Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-13
". W. nMBALL Co., Mrs.. 32l KimbaII HALL, Chicago, ILL.,
HOW ALEXANDER'S MEASURE
MET DEATH IN THE HOUSE
Hung by Thread-Randolph
Hungry Cassius Who Persuaded Many
knife Caesar and Save the State Many Prohibitions
Voted Against the Alexander Substitute Explained Why

The Hooper Alexander measure, de-
signed 10 place heavy taxes and almost
prohibitive restrictions upon the sale and
manufacture of near-beer I'm Georgia. met
death in the house Wednesday night,
when that body decided by a vote OF 81 to
Il 10 agree with the senate and make the
Price substitute law.
The Price substitute raises the tax on
retailers from 500 to 800 and that on
wholesalers from $500 TO 81. 900. Its restric-
tive regulations are generally similar TO
those Of the Wise act now in force. but
Il provides that no near-beer shall be
sold in towns Of less than $500 inhabi-
tants.
Wednesday afternoon the house had
stood pat" with Alexander, refusing by
a vote Of % to a TO agree with the senate
substitute. This action was taken about
$50 p. m. and shortly afterward the house
rather suddenly adjourned, on motion Of
Mr.. Anderson OF Chatham. who had been
leading the fight against the Alexander
measure II vas to reconvene at 7:30
p. m
II was really curing this recess that the
Alexander measure met his fate.
WHERE THE REAL FIGHT CAME.
Mr.. Anderson OF Chatham, who has
the reputation Of being the hardest fight
er on the floor OF the house. knew when
he adjourned the house that victory de-
pended only on the changing of two house
votes.
Would he get those two votes?
That was the question excitedly asked
at the capitol and in the hotel Hobbies
during the supper recess. That was the
crux OF the situation. On il the Alexan-
der measure was destined TO live or die.
The senate believed he would. and waited.
he did He got more. for the very first
roll call Wednesday night gave him the
decided majority OF 81 TO ~.
IL had been a bitter fight, merciless and
without Quarter-but when the smoke Of
battle rolled away. Hooper Alexander and
Randolph Anderson were observed max
Ing their personal peace over a roast
beef sandwich which they had cut in two
and were devouring with avidity.
Caesar, bleeding from 20 wounds, was
as famished as the lean and hungry Cas-
sius who had done him TO death. and the
two were breaking bread at the same
board. at Hooper AIexander's desk.
The final vote in the house was on the
motion of Representative Hardeman of
jefferson TO recede from its disagreement
10 the senate amendment.
NOT CAESAR LESS BUT ROME MORE.
Among those who spoke against the
Alexander substitute were Messrs Alex
ander Of Fulton. Boyd of Spalding, Con-
verse OF LOwndes, Ellis OF Bibb Full
bright OF Burke. Hardeman of Jefferson
Jones Of Meriwether. Heard of Dooly
and Porter
The majority OF these gentlemen Wig
orcusly resented the charge made by their
opponents that every prOhib.tlOnist ought
TO support Alexander, that the vote meant
practically lining UP OF the liquor in
terests against the prohibitionists. and
that prohibitonists who voted for the
Price substitute were making a covenant
with the lswbreakers." Many who fought
against Mr.. Alexander called upon their
records 10 Dear witness that they had
ever been consistent prohIbitiOnists. but
that they could not vote with him this
time because his measure was out of
place In the general tax act because the
tax act was a purely revenue measure
while his proposition was q piece OF pro-
hibitive legislation
on the other hand, some prohibition
lists voted against Il because they did not
believe II was an eficient prohibitiv-
measure.
II has been said many times that the
present house IL a prohibition body. The
statement was not disproved BY the We'd
nesday night vote. for mucn as Mr.. Alex
ander lamented what he termed the de
sertion" Of his erstwhile friends. and
though IL was certain. as he declared. that
mo liquor man would vote with him.. q
was manifest that many lifelong prOhi-