The National tribune., 1909-05-13
THE PROHIBITION WAVE.

The cause of prohibition has made
astonishing headway during the past
year, with few checks in its onward
rolling. In Michigan 10 more Counties
Joined the dry column, and the State
wide prohibition now embraces Maine.
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kansas,
Oklahoma and Tennessee. The law in
Tennessee will not go into effect until
July / next.
In Maine and Oklahoma prohibition
is constitutional, and in the other States
statutory.
In Texas the Democrats have declared
for Statewide prohibition, but the Leg
islature has refused to give it, and the
Republicans have declared against it.
South Carolina will be dry for two
weeks next August in the interim be-
law and vote whether that system will
be renewed.
In Arkansas the Democrats are will
ing to submit Statewide prohibition to
the people, but the Prohibitionists have
changed front, and demand instant pro-
hibition, which the Legislature has re-
fused, and local option continues.
In Iowa the House has voted to re-
submit Statewide prohibition, but the
Senate is trying to check it.
In Nebraska the liquor interests
threw their strength to the Democrats
last Fall. and elected their ticket in the
hope of stemming the tide.
Tn IL o. 11nr fbo Of IUac hi uta
Anti-Prohibition, are scheming to use
the initiative to repeal the constitutions
al prohibition clause.
In Kentucky the National Model L.
cense Advocates are making some head
way, but it is believed that prohibition
is advancing.
Ohio is already 80 per cent dry, and
Illinois and Indiana are running that
State close.
In Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska,
Colorado, Kentucky AMI Missouri the
dry laws are said 20 be well enforced,
but in the South nne can get drink
almost anywhere. Blind tigers have
sprung up like weeds after rain, with
moonshining fourishing as it never did
before
In Georgia and Texas they have
near BEER saloons. which are really
beer saloons, and Georgia has begun to
license them to get revenue.
More than half the city of Chicago is
dry, and very singularly the laws are
well enforced IN the wet districts.
In Maryland 10 of the % Counties
are wholly dry and only two wet In
the remaining IL liquor is sold only In
the principal towns. Four OF the "a
licences, parks. schools and churches,
are dry, with the rest wet. The Anti
Saloon League and the Prohibitionists
of Maryland have split on the question
of Statewide prohibition. In the dry
sections the law is well enforced.
There are 55 Counties in West Vir-
ginia, of which 40 are dry and Is have
the license system. A State license costs
$1,000 and local license 5000 or more,
making the total cost $1,000 or more.
Therefore, there are only saloons in
few places along the Ohio River and
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
OF the 100 Counties in Virginia moro
than so are already dry, and Statewide
prohibition Is likely Richmond, New
port News, Norfolk, Portsmouth and
Petersburg are the only license cities
remaining.
In Alabama prohibition has failed In
the large cities, but the country dis
tricts are solidly dry.
OF the 46 Counties in Florida only 10
are wet, but liquor can be obtained In
any of the Counties. Blind tigers abound
everywhere, and the vilest sort of liquors
are sold.
Mississippi has had Statewide pro-
hibition for three months and State
Law Enforcement League, with Gov
e. F. Noel as Chairman.
About two-thirds of Louisiana !s dry,
and under the Shattuck law the saloons
are rapidly decreasing. In 1896 there
were 1000 ia the State, but it is prob
able that by the end of this year there
will not be more than 1900.
In Texas 1853 of the 245 Counties are
dry, and As more Counties are partially
dry. Everywhere on the western from
tier the drys have gained signal vic |
tories and cleaned out the saloons ex-
cept in a half dozen cauutiss !