The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-06-05
SPEAKS ON ALABAMA
Emmett 0'Neal Says Conser-
Vatism Is Gaining.
GUEST AT BANQUET HERE
Tells Delegation from His Native
state why His Campaign for NOmi-
nation Succeeded and How Pro-
hibitiOn Figures in the Future of
AIabRma'S welfare.

"The keynote of the campaign just
closed in Alabama was the restoration
of conservatism against radicalism, and
what viii recommend to the legislature
win be along that line
Emmett O'NeaI. who was nominated for
governor by the Democrats of Alabama,
and will be elected in November, spoke
as above last night He was guest of
honor at a banquet at which Representa-
tive Underwood, dean of the Alabama
delegation, acted as toastmastsr
The campaign in Alabama was fought
out on the prohibition issue and under
the leadership of Mr.. O'Neal the eff
forts to control the private habits of.
citizen" were defeated.
Local option" said Mr. O'Neal. had
been the accepted creed of the Demo-
cratic party up to the passage of the
Statewide prohibition bill In 1907 The
legislature which passed the law was
committed to the doctrine of local Op-
ton. While it was the consensus of opin-
ion in Alabama that the adoption of the
Statewide prohibition bill was in viola
ton of party platform, there was a gem
eral disposition 10 give the new laws
full and fair trial
Where the Fight Succeeded.
Under the principles of local option,
we had driven. not liquor, but the open
saloon from 90 per cent Of the territory
of the State. and the only result accom-
plished by Statewide prohibition was 10
close the saloons in two of the largest
cities and some Of the counties, where
public sentiment failed TO support the
law.
Not satisfied with the act creating
Statewide prohibition. the extra legisla-
ture of 1903 passed laws more extreme
and radical on the liquor question than
those on the statute books of any other
State. In addition to this. they not only
undertook TO prohibit the sale of liquor
by constitutional amendment, but sought
by the second section Of the amendment
to regulate and control the private habits
OF a citizen. The result was a bitter and
acrimonious campaign and the amend
ment was overwhelmingly defeated. carry
ing only six counties I'm the State Under
the rules OF the Democratic party. dele
gates were elected TO a State convention,
and after a full discussion. that conven-
ton declared IN favor of local option as
the wsest method for the solution OF the
liquor question. While the recent con-
test for governor engendered some bit
teTness. that ended with the announce
ment of the party's verdict.
Party Makes Big Majority.
There may be some disaffection on the
part Of the extreme and radical prohibit
tiOnists who never were loyal to the prin-
tales Of the party. but every indication
points TO one Of the largest majorities the
party has received in many years
From all the clash of opinions and
ideas on the liquor question. 1 am con-
WINGED that if liquor is allowed again to
be sold in any part OF the State. il viii
be under some system by which admitted
evils viii be minimized as far as posi-
bic by careful and conservative legisla-
ton
I'm the campaign just closed, Mr. NAL
Tory. my opponent, represented the ex-
IRENE prohibition sentiment OF the State.
and it was generally believed he would
yeto any act of the legislature that ex-
cepted any county from the operation of
the general prohibition laws While ne
never made any direct statement to that
effect, his speeches created that impress
sion. While I stated l favored giving the
laws fair trial. I said that l would not
veto any act of the legislature excepting
any counties from the operation of the
general law. if the same expressed the
thoughtful sentiment Of the people"