffic If the law cannot be enforced under these, 1t cannot be enforced at all.
 The issue is no longer one of liquor or no liquor. but has resolved itself into the proposition of whether tho people are going to continue to gcv- ern themselves, or are going to place unlimited authority Into the hands cl few fanatical legislators.
 '''The pro-amenders nave been apolo- gizing ever since the Legislature pass- ed this amendment for submission to the people. They have everything for which to offer apologies. The most stringent measures that have ever been enacted now find place in the law of our State, and the most drastic pro- hibftion regulations are now in force. To add insult to injury. these lovers of our great State would make prohi- bition part of our Fundamental law. They would bar the sale and manufac- ture of liquor from our State forever without giving the law already enact ed fair trial.
 Invasion of Home
 "The wording of this amendment is plain--it debars liquor from the State forever in the first section, and in the second section takes away from the people some right that Is now in that constitution.
 "The last Legislature went to a mans doorstep with it's laws, and II was only the constitution that kept it from entering the home. The only place in Alabama where intoxicating liquors for medical or other purposes can now be kept. is in the home of a citizen of this State. and it is plain that this second section Is aimed at the barricade that stands between this mans nome and the sutlrless and fanat- ical lawmakers wflo would undo our grand ol6 commonwealth.
 Pass this amendment, and this bar ricade is torn down. your guns spiked, and there is TO law on our statute books that makes your home immune from the ravaging searches of the SHeFln ana ms OeputleS.
 ''Tne opponents of this amendment are not allied with the liquor interests, but, wishrsto preserve their personal liberty. This amendment will place the homessof our citizens at the mercy of the spies and henehmen of the ir- tolerant.
 Governor Conner apd his friends are responsible for these conditions. When he was inducted into office. millions were in the States Treasury, while now a heavy deficit exists.
 Platform for Politicians.
 "The prohibitionists call the amend ment the peoples movement. It is nothing more than a platform for those seeking high political honors.
 "Tfle election was called in the fall because there are 100000 men in Ala bama who haven't paid theIr poll taxes who are disqualified because they did not anticipate an election this year. They are trying to cloud great prin- ciple with deceits and shibboleths. They must do that for they have no other. arguments. The argumentum ad hominem Is their only weapon, and that is the weapon of the man who is beaten, and this amendment will be beaten because the majority of the people of, this State are opposed to such a ferocious measure. which will be far-reaching in it's consequences and destructive of the best interests of this State.
 'The issue Is no longer moral is- sue, but is one planned by few sell fish and ambitious men wfio would pro- mote their personal welfare, gorge the greed for power, and establish fanat- ico-clerical rule in our State"