New-York tribune., 1909-11-30
ALABAMA is WET"
HOT FIGHT At POLLS.
Fisticufs. Prayers, Singing
and Brass Bands.

Birmingham Ala. Nov. 2s.-Alabarlans
to-day defeated a prohibition amendment
10 the state constitution by a majority es-
tinated At from y. zoe to 90 900 votes To-
days election was the first popular express
sion in Alabama on the prohibition Of liquor
selling
The state-Wide prohibition bill was passed
by Legislature which had been elected
on local option platform. and while sew
eral counties had declared for prohibition
under the local option act the voters Of
tne entire state had never before been
called on 10 pass on the question directly
In Birmingham the election was the most
exciting ever Witnessed. Hundreds OF per-
sons were crowded around each polling
pisce; women and children sang and prayed
snd brass bends stationed by the anti
amendment forces played patriotic airs In
an effort TO drown the prayers
Each polling place was enlivened by its
quota Of fist fights. there being so many
il was impossible 10 keep track OF them.
FeeIng was 50 high that few words were
sunlclent 10 bring on blows Every Other
Noter was challenged and required TO make
an1daFit that he was a qualified electoT.
rms delayed the casting OF ballots consid-
erahiy. but in spite Of these handicaps the
vote was heavy
As an instance OF the deep feeling dis
played. a preacher on whose coat a young
woman attempted TO pm a white ribbon az
the polling booth declined telling her il
was improper for young women to speak
in the street 10 men whom they did not
know. The woman began crying and the
preacher apologized for hurting her feel
ings. hut said the polling places we're i'm
proper places for young women The affair
was taken up all over the city. and parti-
sans commended or denounced the conduct
of the preacher according to their sentl-
ments on the question at issue
Farmers voted heavily against the amend
ment. as did most Of the large counties
While women and children were at the
polls in many places. their presence did not
affect the vote 10 any extent.
Oscar Han the Tax Commissioner of
Baldwin County. foil dead AT his home. I'm
Bay Miuette, a few minutes after voting
for the amendment. Physicians said death
was due 10 heart disease.
\ street procession was started here a.
o'clock. headed by a huge coffin. labelled
Amendment"
Chairman J Lee Long Who has been in
charge OF the fight against the amendment.
says that the majority against the amend
ment will he fully 10000. Early returns in
dicated landslide against me amendment.
and succeeding reports bore out these indi-
cations.
jefferson County birmingham in which
the night was concentrated gave a majority
OF more than .eSl against The amendment
Mobile, Montgomery and Cullman counties
show 5he largest majorities for the vic
tOriOus side
Apparently the amendment vas carried
in only three counties-Talladega. Macon
and Sumter-with Lee in doubt
Although no other question was before
the voters. some persODal politics was in
jected into the issue The amendments
association with the administration OF
Governor r b. Conner and his reported
ability 10 name 2 successor to the governor
ship In Judge :. n. Weaklsy. author OF the
prohibition bills. figured prominently in the
campaign.
Birmingham, the metropolis Of Alabama
celebrated the result tonight. Thousand
Of persons from jefferson and adjoining
counties came 10 Birmingham 10 get the
returns and the streets were one bliiow OF
enthusiasm.