The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

Montgomery, February 27-It may be
said with truth that at no period In its
history save during the trying times of
war and reconstruction, has Alabama
had so many of its citizens at outs with
so many other of its citizens. Half
dozen lines of contentious are lending
their influence to this lack of family
unity and only the belief that after all
things will be well keeps men from dis
enlargement over the civic outlook.
Leading items of dispute include the
prohibition laws, the labor contract pro-
visions, the right or wrong of the state
laws for the control of railroads, corpo-
ration taxes and levies and many in
creases in the tax burdens of the people.
The most serious of the many causes of
war is the liquor situation.
very large per cent. of the people
say that they do not care for the law and
they will not do anything to aid its en-
forcement or prosecute those who aid in
its infraction. The fact that many good
men, as men are measured, feel this way,
makes the prospect all the more doubt
full.
Some of the Effects.
One serious effect is the cry that goes
out against the officers of the law for
not breaking up the saloons. Many men
who are temperate in all else are radical
here A letter sent to the governor the
other day related that it was well known
that there is not even a halfway observ-
ance of the liquor laws in Montgomery.
The writer did not sign his name and can
not be found to provide evidence.
The grand jury is said to have had half
" a. -
they knew where liquors are sold. This
is about a sample of the result in prac-
ticaly every case:
you have said you know where liquor
can be bought?"
mo. l said l heard that it could be
had at certain places"
you do not know it yourself. or know
who does know it?'
mo. I just heard it,
DO you know any one who should be
indicted for violating the prohibition
laws or whom you feel sure is violating
them in such way as it could be proven?"
mo"
And that is said to be the outcome of
the Investigations made for the most
part, only three indictments being found
Not a man volunteered to help either the
jury or the officers to find out and pun
ish violators
Tax Burdens Increased.
The burdens of taxation have come not
so much from anything done by the state
as by the municipalities the latter rails
ing the prices on almost everything that
a man has owns to meet the cost of
running the towns. Street tax, dog tax
automobile tax, license tax, hundreds of
taxes, many bearing on the men and wo-
men least able to meet them. All those
who were not for prohibition cry out
against this, and many who We're. Right
or wrong the feeling prevails, and it is
not making people happy any more than
it is making them prosperous.
If it could be known of a truth that
all those crying out for the charges and
laws and reforms are really at work for
the people it would be all right, or at
least more cause for irritation. But
when it Is a fact SO generally plain that
even a runner can read, that much of it
is for personal credit political prefer
ment, those men who are trying to get
along and make the best of things are
made sore They are weary of agitation
for the promotion of the interests of any
politicians or self-seekers in lines that