The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-24
FAR MFRS CHEER SPEECHES
 AGAINST THE AMENDMENT
Stallings and WiIlett Strike Telling Blows-Harrison Lyons, Barnes and Others Considered
 Lee County Safe.
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.


 opelika. October 2s.- Special )-Thera was little consolation for the Lawrence Weakley-Co Conner Commercial and Political corporation in Lee county today
 Five hundred of the 4wooI hat boys of this county heard Joe Wfllett and Jesse Stallings discuss the proposed prohibf- ton amendment to the constitution, and the fact was demonstrated that they, too, are in the ranks fighting for the con- stitutional rights of Alabamians and for the preservation of the sanctity of the home
 In spite of various handicaps, the speakers were heard by large number of people The train on which they came to opelika from Montgomery was an hour late, and the speaking, billed for 10 o'clock, began at 12 o'clock. There were probably 1000 men of the rural districts in the city and half of these only, after the entire body had dispersed when it became known that the train was late learEed of the arrival of the orators.
 But General Harrison and Judge Lyons state that those present were represent tative of the rural voters of Lee, and it was plain to everyone that they were heart and soul in sympathy with the sen- timents expressed by the speakers.
 Lee Is Safe.
 Geon George F. Harrison one of tie most beloved Alabamians, J. B. Lyons. judge of probate. and Reed Barnes. ons of the ablest attorneys of this county, give 1t as their opinion that Lee will pile up majority against the amend- ment.
 They estimate Opelikas majofity i against the amendment at 14. They be- lieve two of the beats are very doubt- ] ful with a probability of their falling into 1 the amendment column All in all the1 believe the county will give a majorpt l or several hundred against the proDosed scheme to put into the constitutionfa po- ice regulation with all it's accom5anying danger
 General Harrison is one of the verv strong men of the county. and there ara few citizens of Lee who are unknown to i him. Judge Lyons is one of the best po- ;, litical prophets in eastern Alabama. Reed Barnes has been in Lee for long number of years. The opinions of these gentle 1 men, therefore. carry weight with them
 Farmers Settled Opinion.
 There is no danger of the farmers of Lee county undergoing change as con cerns their regard for the proposed amendment
 They have recognized the fact that f. strikes at them-at their liberty and at their homes.
 They sat In rapt attention during the three hours of speaking. There were no assertions from the ranks. Their cheers Ing was of the ringing variety which causes the blood to move faster through it's channels
 After the speaking they piled over the orators and overwhelmed them with con- gratulations There was a practical dena- onstration lasting for half an hour
 After adjournment a dozen farmers from various parts of the county were iu- terviewed and the great majority os them expressed confidence that the rural vote will be the means of downing tha amendment They declared themselves unalterablg opposed to changing the con- stituton. They referred to the fact thai the farmers of Alabama have never voted to tamper with a constitution. They de- clared themselves aware of the dangers that slide around and lurk within tha proposed document. In their opposition to the amendment they were as determined and as much aroused as were the far mers who shot the British to pieces from behind the fences of Lexington.
 Danger Pointed Out.
 Stallings made a fine point when he said:
 Seven years ago I stood in this couA room debating with John B. Knox of Anniston concerning that section of the constitution Of 1901 which tended to dis franchise the people-the white people of Alabama. I told you then that with in few years only one third of the men Of tlle state would do the voting The Age-IIerald has declared the vote to i,a cast November % will not go above s2.- 900. Everyone knows that there arc in Allah m xuha hat sf @Ax<- ballots in the settlement of this great political question which is before the peo- pie today.
 q warned you then The danger [ pointed out has come to pass. I hava another warning today. Do not put this amendment into the constitution. If you do you will voluntarily surrender righfa purchased by the blood of hundred wars. You will put your homes at the mercy of the prying, persistent fee grab Der You will hurl Alabama into a reign of terror. There will be distress There will be sorrow. There will be death"
 For Sins of Three.
 Joe willett. the distinguished Anniston jurist. opened the speaking. He was in troduced by General Harrison as one Of the best constitutional lawyers of Ala- bama.
 MT. Wiilett immediately pitched into the depths of the question. He protested against the punishment of s7 counties for the sins of three-Jefferson. MontEomerv and Mobile He told of how the start oe the fight against the saloon in Alabama was made--how local option was fos- lowed by statewide prohibition; how statewide prohibition was followed b% the Taller bill: how the Fuller bill wa4 followed by the Carmichael and numerouS other bills; and how, if the amendefs are successful these other bills will ba followed by constitutional amendment. He wondered what next would follow
 "Comer and Weakley will not deny.v said he that under the provisions ok Alabama
 But they tell us that VI escaped lieht-