New-York tribune., 1909-09-26
ALABAMA FIGHT ON
PROHIBITION At STAKE.
Result of Coming Election of Ma
tiOnaI importance.
ERy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Birmingham, Ala, Sept. 25.-The fact that a num-
Der of leading citizens of Alabama who have here
tofore been numbered with the prohibitionists are
now taking active part in the campaign to de-
feat constitutional amendment placing prohibi-
ton IN the organic law OF the state leads those who
have berns sns brunt of TIE night against so-caled
radcaisnn to believe that the of the tide has
come They see or profess TO see. in the strong
opposition to constitutional prohibition breaking
away from the movement which has swept Ala
bena Georgia, Tennessee and other states into the
prohibition column and which has made many parts
Of Kentucky Indiana Ohio and other Western and
Southern states close the door against the saloon
That the attempt to write prohibition into the
organic law OF Alabama has caused a split In the
temperance forces admits OF no discussion AT
the opening rally in Montgomery, at which the
movement 10 fight constitutional prohibition was
launched, the chair was occupied by a State Sena-
tor who has for years been recognized as a leading
temperance advocate, and all of the speakers were
men who were aligned with the prohibition forces
in the local option election OF couple of years
ago when the saloons were driven out of BIImlng-
ham The cry has been raised that the prohlbi-
tonists are attempting to go too far. and the fact
that these former prohibition leaders are active
in the movement against the amendment leads the
Observation-Disclosures believe that the long predcted
reaction is Undertaking. with great rapidity'
The prediction is being freely made that II the
constitutional amendment is defeated the doors OF
Alabama will be opened TO the saloons within three
wears and this prediction seems Wen rounded,
The defeat of the amendment would be accePteu
bv the anti-prohibtionists as reputation OF the
ternperance laws under which Alabama mas become
one of the "dryest' spots on earth ana there y
not the slightest doubt that the downfall OF the
measure would be followed by an energeuc cam
raipn for control Of the next Legislature, 70 OS
lected in 1911 The fight Will be carried oeioi'
- ID and the argument will be used that the
o,la are tired Of drastic prohibition laws ana
-. mic feeling of dissatisfaction was manlIesteu
- -, election wherein the prohibition amehuilehl
went down IN defeat
.DRy" FORCES CONFIDENT
,-.,.,t,o, that there have been desertions
- INKS The prohibtionists express coiII-
dence in their ability 10 carry the aheiuii a. a.
aeeert that they have made more 'iaII 'tie
,,r,s from the opposition forces TO offset INC 80 49,
. ,tse Who have gone 90 the other SIDE lHey
"a -. 80 apbt is one Of "sal1on or no saloon
- toc,tIv admit that prohibition in the state
lands or falls with the amendment lhe
80, ,,ul he held on November - Dut tle can"
-, &C. now or in full swing, and is develop
ing much bite ness -, -, .,o fata
o, the saloon in Alabama for years to cone-prooa'
DIV for all time IT is. therefore, d Isii' ~ ~ -
= o. as the saloon interests are concerned. With
out the amendment IN the eohs'i'uton M ~
rest on their oars and watch for favoraDie OPP
.t,,rt,, 10 launch fight for the aboishment ot
me ripid prohibition laws. with the amehdheh' III
az. constitution tie task would be pracuehy h"Pe
less. Not only would they nave 10 set H'aJoi.s
- ,,,o-tbirds in the Legislature TO have Vote
-, ,ba removal Of the amendment, but they
o,,Id have 10 go before the people ana OBTAIN i's
repudiation in popular election 49,.
4 the saloon men see me sItuauoh' uie uoiS
- H. amendment would slow that there was wide
-. a j sdissa ction with the present laws ana
tte,, could make a stiff fight before the besisaiuTe
with fair hope o. success On the oihet manu- t'io
adontion OF the amendment woulu haAe Aui'iiot
aQhtlns useless. at least for 4 number oi sea'St