The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-10
PYesident Hende7 s0n Would
 Gibe Present Labs Trial
Head of Railroad Commission Gives Objections to Prohibition Amendment and Presents Reasons For His Conclusions
 Writes Open Letter On Subject

Montgomery, September 1o.-(Special.)- Charles Henderson of Troy. president Of the railroad commission of Alabama, has written an ''open letter" to J. Lee Long, promoter of the fight against the consti- tutional prohibition amendment, in which he declares the agitation for change in the organic law of the state most un- wise. according to his way of viewing the matter.
 The letter of MT Henderson. as con- sequence, has been given wide currency by the opponents of the measure The railroad commissioner has long been re- garded as one of the most conservative citizens of the state, and as one Of the sanest administration men.
 The commissioner states that he be- leves the squabble to be far-reaching, but gives as his views that the amend ment would not at all better enforce the laws. The correspondence Is as follows:
 Long Writes Henderson.
 September 1. 1909. MT. Charles Henderson. Troy, Ala. Dear Mr. Henderson The question Of whether or not prohibition in Alabama should be made a part of our constltu- tion Is now uppermost in the minds or the people of this state. The proper so- iution of this question Is very neces- sary, and calls for the calmest ana most deliberate consideration.
 As view 1t, it is in no sense ques- lion of choosing between open bar rooms and prohibition, but of the wisdom or placing such a regulation or provision In fhe organic law of this state.
 Jnasmuch as the laws for the promo tion of temperance enacted by the recent extraordinary session are the most s.lli- gent and far-reaching that were ever passed by any legislature in this country; ; Ii strikes me the people would oo well to wait and see If these statutory en- ectments are not sufficient to answer all The purposes that the most ardent prohlpi- tionist could desire.
 The lawyers of AfS~>saa ana others who know the history of constitution malsing. and the province of the same' m,iii view with fear the prospect Of in troducinR a police regulation into the constitution of Alabama.
 Tn view of the importance of this ques- tion, think that our strong men snoulo speak out freely on the subject, ana a,, sure that whatever you might say wouio have great weight.
 feel that if you would express your self on this matter and permit me to make your views public, you would pc doing a great service to our people
 With kndest personal regards, l am yours very truly, J. LEE LONG.
 Mir. Henderson's Letter.
 Troy. Ala, September g. 1909. Hon. J. Lee Long, Montgomery;
 Nv Dear Sir: received your letter or the 1st inst, requesting an expression from me on the question now uppeln,os. THUS. nr ,,ot nrohibftton should be made part ~ ths constitution of the state Of Ala A Ahana and answer has been delayed o"- ing to other pressing engagements Tn reply I wish to say that whhe l haye never felt called upon to give pupno expression on this supoec'' my
 have known where stood.
 That I have kept silent so far was py ro means due to the fact that l nave ,,nderrated the importance or the iesue- h,1t 1t was from my natural incina.,o I'd shrink from engaging in the strile agitation and bitterness involved ID Jus' .uch issues as the one before us'
 o,,r citizens are face to face with ,,olitical question that but few states nave been called upon to decide. ,.,
 vo,, will find no southern state with a ,onstit,1tion containing an article such as Che one proposed here. It is well to point out in this connection that While many other southern states nave statewioe pro- bihition. 1t Is safe to assert that no other stata has as strong comprehensive and ching statutes for its enforcement ne has the state of Alabama. From re- norts at hand there is practfced in Ala hama as little violation of the prohibition stat,,te. as almost any other criminal statute then why should the amendment he adopted? will 1t strengthen or aid to enforce the present or future statutes that may be enacted on this subject? l think not, unless 1t is intended to so amend the organic law as 10 make IL ther and by still more drastic statutes cur tail our most sacred rights. It sets a dangerous precedent and opens wide the door and invites the most objectionable of all legislation, and may tend to future changes in the constitution on the most fimsy pretext, that In the end would make the constitution tyranical bond.
 It is claimed for the amendment that its adoption will settle tho prohibition Ques-