The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-10-21
THE EVOLUTION OF
THE AMENDMENT.

The beverage liquor business IN flor-
ida has been legalized or outlawed by
counties, as the people Of the various
counties willed, since the adoption of
the constitution OF 1885.
Prior to that time the business was le-
galized in all parts OF the state by sys-
tenn OF license.
Since the adoption OF the constitution
the people have outlawed tby popular
vote the business in 50 of the AZ coun
ties OF the state.
During the past half-dozen years the
legislatures of Mississippi, Alabama,
Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee
have enacted STATUTORY STATE
WIDE PROHIBITION.
In Texas and South Carolina the peo-
pie have this year, by large maiorities,
also elected legislatures pledged to the
enactment of state wide prohibition.
Thus the entire southeastern part OF
the United States provided Florida
adopts the amendment will soon be sa-
loonless territory-a great and growing
section where debauchery, vice and
crime will not be cultivated for the dol
lar and where the states will place their
only premiums on decency, and for the
encouragement OF peace and order and
true happiness.
This great section will not then be
PERFECT PARADISE, for we will
still be OF the earth, earthly. But VIC
will at least have put the seal of our con-
demnation upon the chief source OF all
the crime and pauperism and miserieS in
this land, and open the way for the cs-
adjustment OF justice and domestic tran
guilty.
Since the adoption OF prohibition in
the states north and west OF US the liquor
dealers, driven from Chattanooga, Biz
mingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Atlanta,
Macon, Augusta and other cities, have
settled principally in Jacksonville, from
which point they are doing their utmost
10 annul and make OF no avail the ex-
pressed wish and law OF the people of
the dry counties of Florida. Their cheap
liquors made in Jacksonville on days
notice. are flooding the state, and their
purely local crop of DRINKS, paupcrs and
criminals are being distributed to the
dry counties, thus becoming a burden TO
the tax. payer and an eye-sore TO decency.
This has been the condition in Flori-
da for several years. There was demand
for relief. The legislature OF 1909 was
elected the majority because ii favored
amendment TO the constitution forever
prohibiting the beverage liquor business
in the state,
The legislature of 1909 was solidly
democratic. Ii believed in the rule OF
the people. By considerably more than
a three-fifths majority of the members
the amendment was submitted.
And this in face of the most COR
RUPT AND POWERFUL LOBBY
which the ORGANIZED LIQUOR
POWER of the state and nation could
bring to bear 10 accomplish its defeat. 4.
Whisky money COULDN'T BUY the
Democratic Legislature of 1909. Remcm-
Der that, and
Now we have the amendment TO vote
upon. 1t was submitted as privilege 10
all the qualified voters of the state OF
Florida, regardless of party or race.
The issue is: SALOON or NO SA-
LOON. Here is
The Amendment:
Article XIX-Scction /. The man
ufaCturc and sale, barter or exchange,
of intoxicating liquors and beycrag-
cs, whether spurious, vinouS or malt,
are hereby forever prohibited in the
State OF Florida, except alcohol for
medicinal, scientific or mechanical
purposes, and wine for Sacramental
purposes; the sale OF which alcohol
and wine for the purposes aforesaid
shall be regulated by law.
Sec. 2. The Legislature shall en-
act suitable laws for the enforce
mcnt of the provisions OF this article.
Sec 3. This article shall go into
effect on the first day of July, A. D.
1911.
If this amendment fails TO receive a
majority of the votes cast on ii, the pres
cnt local option article of the constitu-
ton will stand If ii receives a majority,
the saloons in Florida will go out OF bus
mess on July list, 1911.
A very large part of the best people in
jacksonville and other saloon cursed
cities of the state arc crying out for help.
The saloon oligarchy control the politics
of these cities and unless this amend
mcnt is adopted, it will, like the serpent
of LAGOON, get its grip OF death upon
the democracy of the entire state.
The demand for this amendment had its
origin with the plain, God fearing PEG
pie in all parts of Florida. The oppo-
sition is centercd in the organized liquor
gang. which is paying all the bills, both
legitimate and illegitimatc-in which
latter class are more than 5000 diSSolutc
negroes, qualified 10 vote against the
amendment with saloon money
Mr.. Voter, on which side will you
enlist? There can be no compromise.
You must take one side or the other.
The 1910 census figures give Tampa
a population of 1854, an increase of
p, 6S5 over 1900, or 1892 per cent. And