The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-06


G. Bush. one of Bir
inent citizens has
Erwin Craighead.
Register giving h
ton to the proposed, CONSTITUTIONAL amend
ment Colonel Bush was for many years
president of the Alabama Consolidated
Coal and Iron company and has extens
sive business interests in this city. He
is one of the most prominent members of
the Baptist church in the state.
His letter is dignified and in 1t the
writer takes occasion TO speak In the
highest terms of many of his friends
who are working to have the amendment
carried. The correspondence on the SUBJ
ject is as follows:
Mr. craghead's Letter.
Mobile, Ala. October 30, 1909.
Hon. T. G. Bush. Birmingham, Ala.
Dear Mr.. Bush: At time when the
principle of popular or representative gov
eminent is at stake when the hand ne
the peoples representatives are to be
tied. so that If present legislation should
prove to be a failure no amelIoration or
the situation. and no adoption OF more
reasonable measures would be possible
we naturally look to the leaders of
thought to give support to the defense.
and to express themselves on so momen
tous an issue. Therefore. ask your
aid. and suggest that you use our col
umns in answer to the question which
now put TO you:
Why should Alabamian protest
against the adoption of the proposed pro-
, hioition amendment OF the state constitu-
tion2
Hoping you will see fit to reply at such
length as may appear to you proper for
the purpose had In view, remain yours
truly, ERWIN CRAIGHEAD.
Mobile Register
Colonel acknowledgements .s4.ssg,
birmingham, Ala. November L 1a09
Mr.. Erwin Craighsad, Editor Mobile Reg
lister, Mobile. Ala.
My Dear Mr. Craighead: | am in re-
eeipt OF yours OF the s0th ultimo, asking
me to express my views as to why an
Alabamian should protest against the
adoption of the proposed prohibition
amendment of the state constitution
have hesitated to express my views
publicly, at least, in regard to this i'm
portant matter, as | have found it dini-
cult to do so and make myself as clearly
understood as ] should like. | have
as | suppose others have-given this ques-
ton some serious thought feeling that
1t Is one of small moment | am
unable to convince myself that the issue
as presented to the people is a wise one
| felt as a prohibtionist, that the Sc
curing of prohibition under the local op-
ton law. and then statewide prohibition
by statute-with sufficient machinery TO
enforce these laws-was a great stride in
the line of prohibition and ought to have
met the expectations of the most hope
ful advocates of prohibition.
imperative and Ineffective.
To adopt the amendment as proposed
seems to me to be needless, because |
think, in itself, it is entirely imperative
and ineffective. Prohibition in the con-
stitution, without laws to enforce SAME
would mean nothing-as was the case for
SO many years with reference to consti-
tutional prohibition of the use of railroad
passes by state officials. While in my
judgment, the adoption of the amend
ment would be of no avail in enforcing
prohibition, L can see where harm might
result in the future. For instance IL the
majority OF the people OF this state should
decide against prohibition in its present
form and prefer some plan of regulation
of the liquor traffic. they would be power
less TO do so with the proposed amend
ment in force. But it Is natural to as
sumo that under such circumstances they
would likely, through the legislature, re-
peal or so modify the present laws as
almost unbearable; for we would then
have open violation of the constitution
without power to control or regulate
As to the second section of the amend
ment, l have no fear that, if adopted il
would result in the promiscuous invasion
of the homes of our people, for such ac-
tion would not be tolerated; and, as evi-
dence of that fact, the advocates of the
adoption of the amendment express them
selves against such a course, and inti-
mate that that feature of the amend
ment would not be enforced. II that
Is true. then ii occurs to me that such
a provision. If intended to be enforced,
should not be adopted: and IL it is In
tended. on the other hand. not TO enforce
it. then, for that reason. it ought not
TO be adopted. At all events no such
power should be given to the legislature.
Mixed With Undesirable Politics.
have been unable to discover that
this is an issue only between whisky or
no whisky On the contrary, the question
seems to be very much mixed with unde-
sirable politics 1t does appear that this
amendment. probably at one time, was
the twin brother OF the biennial session
amendment; and there is probably some
reason to believe that in the early stages
of the discussion of this question it was
intended that both should be adopted by
the Legislature Governor Conner, in some
OF his public utterances. has been quoted
(withoue t.en'ah saying that vote
for the adoption of the amendment means
vindcation of himself or his admitr
istration, and he likens all those wzo wifi
not vote for his vindication to very un-
popular animal that Is not supposed to
be worth more than scent He fur
ther stated, In substance. that those who
should vote contrary to his views should
be carried to Tuscaloosa under military
guard, If he had the power to do go. III
this latter should be done. it might be
thought desirable that he should take the
lead.
Now far the matter of women
making wine at home is concerned
think there are not very large number
in the state who expect or desire 10
saasIra rEisan / hnliosxo thnxr