The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-18
Shameful Object Lesson
lift.

l noSSu WlNu lStlluS oi ll6hISOu' protest at the indignities heaped upor suspects and small offenders in tht Cars empire. Russia is held up as the most unhappy country of moderT times. Those who attend moving pic tIre shows become familiar with the distressing conditions and no ont reads a Russian novel without feel ing the blood boil at the portrayal O scenes purporting to be taken iron real life. But Russia Is on the other side of the globe and if our sympa thies go out to the i'll treated crea lures of that far-away land. how much keener should have been the feeling of indignation when Alabamians read the Associated Press report from our gulf city about the sheriff's deputies searching a residence on a warrant issued under the Fuller law.
 Thursday the home of Charles Nel- son in Mobile was invaded and searched for liquor, notwithstanding the protests of the unprotected ladies of the household. The full story ap- peared in this paper of yesterday, but as the case is of uncommon interest to alf freemen who still cherish the idea that a mans home is sacred that his home is his castle-The Age Herald reproduces Mrs. Nelson's statement which is as follows:
 Five deputies from the sheriff's of flee came here this morning and had a search warrant for No Cont street. They came upstairs and wanted to make the search My daughter told them they would have to get another warrant, that they were in the wrong place. The dep uties went away and came back soon with another warrant for No. Cont street They then turned our beds up- side down, looking under the mattresses and among the quilts, ransaclked bureau drawers writing desk drawers, side boards and every other piece of furniture in the house with a drawer in it.
 Finally they went into the rooms of my daughters and demanded that the trunks be opened My husband told them they would have to break them open. l finally unlocked the trunks and the girls had to take their clothing out of the trunks with the deputies standing over them. The only liquor found was half pint in a sideboard drawer. The officers carried that away with them.
 In view of what happened in Mo bile and what is happening or will happen in other places, is there any wonder that many Alabamians who had been classed as prohibitionists are now as earnestly opposed to stat utory prohibition as we have 1t un' der the drastic Fuller act, as they are solemnly protesting against the con stitutional amendment proposition The second clause of the proposed amendment Is this:
 Nothing in the constitution of Alabama shall be construed to prevent the legisla- ture under police power from designating places where such liquors may not be stored or kept.
 Conditions in Russia today are no more intolerable than they are fast be- l coming in Alabama If the amendment should carry it is reasonable to say that not many men of this generation would live long enough to see 1t an nulled. No matter what the over- yhelming sentiment of the state might be it would be possible for a few prohibition senators to prevent It's re-submission to the people.
 Think of it! The second clause of the amendment followed by statute prohibiting any citizen from keeping beer. wine or liquor of any kind in his own home!
 For the first time the people are soon to vote in a state election on a question relating to prohibition. This constitutional amendment proposition is a serious menace, indeed,-the most serious because the most far-reachine for harm that has confronted the peo ple since the dreadful days of recon. struction.
 The Age Herald has faith in the in telligent white men of Alabama and it cannot but feel that a large majority will vote against the amendment. II is little short of inconceivable that any well-poised, fair-minded citizen could read that second clause and vote for the amendment, especially when the whole prohibition matter is only in an experimental stage. We have just had one shameful object lesson at Mobile, but if the amend ment Is adopted this will become a commonwealth of spies and outrag eous scenes similar to that enacted on Thursday will be witnessed in every town and city in the state.
 Alabama has fallen on evil times but let the people rise in their man hood and show to the world at large