The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-02-24
J. D. JOHNS ABANDONS
THE STATEWIDE LAW
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"During my term as sheriff Nash
vile was practically closed town. 1t
was SC because public sentiment favor
ed the enforcement of law. At present
it is what might truthfully be termed
"wide.open" town, and this is main
ly due to the fact that public senti-
ment is opposed to statute that ap-
pears to have been forced upon peo-
pie without their consent.
sin my judgement prohibition in
the city of Nashville is a dismal fail
ure. Today there is as much liquor
sold in the city as there ever was be-
fore the enactment of the statewide
prohibition laws. They have bounded
over the segregated districts and today
are doing business without the pay
ment of one dollar of revenue to the
city, county or state. Unjust be plain
to all that under these present condi-
tons the prohibition law has not been
enforced, nor can be enforced.
mot alone has statewide prohibi-
ton proven a failure in this state, but
the legislation has brought about no
end Of harmful results. 1t has digni-
fled the saloon, and where before they
were plainly named and all knew
their business, they are now called
''soft drink" establishments. Many
of them have only taken their blinds
away and put in soda fountain. They
invite men, women and minors alike
to enter and be served"
Authorities Cannot Reach the ViOlatOrs
Then Mr.. Johns took new grip on
the subject in which he appeared so in
terested:
"Why, sir, the condition is worse
today than ever before existed, and it
is almost impossible for the authorities
to regulate them or to offset their bane-
fu effects. 1t is largely due TO the
fact that public sentiment is largely
intrenched behind the soft drink places,
and that if those who conduct the ones
that are apprehensible are caught, it is
most difficult to secure evidence to find
true bill with twelve grand jurors
and then get twelve more jurors to
convict.
81 am now and have always been
for the enforcement of law, and | be-
lieve my record will bear me out that /
have stood openly for every movement
tending to promote TIE cause of true
temperance. AT great sacrifice |
fought faithfully three Of the hardest
fights ever made in the county of Da-
wilson for law enforcement as well as
the temperance cause, and that shall
continue TO the best of my ability for
true Temperance and law enforcement
is borne out not only by my determin-
alton, but ray record | made as an Off
cial In this county. But that we must
pursue our work along practical and
rational lines must be apparent to all,
and il must be also apparent to any
one who gives the matter serious con-
sideration that there is but one solu-
zion to the liquor question in this or
any other state. The whiskey traffic
has to be policed, regulated and con-
trolled. This can only be accomplished
by the enactment of laws based upon
public approval, and after all public
sentiment is law"
Will Advocate u Regulatory Measure
"How are you going TO proceed to
correct the evils to which you refer"'
III am going to do my humblest best
to arouse sentiment for the repeal of
the present state wide blanket law. 1t
is wet blanket ON the progress and
the material and moral welfare OF the
state. | am determined TO lift my
voice in advocacy of a return to reason
and respect for law. am convinced
now that statewide prohibition is not
practical, and the larger cities of the
state, if they desire, should be allowed
to vote directly upon this question,
and that when this judgement is rem
dered, even law-brealers will stand in
awe. Then, and not till then, will
law enforcement be an accomplished
fact.
"Existing conditions in this and in
other cities of the state are the silent
but unanswerable and unimpeachable
witnesses to the truth of the statement
that the present statewide prohibition
law is dismal failure.
~ expect to ask hearing through
out the state on this question, and
hope then to go further into details,
giving my conclusions, based upon
close observation and practical exper-
fence, as to how law enforcement and
the strict regulation and government
of the whiskey traffic can be best ac-
complished.