The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-03
ONeal's Theories
and Some Plain Facts

ana Dome I lain FdCtSl
As an argument Tor the re-establishment OF
saloons in the larger cities of Alabama, Gov
ernor ONeal declares that prohibition has been
a failure. and that II has increased crime, pro-
NOTED intemperance and debauched the youth
OF the State.
II this were based upon fact, there would be
more reason why prohibition should be aban-
doned as an economic policy "a well as a moral
force. But the governors statements ares not
borne out by the records of the courts and those
set forth by former Accomplishment CARRIER.
The cases of drunkenness before the State courts
for l909-'10 under prohibition were "a IL
per cent. less than during ~I907-'0s, when liquor
was legally sold. Murders and homicides caused
by liquor decreased from 34S to 25S; total fall
ing of of all court crimes in the State under
prohibition, soc; white boys arrested under Six
teen years OF age in Birmingham with its
narrow limits In 1906 were 143, as compared
with &c during 1910 in all of Greater Birming-
ham; number of arrests for drunks in 1e07-'0S
in Birmingham under narrow limits. 2.42s, as
compared with 1.172 in all OF Greater Birming-
ham for 1909.
these records that prohibition, even under its
so-ca1led lax enforcement, has not been a fall
ure, as compared with the open saloon, has not
increased crime and intemperHnce, and has not
debauched the youth of the State We do not
believe that the general showing. including
moral. hygienio and economic conditions, SO far
as they are affected by Intoxicating liquors,
have been 80 bad under prohibition as under
the open saloon. The records prove this,
so rar as birmingham and the other larger
cities OF the State are concerned, We have had
and are likely to have similar conditions and
prospects for enforcing the laws regulating sa-
looms as for enforcing the prohibition laws. With
all that has been claimed by opponents OF pro-
hibition as 10 the lax enforcement of the pro-
hibition laws when the open saloon was in
Birmingham the laws regulating its establish
ment and operation were no better enforced
than have been the prohibition laws. In fact
the open saloon in its defiant attitude and its
constantly increasing evils became so offensive
TO the penDle of this c0mmuuity. SO productive
of lawlessness and crime, so dangerous to the
public peace and the public welfare, that the
people were willing to try anything as a sub
stitute. feeling that conditions as arising from
the liquor evil could scarcely get any worse,
and hoping that they would be much better.
With the re-establishment of the open sa-
loon would come the powerful organised perni-
cious political and financial influence of the
liquor factor, including the monster force and
active support of outside distillers' and brew
ers' interests, to prevent the enforcement of the
law. The saloon never has and never will be
regulated in opposition to these interests. Such
regulation as Birmingham would get would
he largely such as is approved by and salts
factory to these mammoth, grasping organized
interests. That has been the history of regu-
lation in Birmingham and the other larger cities
Of Alabama, and We might expect to see 1t
resumed and continued.
Governor O'Neal has worked out an elaborate
plan whereby to regulate the saloons in the
larger cities. His theory reads plausible. There
would be about as much chance for a law en-
bodying these elaborate details to be strictly
enforced for any length of time in Birming-
ham as for the saloon interests themselves to
become public-spirited, sincere patriots.
II the saloon Is a good thing for the large
cities. why is II not a gsod thing for the small
towns and the rural regions? The latter do
not want it, and the whiskey interests don't
worry much about that. because these localities
do not furnish victims In droves and hattalionx
as in the cities, and are not especially profitable
by reason of the comparatively small volume
of business available.
The Ledger believes the majority of the peo-
pie of Birmingham who are not directly or
indirectly interested financially in the estab-
lishment or operation of saloons here are op-
posed to the return OF this frishtful source of
evil. It is unquestionably true that a very large
part of such sentiment exists here for the re-
establishment OF the saloon and a very large
part OF the activity to this end comes from men
who will be directly or indirectly identified with
the liquor business or who will directly or in
directly profit individually therefrom. This In
iuence Is anything but safe and sane as COM
pared with that which views the question in
it's relation TO the public interests.
In the opinion Of the Ledger, the re-establish-
ment Of the saloon in Birmingham. following a
solemn public promise by the famous Mont
gomery conference-which virtually launched
the gubernatorial boom for Governor O'Neal-
that there was no disposition nor purpose to
permit the return * ehts cxima-breedinK In
stftution, would not only be an open breach
/ of faith but would demonstrate that Il fs only
"A question OF time before another dismal fail
ure to regulate 1t In the interests of the pub
lie peace. the public safety, and the pubic
welfare. together with the powerful, demoralir-
ing political influence which the saloon always
has and always will exercise, win necessitate
a widespread movement to abolish 1t again as
q dangerous and intoleFabie public menace
Birmingham Ledger.