Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-30
TO BAR BOOZE OUT
OF STATE FOREVER
Alabama's Governor, in Special
Message, Advises That Prohibi-
ton Law Be Made a Constitu-
tional Provision.

MONTGOMERY, Ala, July 27.-The
Alabama legislature met at noon today
! in the fourth session since January l.
1907. this and one other having been
extras called by Gov. B. B. Conner to
meet, and one being adjourned. On No
vember l, 1907. a special meeting was TO
re-enact railroad laws that had been tied
up in the federal court, and today the
members come to enact more stringent
provisions for the enforcement and main
tenance Of prohibition. In his message,
the governor deals almost wholly with the
I prohibition laws.
There is no opposition to passing laws
TO strengthen prohibition, impeach officers
who do not enforce the laws and repeal
corporation laws to the end that locker
clubs may be suppressed. In fact, there
is enthusiastic support for every proposed
statute that looks to enforcing the pro-
hibition idea, save that for making II or
ganic law.
When the legislators had assembled, it
became evident that there would be lit
tie opposition to the strengthening the
prohibitory laws to providing for the i'm
parchment of officers who fail to enforce
the laws. and to the repeal OF corpora
ton laws.
In his message to the legisIa-
ture today Gov. b. B. Conner
advised making \ prohibition consti-
tutional, because the members who
passed the present law no doubt intend
ed a revolution in the relation of the
state TO liquor. and had in mind fixing II
so the state would never again have sa-
looms or liquid licenses. In his opin.
ion, prohibition should be disposed of so
that IL will not be recurrent at every
election and a disturbing factor In the
politics Of the state.
II believe you could render no greater
benefit to every business interest Of the
state than to enable the people to settle
this question once for all time" he
urged.
Necessity for further statutory prohibi-
ton acts are found. the governor thinks,
in the fact that in many sections the
law has been disregarded and def1ed, and
II has become almost a question, he ar
CUES, whether whisky shall control and
dominate the state, or the state control
whisky. He deplores the effort to defeat
the laws by spending money to this end.
end thinks il a sad state of affairs when
citizens have to organize law and order
leagues to enforce the laws that offices
are paid to enforce, concluding that when
officers of the law commemorative them
selves, anarchy is drawing near
Touching on failure of the officers OF
the law, the governor says:
Nothing can so weaken the fbers OF
state as a condition of lawlessness en-
rendered by. neglect, carelessness or con-
nivance of public officials paid by the
public to discharge their duty and sworn
10 do the same. As lawmakers you can
do no higher service than to enact
statute that will establish a method OF
quick arraignment and trial of official de-
linquents."
Two extra sessions in two years indl-
cate the necessity Of biennial session, the
governor thinks, and he advises amend
ments for this and smaller county areas,
making three amendments in all. He COM
pliments the members on the laws al
ready passed and the fact with the new
passenger and freight rates upheld by
the federal court to the extent Of trial
at least, transportation is as cheap as in
Georgia and the Carolinas. The rates re-
duced are not confined to freight. but ex-
press as well, and the 1-2-cent passenger
fare.
Briefly, the following other subjects are
handled:
Tax laws, largely increased appropria-
lions for schools and old soldiers; estab-
lishment of game, fish and forestry laws;
soil survey; live stock boards, and mill
tary Improvement, all approved; certain
deficit in treasury expected, but justified
by the many improvements in schools and
old soldier care, and brought about by
prohibition taxes lost, not anticipated
when expenditures were provided for.
However. the governor counts the license
on liquors well lost, holding that the
state should rejoice that IT has cut loose
from the revenue thus secured.