The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-05-29
In THE WAY
LANETT OFFICIALS HAVE EIGHTY
EIGHT PINTS ON HAND.
Write to City Attorney C. r. Mcintyre
to Give Them Some Informa-
ton Relative to Its
Disposal.

The possession of lightweight pints
Of whiskey by the city officials Of
Lanett. which whiskey was seized in a
prohibition raid. has caused SO much
concern in Lanett, that the city clerk
has written City Attorney C. P. McIn-
tyre of Montgomery for an opinion.
who has written the city clerk of
Lanette lamenting the decadence of
the times, in which Southern gentle
men were at a loss as to what to do
with lightweight pints of whiskey
To the City Attorney of Montgomery
1t is hardly believeable that the art
of mixing juleps and constructing "fiat
bottoms" has been forgotten in an
Alabama city, and that no longer do
barbecues, fish frys and what not, hold
out their old time charm.
The official correspondence on the
disposition of the lightweight pints
of contraband follows:
Lanett's Story.
CITY Attorney Mcintyre
Montgomery, Ala:
Dear Sir-Our City Council has on
hand eighty-eight pints of whiskey.
Said whiskey was taken from a party's
place of business as being held for IL
legal sale.
The party has been tried and put in
a plea OF guilty, and has paid fine
of 500 The Mayor and Council is at
loss to know what disposition to
make of the whiskey. Can they legally
return It to him IL he agrees to at once
carry 1t out of the Stateg In other
words, what legal disposition can they
make of It? r.
We will take 1t as quite a favor If
you will express your views upon this
either as an individual or as City At
torney of a sister city. Thanking you
In advance. beg to remain
Yours truly.
- A. o. Jackson,
C. C. and Treas.
MIR. McIntyre's Answer.
Mr.. A o. jackson, City Clerk,
Lanett, Ala:
Dear Sir-I received your letter OF
the 25th inst, this morning, in which
you state that the Mayor and City
Council of Lanett have on hand eighty
eight pints of whiskey and are at a
loss to know what disposition to make
Of the same.f 20 5lh -
This Is very singular and win sub
ject your Mayor and Council to grave
criticism in certain quarters. The art
of making mint juleps and fiat bot
toms, 1 can scarcely believe. mas peeh
destiny of Lanett. lightweight pints
OF whiskey are calculated to make the
city officials forget, at least Tor
brief time, the cares and responsible
ties Of office. Matters have reached
curious pass when Southern gentlemen
are at a loss to know what disposition
to make of lightweight pints of whis-
key. 1t seems that the spirit OF socia-
biIity has departed from old Lanett.
Ptcnics, barbecues, social gatherings
and receptions are presumably no
longer in favor by the city officials or
your town.
Speaking seriously upon the subject
of your letter, 1t Is my opinion tnat
your city will have to return to the
owner the whiskey that has been seized
and which is now in your possession
The law does not authorize the conns-
cation of whiskey. and the only lawful
purpose for which 1t may be taken away
from the owner is to be used as eVl-
danca against him. This has been
aona in the case mentioned in your let
ter and. therefore, the owner has the
rieht TO his property; neither may the
civ as a condition of returning the
yhtskev demand that the owner agree
70 carry the same out of the stare. as
q nerson may lawfully keep Whiskey
IN the state of Alabama without Vlo-
Iattn9 any law, provided he keep the
same for his personal use.
I beg to remain.
Yours very truly.
c. P. Mcintyre.
After reading this. 1t Is nara 10 pc
ueve that city Attorney Mcintyre 49,
and has always beer, total aDstAi"ei'
but such is fact.