Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-04-05
MANY MINISTERS
FAINT HEARTED
ON PROHIBITION
This is Charge at Session Fri
day Morning of the Southern
Anti-SaIoon League Conven-
ton at First Baptist Church

hCNNANc III
Florida Kentucky, louisiana, Tennessee
and North Carolina, in which the inactiv-
tty Of the ministers was somewhat criti-
cisec. were made Friday morning at the
Southern Anti-Ssloon League convention
at the First Baptist church. II was inti-
mated that at times the minister allows
himself 20 be Influenced by prominent
anti-prohibition members OF his church
into showing less activity for the prohibit
tiOn movement than he should
According to the reports. Florida is
now the center OF the bitterest of all
state prohibition fights. Prohibitionists
and anti-prohibitionists are centering
their efforts there. On November S. 1910.
a constitutional amendment for prohibit
ton will be voted on. DIR. ]. ]. Thomp-
son. who read the Florida report, said
prohibitionists viii begin an active can
vass OF the state. He said: We have
no reason TO think OF defeat at this cleo
ton"
In Kentucky the prohibition movement
was reported TO be neither advancing nor
receding. II was insisted. however, that
there must be more aggression there. or
prohibition may begin TO lose ground.
LOUISIANA REPORT.
In Louisiana the state measure in force
was reported tC be ineffective. The Rev.
l.. NJ Barber. making this report. said:
"If this measure were properly enforced
IL would close every dram shop in the
state But, whoever heard OF regulating
the liquor traffic OF the saloon? We
might as well talk OF putting a regula-
ton on a mad dog and turning him loose.
or Of regulating the virus OF a rattle
snake" He said that the state legisla-
ture OF Louisiana Is overwhelmingly op-
posed 20 prohibition.
The report from Tennessee was that the
statewide prohibition in effect there has
the opposition OF the entire state admin
istration- II was said. however. that
prohibition is really prohibiting in Ten
pessee except In Nashville. Chattanooga,
and Memphis. II is practically disregard
ed in Memphis. Conditions are better
in Chattanooga and Nashville. In making
this report W. r. Hamilton said: We
merely want 10 get rid Of Memphis. II
we could give II to some other state il
would be an excellent thing
The report from North Carolina was
that since the enactment of the prohi-
bition law politics have never been so
clean. crime has never shown such de-
cerase. educational and religious condi-
tons have never been so good. The jug
trade and near-beer saloons were given
as the greatest enemies Of prohibition.
DR.. R NJ. Davis. who made the report
from North Carolina. and w. R. Ham
ilton, who reported OF conditions in Ten
nessee. both criticised the inactivity OF
the ministry. DR.. Davis said:
MINISTER'S REMISS.
North Carolina is suffering today be-
cause the preachers are not doing what
they should. Church and preachers were
eager enough for prohibition. but now
that we have il they hesitate TO insist
from their pulpits on civic righteousness"
Mr. Hamilton said:
"A small following OF the devil I'm our
churches has closed the mouths of too
many ministers on the prohibition sub
ject- These are strong words. but they are
true. Too many OF our preachers listen
too often TO influential members Of their
CONGREGATIONS who are anti-prohibition-
ists.''
The reports mentioned two coming pro-
hibifion elections, one for Florida in No
vember; another for louisiana The leg
fsiative committee of Louisiana has pro-
posed 20 sHmbit TO the voters OF seven
Congressional districts the question OF
prohibition Two OF these districts take
In portions Of New Orleans II was pre-
dicted that these districts will go over
wheImingIy anti-prohibition. OF $500 sa>
looms in Louisiana. most are in New Or
leans. II was estimated that there Is
saloon for every 175 residents of New Or
leans
DR.. Thompson declared that t1orida Is
being made a dumping ground for the
dry states He said that the brewers are
attempting 20 retain II as a distributing
point for the south.
Dr. Hamilton. speaking Of Tennessee,
said that while IL has prohibition the
state is stiil facing the greatest prohibit
ton fight in it's history. that the anti
prohibition forces were never so active.
Speaking OF Nashville he said that the
Judge. sheriff and police there were con-
trolIed by the anti-prOhibitionists, while
the prohibitionists had aiding them only
the attorney general
The report showed that there are now
Il wet cities in Florida. that in Kentucky
there are IS dry counties. that in Louis
fana 20 per cent Of the counties are under
prohibition.
ADDRESSES FOLLOW REPORTS.
At the conclusion OF the reports. DR..
c. L. Collins, Of Florida. spoke on THE
League Sunday" The other speakers
were r. L. Davis. of North Carolina.
ssThe League and the Sunday School.
and DR.. ]. ]. Thompson, of Florida,
How 10 Secure State Prohibition" Cen
craI discussions followed At noon COM
mIttees were appointed and adjournment
taken
Sessions OF the convention will be
held Friday afternoon and evening at
the First Baptist church. Three ses-
sions will be held daily through Mon