The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-22
NINE REASONS FOR
OPPOSING MEASURE
RObt. N, Bell Writes Letter to
Lee Long
He CALLS IT POLITICS
Thinks Amendments Adoption Would
Foster and Encourage Perjury in
Courts and in Officers
of the Law.

Ninety per cent of the members of
the Birmingham bar. it is admitted by
both sides. are opposed to the proposed
prohibition amendment to the constitu-
ton.
Robert N. Bell, one of the best known
lawyers in Jefferson county, gives nine
reasons on which he bases his opposi-
ton.
He considers it a political move. He
sees the homes of the people endangered.
He does not favor allowing a minority to
manacle majority. He charges that its
passage would prove an Incorporate de-
privation of the rights of the temper
ate. To adopt the amendment would be
a reputation of the platform of the DOM
inant party, he says. as last expressed
in this state. He declares that 1t would
foster and encourage perjury In the courts
and in officers of the law. He says its
adoption would be the Endorsement by
the people of the recent attack made by
supreme court of Alabama He charges
that it would retard the influx of pop
ulation and prevent the increase in the
price of property.
The letter in full follows:
Mr.. Bells Letter.
Mr.. ]. Lee Long, Birmingham, Ala:
Dear Sir-Complying with your request
of the 7th instant, asking for a short
succinet statement of my reasons for
the opinion held" on the amendment of
the constitution, Will briefly do so.
Reason one: I regard it as a political
move, pure and simple, with unholy all
liances and entanglements, of northern
origin; probably intended to disrupt the
democratic party, and certainly for the
advancement of the candidates furnish
ing the campaign fund.
Reason two: 1t authorizes the legisla-
ture to say that a citizen may not"
keep liquor for any purpose at any place.
without regard to the use for which 1t
is intended This carries with 1t the right
to search for 1t, at such times and places
as may be prescribed, In the bedroom or
barn. 1t will make a criminal of near
ly every man who uses II, whether he
be caught and convicted or not.
Reason three: 1t has no claim for adopt
ton, since the passage of the existing
laws, except to put It out of the power
of majority to repeal it. 1t is giving
minority power to control a majority.
In this respect 1t is unfair
1t Fosters Perjury.
Reason four: It takes from the tenn
| perate and orderly man 9. luxury that
! he has not forfeited and Furnishes him
for the sins of the Incorporate and
drunken. It is not a temperate move,
but an Incorporate deprivation Of the
rights of the temperate. 1t seeks an
unfair advantage in the name OF q good
cause. You might as well hang every
body that lives in the neighborhood Of a
murderer as a precaution against posi-
billties.
Reason five: 1t asks me to become a.
deserter and pledge breaker 1t Is. a
Reputation of the platform of the DEM
ocratic party as last expressed In this
state A compact with a savage should
be kept as faithfully as one with a
saint.
Reason six: 1t fosters perjury in the
courts and In officers of the law. Wit
nesses with prejudice or whose salary
depends on conviction are tempted. Off
GERS sometimes say boldly that they
would not arrest a man for giving a
fainting mother drink In the streets,
or for carrying 1t to a snake-bitten child,
yet the law makes such act criminal and
the officer having sworn to enforce 1T
is perjurer If he does not. / believe
perjury is a sin yet and that 1t Is pun
shable by law. These laws do not de-
pend on the construction given them by
governors and sheriffs but upon their
wording.
Brook LaWsence's Threat.
Reason seven: 1t is proposed by this
amendment to say to the judges Of our
supreme court that we indorse what the
Rev. Brooks Lawrence threatened and
said to 1t, when it held that man
had the right ito keep liquors for his
own use at any place he saw ft
Reason eight: 1t rstards the influx of
population and prevents increase in the
price of our lands and the volume of
our profits.
Reason nine: I do not now. and never
have yet, belonged to the better than
thou club I have no desire or dispo-
sition to control my neighbours appe-
lite by force of law.
These are some of my reasons. Yours
truly, ROBERT N. BELL.
CAR SERVICE