The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-20

in the Christian, the generous and up
building spirit, whether his personal views
be right or wrong 1t is NED BRACE"
took this to mean that your columns
were open to those who might differ from
you In your views on some questions.
If 1 read it Alright 1 desire space In
your columns to make some comments.
You make some conditions I note and
suggest that the writer do not come at
you with prohibition pistol. I will not
use the pistol, but the sword of truth
| as I see 1t.
The heading of your article indicates
your subject to be the recent decision
Of the supreme court of Alabama on
an ordinance passed by the city coun-
Gil of Bessemer relating to the stor-
age of liquor In soft drink stands or
places where beverages are kept for
sale.
A great deal has been said about lock-
er clubs. in connection with this case
Why, do not know, because they mad
nothing to do with this particular case
AS this is Bessemer case 1t will
doubtless be of interest to you to know
from a Bessemer man what lead up to
TIC DdSSdBt VI Ills VI uiitaHNS'
Il am not going to discuss the ques-
ton of prohibition Just now. That ques-
ton was settled at the polls for Jeffer-
son county and for Bessemer particularly
by an overwhelming vote of qualified
electors of this portion of the state.
The law is now that no person shall
sell or give away spirituous, vinous or
malt liquors In this county.
Honorable men, who were engaged in
the business of selling liquor before the
passage Of the law making effective the
will OF the majority Of the people, gave
up the business and engaged in other
avocations with, | sincerely hope, good
measure of success.
Dishonorable men made up their minds
to disregard the will of the majority
OF their fellow citizens. to do as they
pleased, to violate the law of the state
and the ordinance of the city, to be-
come a law unto themselves, and to set
themselves up as superior to everything
but their own pleasure.
This was not q new role for some or
them, who have been persistent, con-
sistent and indefatigable law-breakers for
| years, as the records of the courts will
show.
These men were encouraged by nom
resident brewers and liquor dealers, who
proposed to pay the revenue licenses for
retail liouor dealers for soft drink stands
| liquors, the licenses for soft drink stands
and the fines of those caught selling the
stuff in violation OF the law.
The law-breakers with this sort of
backing went to work and one of them
went so far as to boldly tell the of
| fcials: Eyes, l am selling whisky and
| it is up to you to catch me-"
Wagon loads of beer and whisky were
sent into the town, stored in the rear
of soft drink stands, negro and white
| lookouts, or spoilers were posted to warn
the bartenders of the approach of an
officer, and pullers-in or solicitors were
actually used on the streets of BESSIE
| mer to help the Illegal trade along.
The police claimed they were powerless
to prevent violations of the law unless
they could use the goods stored on the
premises as evidence against the SELL
ers and as a result the ordinance in ques-
ton was passed
This ordinance does not in any way
| infringe on the rights of individuals
as 1t has been made to appear by some
| 1t was passed for the sole purpose Of