The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-02
TWO GOOD REASONS.

There are two strong vital reasons why the proposed amendment to the Consultation should be defeated. The first Is that 1t Is wrong in theory and In principle. It has been well said that it is an attempt to interpoiate police powers into our organic law. and that is just what 1t is. If adopt cd it will either put into the constitu- heiong solely to the Legislature. or it will be invalid If 1t can do what some nf its supporters claim for 1t, 1t will; be such an innovation as was never even dreamed Of by those who first gave Alabama a Constitution. IL will he a plain violation of the spirit and intention of that instrument. and a grnss usurpation of legislative powers which should never be sanctioned
 There is said to be such thing as doing evil that good may follow. hut to adopt this amendment would be to do evil where evil will be sure to fol low If it becomes part of the Constf tuition. and Is as effective as some claim that 1t will be Tt, win make it impossible for future Legislatures to of the prohibition laws that may prove
 to he hurtful or wrong. If, however. as good lawyers declare. the amend ment. if adopted. will have no enfcrc ing powers of its own. then it will be useless eneumbrance and one that is hound to cause trouble in future Ii will accomplish nothing of itself and will tie the hands of Legislatures as long as 1t remains part of the consti. tntion-
 But aside from these reasons there 's another that should have weight with all conservative and right-think- ing people of Alabama. IL should be defeated as a rebuke to the mer who proposed 1t. There was absolutely no excuse for pluneing tho State into a bitter campaign at this time Not ip forty years in our Judgment. has there been campaign in Alabama wbicb vailed forth as much of heat, of bis- terness and of personal antagonism as this will do The claim put forth by some of it's blind or self7interested ad- vocates that the good men of the State favor the amendment Is grossly unfair and untrue The contest will divide and antagonize friends, cause hard and disorder i'm the churches them selves. In whatever light we view 1t we can only see campaign that is hound to do much harm and work much evil to the State and people Of Alabama, and the voters should put he seal of their condemnation on those responsible for its inception.
 And the authors and supporters of this movement should be rebuked in the most emphatic measure for putting the State to the expense of an election this year Notwithstanding the efforts of the administration and the admin. istration forces to hide the true con- dition Of the States finances. enough is known to make 1t plain that the n- uanctal condition is not sa tisfactory or encouraging. The State "a pressed for money to meet its legit';n, .e expenses and win have to resort to loans to GOV. CT the deficit. To put it to heavy ex- pense for the session and additional expense Of fifty thousand dollars or more for holding an election which should never have been ordered was one of those blunders that are worse than crimes. Thoss responsible for it should get such @ rebuke at the polls as will deter future lawmakers and administrations from thus ignoraruy Or Intentionally misrepresenting the people and the sentiment of Alabama.