The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-16

tain Dent's speech, cries for gsna tor Bpragins began. The cali had come during the day at every interval. but the Madison county Senator had not responded. This time the audience was insistent, and Senator Spragfns. from his station in the rear, or the audito- rum. was led to the platform.
 The senators appearance nusned the tumuit; hts speech had been await ed through the day. and the audito- rum was stiiled to listen to the man who has become . leader in the fight in the State.
 "This don't look to me like | satn- erfng of whiskey men, or of brewers agents or of pro-iiquor forces.- ne be- gan, but like . great reprssen n ra tfon of constitutional and good govern
 Turning to Senator Moody. the chairman. he said: Tt is peculiarly significant that you are chosen chair man, sir. you. the champion of tenn perance for more than . quarter of a century. No man dares accuse you or being . whtskey man. or a pro-,i- quor fighter"
 He spoke of the fi.sht of the minor,- " wing Of the Legislature, and of the manner in which it stood by inc io. cal option platform on which the members were elected.
 The minority wing in the Ie~,.,a- ture Is entitled to the respect and cs- teem of the people of Alabama he said. The members preserved thsir local option pledges.
 was elected on e dispensary plat form. l was to introduce a dispensarv biii at the last extra session, Some one ot the majority accused me of navIns dispensary bill in my pockets a ck sh>
 hibition bill. Yes told him. and the only difference between us Is that have Kept the bill to which I was pledged. while you threw yours away" Moving to the question of changing the Constitution. Senator Spragins de- ciared that the Constitution is next to the Bible In the preservation of the rights of the people.
 T don't believe that 1t is too sacred only be touched when the emergency Is so insistent and clear cut that no division of sentiment Is possible"
 The Fuller bill. he said. Is nothing more nor less than an attempt to get away from the Juries and grand juries into the Chancery Courts. He preach. ed tolerance. however. and dignity, in the fight.
 We have run mad on the subject of
  some who think others are fanatics. But don't believe all of this. When It comes to that, suppose there are as many fanatics on this side as on the other. There are some on the other side who believe we are all liduor men. some of us believe the other fanatics are hypocrites. Neither Is so."
 rom Long. of Walker County, e member of the 1901 Constitutional Con. vention, followed Senator Spragins in the speech making. Much of his speech was protest against things as they are politically in the State.
 Calls for Senator Thomas were loud at this juncture. The calls were SO Insistent that they drowned out the speech of MT. Long. and Senator Perry Thomas was forced to go upon the stage. His speech was short He be- gan 1t with anecdotes regarding the attitude of several staunch country men of his acquaintance on the amend ment.
 Putting a sumptuary law in the will. in the end. work harm to the cause of liberty" he said. T am glad to see that the citizenship of this State Is going to stop fanati. cism and establish conservatism" he said.
 He ended with a plea to preserve the which has only been drafted so short a time, and which it ,s sought to rend. already.
 The report of the committee which | was named to recommend an executive | committee to the conference was read and adopted. Motions to adjourn be- | gan at this. but the audience grew i'm. | to hear Senator Hamburger, of Mobile. one of the staunch opponents of prohibition on the floor of the Senate. '' "Feliow Democrats" he began, .'ws appreciate your enthusiasm, but where. | in the name of high heaven. have you | been in all these past two months. We heard nothing of you at the Capitol. | when the fight on the floor was on. But we are glad to see you. just the same. and to hear you promise that Alabama