The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-08
Time for Legislative Action

1imO iUi EO6ioludtV hOetoh
 Four weeks have passed since the legis- lature convened, and in this time little else than ordinary routine and political boxing, so to speak. have marked the proceedings; but from now on there should be action and a good deal of 1t.
 Alabama seldom assemblies a more rep resentative body of men than the law makers now in session at Montgomery. In this legislature there is more than the average of talent. Many of the members are especially we'll equipped for public life and not few of them possess the essential elements of leadership. It IS an honest body and it is fair to assume that the majority are men of courage as well as sane views on current issues. Such being the case, wise and beneficent legislation is expected, and the public has the right to expect only that which i 'ANN-
 is for the good of the many.
 An issue of vital importance is that relating to the liquor traffic and the reg ulation thereof. Statewide prohibition, now on the statute books. is not only contrary to democratic doctrine, but it of IT, ance; and surely temperance Is the chief end sought by those who are at war with Demon Rum. Previous to the radical leg is1ature which kicked aside the local op- ton plank in the democratic platform 90 ner cent of Alabama had voted out liquor. The local option system which was Tn yogue was right and just and no thought full friend of the temperance cause want ed it overturned; much less did the more moderate of the prohibitionists ask for such drastic enactments as those adopt ed at the special session in 1909.
 The first opportunity which'the people of Alabama had of voting in a general election on the prohibition question was in November, 1909, when the amendment proposition seeking to write prohibition in the organic law was overwhelmingly defeated. In subsequent elections prohibi- ton was an issue and these elections served further to show that the senti- ment of Alabama was not for sumptuary leeislation of the Fuller-Carmichael brands-
 The democratic state convention of last May was notable for its representative character. It was composed of able men and ardent democrats, and after a free discussion local option was adopted as one of the strong blanks of the platform. And upon that platform every loyal dem- ocrat in the legislature will be glad to stand
 The Parks local option bill Is made the special order for tomorrow. It is only a general measure, being merely reaf- ermation of a democratic doctrine. But it's passage will show where the legisla- ture stands on the main issue; will show | how strong or how weak are the prohibi- ton agitators.
 It is believed the Parks bill will be nassed in both houses and then will be needed supplemental legislation making local option workable. There<are vary ing opinions among local optionists as to regula tion, and particularly as to sa- loon or dispensafy. The Age-Herald is pronounced advocate of the dispensary for Jefferson county, although in the very nature of things it believes that the pre- valing sentiment in each county should
 
 above all, the people demand relief from the present ntoerable laws. The ultra prohibitionist asks that these laws be not disturbed, but even the extremists can hardly take themselves seriously in de- lending any law that has proved to be farce and worse.
 Let democrats get together and act without consuming any more time than is absolutely necessary There are a number of very important measures pend- ing. but let the lawmakers first get back to practical local option and then pro- ceed with the rest.
 No Arrests on Trivial Charges The report of the chief of police for