The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-06
Bill for Constitutional Prohibition
Passes the House BY Vote 20 to 20

put prohibition In the Constitution.
when II IL supposed TO be a regulation
which will prevent harm to other peo-
pie. He says that IL statutory prohi-
billion Is enforced. 1t will be constitu-
tonal enough for the best people.
Forecasts Party Split.
A picture of the Democratic Party
split In Alabama by prohibition as q
possibility. pointing to the demoraliz-
ing effect in Ohio and Indiana. on the
predominating power.
He also declared that the election
was at the expense of the people and
would interfere with the old soldiers
fund. He charged that there
the people for the bm.s
passage, and yet 1t was being argued
that the sovereign people were clam
oring aloud for q chance to vote on
constitutional prohibition.
II the prohibitionists who have pic.
tured 1t as so great a blessing sincerely
believe that 1t will continue such, why
the necessity Of going to the expense
OF putting 1t in the Constitution? Isn't
1t really a confession of weakness to
try to rush 1t into the Constitution at
this timer"
Mr. Benson. Of jackson. ienped at
the beginning into praise Of Governor
Somer and denunciation Of the press
ne was particularly hard on the latter
and charged that the press have tried
70 oIacken and besmirch the name Of
sne usovernor,and are In alignment with
whiskey and the devil
He extolled the high ideals of Jack
son County. rallied at the liquor trust !.
was grateful for the work Of Christ
ana Tor the rule of temperance in his
county. He said that prohibition is
democracy and recommended that at
the next convention Of the party IL
should be made big plank in the
piatiorm He rallied at alcohol and
suit Of drunkenness and though he paid
nigh tribute to the Rev. Brooks
Lawrence as defender of "the home
and hresides of Alabama" ELECTED no
applause.
Mr. Carmichael. the Speaker, at the
close of Mr.. Benson's speech, announc-
ca tnat he would sit down on all dis
orderly applause and Kissing. There
nad been Kissing during the discus
sion up to this time.
Mr.. Pitts of Perry. before the
Speaker enforced the ten-minute rule
spoke quite at length in support of the
measure. declaring that everywhere
there was derision OF the law and he
was for enforcing obedience. He
pleaded that Alabama could enforce
prohibition just as Uncle Sans officers
are enforcing the government laws.
All 1t takes he said was good officers
He probably made the longest and
most imprisoned appeal Oh grounds
OF temperance that was recorded for
the day He resented any suggestion
he said that
hurt the Democratic party.
Would Postpone Date.
1t was here that Mr.. Sample offer
ed an amendment postponing the cleo
ton to November. 1910. the regular
general election In lieu Of calling a
special election.
Il estimate, gentlemen, that this
special election will cost the people at
large not less than $4,000" he said,
and his estimate was not CHALLENGED
Therefore, think we have a right to
consider whether or not 1t is right to
force an election at this time when the
people can speak with just as much
certainty and force at the regular
election"
The estimate of Mr.. Sample was that
the counties would spend from their
treasures about $33.5OO and the state
by printing the proclamation would
spend $4,000. He added that 1t was
not a question of prohibition or anti
prohibition. but IL was a question of
whether this election should be forced
upon the people at a special time.
Mr.. Hoffman,, addressing himself to
the amendment, pulled of his remarks
about the peoples money already
quoted and resented the attack of Mr..
Benson on the people OF Mobile coun-
ty. He denied that three fifths of the
people of Mobile were, as charged. GO
Ing about the streets cursing the
law. Mr.. Hoffman said that he would
like for 1t to be so that the women