Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-12
NEAR-BEERDEALERS
IN SAVANNAH TO
PAY STATE TAX
Solicitor General Hartridge
Says Belief Arose IF Substi-
tute Beer Is Not Used Real
Article Was Consumed.

SAVANNAH. Ga. Jan. I-Upon his
return from Atlanta yesterday Solicitor
General Walter C Hartridge made a
statement regarding his conference with
Governor Smith. relative TO the situation
IN Savannah as far as the prohibiton|
law and the near-beer tax are concerned
he characterized as unauthorized and
unwarranted" the sensational press re-
ports as TO the governors attitude to-
ward this community.
Mr. Hartridge said Governor Smith has
never had the slightest intention OF In
anyway interfering with the machinery
OF the local courts
Mr.. Hartridge says that the governor
fully appreciates that the enforcement OF
a statute must rest upon the people OF
community where a violation occurs.
and that the governor believes that
should an open disregard Of any law be
attempted. the sober sense Of the law
abiding people OF that community viii
assert itself, when appealed TO. and de-
mand the proper observance and respect
OF a measure duly enacted by the con-
stitutional authorities OF the state.
Dealers To Pay Tax
AS result OF Mr. Hartridge's visit to
Atlanta but not from anything he has
said since his return. and from the agi-
tation Of the question. a belief seems
70 nEGNAll thai" eO-NdAACu nEdA-bCCA 0CoA-
ers viii this week take steps to pay the
tax on the sale Of that beverage The
ordinary's once Is ready to receive the
money.
1T Is true that I went TO Atlanta at
the request OF Governor Smith TO confer
with him relative TO the situation in this
county so far as the prohibition law and
the near-beer tax are concerned" said
Mr. Hartridge II found that the sensa-
-
attitude toward this community were un-
authorized and unwarranted. He has
not now. nor has he ever had. the slight
est intention Of in anyway interfering
with the machinery OF the local courts.
Depends on Authorities
The governor recognizes. Of course.
that the duty OF enforcing the laws OF
the state rests upon the authorities OF
any county where violations occur. and
that he, as chief executive Of the state
would only be called upon to act in the
event the people OF a county wilfully and
dehantly set aside a statute. That this
has been done in Chatham. he does not
assume, that II viii be doe, he does not
believe: that the authorities Of Chat
ham viii do their full and complete duty,
he Is convinced. His only desire Is 20
give them every assistance, should any
be asked. at his hands.
His attention has been directed. how
ever. to a singular condition Of affairs
that apparently exists in Savannah. In
other cities OF the state. the citizens seem
to desire some substitute for intoxicating
beverages and the dealers In these ar
ticIes in other communities have paid the
tax thereon The report from Chatham
Is that no dealer has registered as a
handler OF these substitutes. Naturally,
tine conclusion seems almost Irresistible
y that II the substitute Is not used In Sa-
vannah, the real article Is being con-
sumed.
As to the Situation
I'm other words. IL there are no substi-
tutes consumed in Savannah. there would
seem to be q wholesale violation of the
prohibition law On the other hand, IL the
prohibition law Is being observed. the sub
stitute is being sold without the proper
license being paid. whichever situation
exists. the governor is confident that the
local authorities win meet f. Or II both
conditions prevail he is equally satisfied
that the appropriate remedy win be APP
piled by our officials with the approval
Of the community OF Savannah.
Understand. however. that the pay
ment OF the near-beer tax cannot be used
IN anyway as a cloak for a violation OF
the law against the sale OF liquor. The
failure 10 pay this TAX is also VIOLA
ton OF law. punishable as a midemeanor.
Il want to impress upon the people OF
Savannah that the governor fully appre-
ciates that the enforcement OF a statute
must rest upon the people OF commu-
nifty where a violation Of IL occurs, and
that he believes that should an open dis
regard OF any law be attempted. the
sober sense Of the law abiding people
OF that community viii assert itself. when
appealed to. and demand the proper OBJ
servance and respect OF measure duly
enacted by the constituted authorities OF
Georgia"