The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-02
PERCY ANALYzES
ELECTION RESULT
Probable Effect On Future Leg
islation In State
SUCCESS OF PROHIBITION
Experiment Has So Far Demonstrated
1t Is Not Settled Enough to
Justify Making 1t Permanent
Public Policy.
SUCCESS OF PROHIBITION

the Editor of The Ase-Herald:
The shouting and the tunult die; the
noke OF battle clears away; the re-
.mbent forms of few apparent corpses
main lonely upon the deserted battle
ED. The two armies of voters return
their daily toll, and the curious mind
iquires. Why and what next
The unwlsdom OF Incorporating in the
fundamental law perpetual prohibition
fully tried; the improperly Of lettering
the action of future legislatures in tht
solution of complex and difficult prob
lem: the failure to incorporate in the
second clause of the proposed amendment
a provision exemptlng homes from the
places where the legislature might pro-
hibit the storage of liquor, the undue
prominence of a seemingly unpopular
personality; revolt against the perpetual
tion of the present dynasty; too much
spectacle of the abdication by ma
jority of the legislature of the power
of originating legislation, and the ser
vile passage, practically without consid-
Grafton, of bills drafted by the legal ad-
wiser of the administration, were doubt
less some and would appear enough,
causes for the recent Waterloo.
Accepting as a truism the philosophy
that Life is just one darned thing after
mother the question OF profound in
iS stUlaat paxt ~
Politics on Both Sides.
The repeated assertion that there was
90 much politics in the amendment is
true II is reasonable to sup
des was due to selfish personal and
political considerations. 1t is doubtless
rue that the great brewery and liquor
interests and those who have or hope
hereafter to directly profit by the sac
# liquor contributed TO the defeat of
he amendment. The politicians and the
liquor interests constitute, however, an
proportion of the voters of
he state At least IS per cent of the
-oters of Alabama had no other interest
n the success or failure of the amend
nent, and have no other interest in the
repeal or modification OF
he present prohibition laws, except the
.ood of the community and of the COM
nonwealth as they see it. The heat
f the controversy cooled or, this great
,ody of our citizens must consider the
future.
New candidates for the governorship
will press forward or be forced to the
ront by new conditions. Members of
he next state legislature are almost
to be selected. Beyond ques-
ion, the declarations of most or the anti
amendment leaders, heretofore skeptic-
dly received by the other side. that they
would oppose a repeal of the prohibition
avs and sne open saloon, were sincere.
3ut 1 apprehend that those selfishly in
crested in the defeat of the amendment
because of their desire to pront by the
enewal of the liquor trade will. as
,rophesied by the amenders, seek to elect
members of the next legislature favor
bile to the repeal or emascuiation OF
he present prohibition laws. On this
ubieet believe feel like the great pro-
ortion of those who opposed the amend
nent.
Original Fight For Prohibition.
Originally. with some hesitation and re-
uctance. l opposed the adoption Of state
vide prohibition, because the best evi-
ence I could obtain as to the result or
he experiment elsewhere, led me to think
hat 1t was not practicable solution
4 a great and almost universally admit
ed evil. The majority of the voters or
alabama having decided to try the ex-
eriment of statewide prohibition I, with
many others, have watched the workings
4 the new laws with friendly interest
md, believe, free from bias.
In the early part of 1908. when the pro-
ibition statute nrst went into effect, a
reat change for the better was wrought
n the morals and social order of this
community. During the first three
months under the operation OF the new
avs, drinking was reduced, 1 believe,
" rs per cent. Petty crime was dimin-
shed to such an extent as to almost
tut Judge Feagin out OF business; and 1t
ogically follows that the condition of the
yaae-earner and his family, morally and
was vastly improved. Fsmil-
arity with the new laws brought about
-iolations, to which In this state we are
o unfortunately accustomed. Fake clubs
pened for business at the head of every
taircase until In the summer OF 1909 there
we're probably as many places where a
rink could be purchased in Birming-
am as in the days Of the open saloon.
he Objectionable corners were not In ev-
dence, but apparently a. much drinking
vas being done as in the palmy days Of
he white-ccated bartender, and the at
endant evils were probably greater, al
hough not so conspicuous to the casual
observer. The fake club was not due to
my defect in the law. but to the usual
mpotency in its enforcement. Following
he call for the special session of the leg
stature public attention has been again
'ocused upon the liquor proposition. The