The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-18

system that the wisdom of statesmen ean provide We should enact laws that | will elevate the system of bank super 1 vision in Alabama to the very hshest
 plane and to this end I recommend T at | cur present system of bank regulation 1 be raised into a separate deI artment of tie state government under the control Of an officer whose authority shall be | ample and shall be backed by adequate l penalties. This authority should begin | with the organization of the bank, to | the end that adventurers may be pre- vented from ever gaining start and should follow the bank so long as it is the repository of the money of the pub lic I do not anticipate that any conser- vative and sound banker will oppose the creation of such a department Tor chject to the closest regulation or the severest penalties tor violations of the rules of safe and prudent trusteeship Nor should the banks object to bearing the major part of the expense, since t,leir prosperity is advanced by what ever may promote their safety and strengthen public confidence.
 We are admonished of the importance of this subject by the rising tide of prosperity and development that is about to flood the south with the approaching completion of the Panama canal. The sIOWtH we nave lldu III NiApbthd iS but a foretaste of what we will have, and such periods are always and every where characterized by an thrush of adventurers, and fake banks are their favorite method of exploiting the peo- rle. We should especially throw around the organization of new banks such safe- guards and restrictions as will prevent the entry of mere adventurers into the field of banking, which is peculiarly in- viting to their activities and in which disaster causes so much of suffering to the mass of ther clients and victims.
 Prohibition Laws
 No other legislation in the history of the state has provoked such angry con- troversy and discussion or created such political discord, bitterness and acri- mony as the statewide prohibition laws enacted at the special session of the leg islature in 1907 and 1909. The submis- sion by the legislature at the extraor- dlnary session of 1909 of a constitutional amendment on the subject of prohibition, within the earliest period allowed by the organic law, precipitated the bitterest and most acrimonious political contest ever waged in Alabama It divided out peo- pie into opposing political factions. It aroused passion and engendered intol- erance, severed friendships and created that spirit of dscord and division so fatal to industrial and moral develop ment.
 The liquor question, in all its aspects and phases, has been the subject of earn est debate and discussion in three po- litical campaigns. Its just and proper settlement in accordance with the wishes of the people-whose trusted agents you are-and in compliance with the solemn pledges of the party platform is of vital moment; and Is demanded alike by the cause of true temperance, of law, and Of order and is essential to the restoration of that peace and tranquility so neces- sary to our progress and development
 Among the many questions which will be presented for your consideration there is none about which our people are more deeply interested. The great body of our people are temperate and law abiding. They admit the evils of intemperance and uphold the best standards of mor- ality and good citizenship. It is this class of our citizens, who in great measure support and maintain the churches of the different Christian de- nominations of the state and they stand for the rule of the majority as under stood and expressed by the advocates of local option. Whatever may be our in dividual views as to this question, or,
 
 ard wisest methods to secure it's control and settlement I am tolerant enough to believe that we are all seeking to &C., eomplish the same results-the promo ton of temperance and sobriety among our people.
 That present conditions are deplorable in many portions of the state every fair and candid man must admit, but In Dr- der to reach correct conclusions upon this important issue a brief history of our legislation OH this subject is nec- essary.
 Review of Prohibition Laws of State
 Prior to the passage in 1907 of the statewide prohibition iaw, prohibition had not been a political issue in Ala bama. The question had never been submitted to the electorate of the state. Neither of the leading political parties lad ever declared in its favor. Local op- ton had been the accepted creed of both. The whole question of regulating. con- trolling or prohibiting the liquor traffic, had been committed to the local mem bers of the legislature of the respective counties of the state.
 Prior to the passage of the bill com monly known as the Ballard law, pro- hibition had already been adopted in a majority of the counties of the state by SItcldl UT lOcdi idWS. HIS Was dCCCiu- plshed generally by the direct action of the local members and in some instances by referendum to the people.
 The first agitation of the liquor ques- ton that occurred in this state was when dispensaries were adopted by numerous counties after that system had been in- troduced in South Carolina. But during all the period prior to the special session of 1907 it was generally recognized that the method of regulating and controlling the liquor traffic, whether by high license. dispensaries or prohib. tion of it's sale, was a local matter to be committed to the counties or communities affected. Hence, before the adoption of the policy of statewide prohibition. Alabama en- joyed pra ctical prohibition, with the ex- ception of the larger business centers, while licenses or dispensares were issued under local option. In the rural commun- ities and in the smaller towns and vil- lages, and in sparsely settled communities where sufficient police protection was lacking, as well as in a majority of the counties of the state, prohibition had been favored and justly favored. as the best method of dealing with the situation The state collected a license, graded ac- cording to the population of the city or town, and being very moderate in amount. The method of procuring a license was by petition addressed to the probate judge and signed by 20 householders and freeholders, certifying to the good moral character of the applicant. No commits sion, board or other official was vested with any authority to investigate the charac acter and fitness of the applicant for license, and any man who could secure the requisite names could procure a li- cense The regulations and restrictions upon the traffic were meagre, crude, and