The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-09-22

/ this respect. I consider the law very
foolish and very unnecessary.
just STAND ana right which Would prohibit
me from having whiskey or wine in
my house.. Some years ago I had
heart rending case of typhoid fever
In my family. I had able physicians.
all OF whom advised me that the only
chance to sustain the vitality of my
child was to administer to her whis-
ksy s @s ussS x %fs t was amSst
deaths deaf door. haven't any doubt
that .whiskey saved her life. She used
a half gallon. Under the present law
| when needed Qf at all In time to do
any good) would be from q dealer in
another State. l have no whiskey in
kept 1t. AS cannot now procure It
from drug store when needed. for
sickness. shall be compelled to keep
The proposed amendment authorizes
law which would prevent me from
keeping 1t in my house: Whiskey
kept anywhere. under the present
facie evidence of guilt, and renders
the party subject to Indictment. I am
not In favor Of a law which restricts
my liberty Of having whiskey in my
an amendment to the constitution
which would authorize such law.
think the question of personal liner
/
myself. and not someone else for me.
Not even "a majority" ought to settle
1t for me.
II believed that the proposed
Of temperance, or would even help the
cause of prohibition. 1t is possible
that might sacrifice my convictions
some OF the extreme provisions of the
| proposed amendment, and, I fear. or
the present law, will hinder the cause
q bsp nasx ., instead ar Of helping ag
ways. in the last analysis. rests on the
will the Jury do?" II juries win not
4 law ignored makes lawless men.
Sooner or later, extreme laws are al
ways ignored. You must remember
sfSt In their heart heart Of nsarts
abiding aversion for whiskey which
you have. Most people today are
against the saloon and the blind tig-
they may say in the present agitation.
they go no further. II the law shall
attempt to go further. and shall put
limitations on what people conceive
timent of the people will as surely
change as time runs, and the last con.
dition will be worse than the first. II
radical, extreme legislation, prohibit
ton or otherwise. in this State or any
| other State. he will be convinced that
what / have just said Is true.
So far as 1 shall strive in the future
to be useful to my State and county,
suppression of the liquor traffic will be
one Of my chief efforts. both In and
has been my Specially as everyone
familiar with the work in the court
knows. l am perfectly convinced that
| 1t Is one of the greatest evils. But
| Hen1imHnt
shut my eyes to unwise legislation
proposed or advocated by men who
have little experience in the practical
suppression Of law breakers. II you
| suppose that any considerable number
of the men against the amendment ia
| this county desire return of the sa-
err, you are just as much mistaken as
It is possible for a man to be mistak-
en-. Practically everybody Is against
the saloon and tiger
| / regret that ! must express my
self SO briefly and so inadequately rs
! am compelled to do In a letter.
There are other cogent reasons not
touched upon which would lead me to
to put any obstacle in the way of pro-
Il hibition is not one of them.
Il My deliberate and settled conviction
s@s sSss won
produce laws far In excess of what
the mass OF the people. including
many VINO VIII vote TOT tne ameno-
ment, would stand for, when passion
has cooled and the people are nor
NAL. / am sure the cause OF prohibit
ton would be injured, and has al
ready been injured.
regret that I must express myself.
Long since made up my mind to stand
for what Is right, for the sole reason
that 1t Is right. All judges. even in
their public duties. must run counter
to public sentiment but no honest
judge would hesitate on that account.
The contention of the prohibition
leaders that the amendment will
stop agitation. Is Utopian dream.
Men viii not lay aside their eonvic-
lions and surrender. even II the
amendment Is adopted. nor will We
have prohibition in fact except
through ceaseless, untiring and con-
| tinuous battle. To imagine the con-
trary might furnish a theme for q
poet but not for q practical man who
knows practical men and is familiar
with methods by which laws may be
enforced.
have NOT the slightest shadow of
doubt that time will prove the cor
reetness OF my position. Yours very
sincerely,