Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-21
GEORGIA CAN NOT AFFORD TO co BACKWARD
Rx nIsHoP W. A. cANpLEI

Some who would, have Georgia aban-
assume. and would have others believe
that if the prohibitory law were re-
pealed, we would at once return to the
conditions which prevailed when that
law was adopted, that the old local OPP
ton law would be restored. and that
all the counties which were dry under
the local option law would continue as
they were. But this is a groundless as
sumption, and no one who cares for
good order in the state should be de-
ceived by It.
When the liquor interests are allowed
to return to power after a period of
prohibition they always come back more
wicked and more corrupt than ever be-
fore. 1t is very natural that they
should do so. Under prohibition their
constant cry is prohibition does not
prohibit" and they try to prove their
words true by encouraging all possible
violations OF the law. They thus make
lawlessness a basis OF argument for
repeating law, which Is the argument
OF anarchy. II now concessions are
made to the spirit of lawlessness. and
the law is repealed at the bidding of
those who violate II, the anarchistic
spirit il made thereby more resolute
and more defiant of law, and Il is en-
couraged to set all laws at nought
which stand in the way OF it's purposes.
Always. therefore, the whiskey power
= % r. 80 a. ham
,eeded in repeating a prohibition statute
than 1t was before the statute was
adopted.
We have a perfect illustration OF the
matter in the conduct OF the liquorites
in Alabama since the prohibition law
was repealed in that state. There lies
before me the general presentments OF
the Grand Jury in Jefferson County
(the county in which Birmingham is
Iocated), made at the September term
Of the Circuit Court. and in those pre-
sentiments / find this most significant
paragraph:
"In view Of the fact that the
excise commission is newly con-
stituted body which has scarcely
begun its labors, and upon whom
largely depends the success or fail
ure OF the new liquor law known
have no desire to make hasty
criticism of any action Of that
body; and we recommend to the
people of Jefferson county pa
tient attitude towards them.
"At the same time it is most
unfortunate that that commission
has seen At to grant licenses to
some of the most notorious and
fagrant violators of the former
prohibition laws. in direct violation
of the provisions of said Smith
bill.
1--WE cannot understand by any
process Of reasoning or any con-
tortion of the imagination haw men
with such unsavory and criminal
records, such as are borne by some
of the licensees, can reasonably
be expected to obey any provision
of this law IL 1t does not please
them to do so.
1--WE speak, advisedly with refer
ence to this matter. having exam
fned the record of each and every
licensee in both the probate ana
|, criminal courts OF this county.
SOLELY FOR PUBLIC GOOD.
"While our investigations have
heen as thorough as circumstances
would permit. and the foregoing re-
mort has necessarily dealt largely ,
with unwholesome conditions (ano
5n come instances involved indivtd-
uals). vet our recommendations
have been made solely with an eye
to the public good"
THAT language is quite temperate IL
Is mild to a degree; but the facts given
show that the saloonists have gotten
grip on the Excise Commission ana are
carrying things their own way WIN
Adorv saws most emphatically that the
.Iiouor situation in Jefferson County is
worse than ii was four years ago, De-
fore prohibition went into effect.
And such would be the case In Geor-
ola II our prohibitory law were repeal
Cd We know what were the intoler-
able conditions existing in the state
when II was enacted. The Atlanta riot
of 1906 burnt that into our memories.
But we would go to still worse condi-
lions. II, in obedience to the demands
OF a lawless interest, we repealed our
law because that interest has done
every thing II can to make its enforce
ment difHcult during the years which
have elapsed since 1t was put on the
statute books. Defiance of law ought
not to give any interest the power TO
dictate law.
Moreover. 1t should not be forgotten
that the adoption of the prohibition Law
reneafed the local-option law. II now
the prohibition law we're repealed, we
would have to get local option adopted
again. IL we could. Does any sane man
suppose that a defiant liquor interest,
grown more defiant by the concessions
made to it's turbulence, would take no
hand in shaping whatever local option
law might be enacted? The men who
shout most loudly for local option now
in most instances were ardent advo-
Gates of free liquor and violent oppon-
ents OF local option IN former days; and
1t is fair to suppose they would return
to their former position on the sub
ject II the prohibition law were repeal
ed The same forces which are crying
for local option in Georgia have heen
oppc>'ng IL In Illinois and Kentucky.
What they really desire and intend is
not local option. but to get rid of pro-
hibItion In all FORMS If possible; and