Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-10

i would not nehllOu SuDJSCt VI
revenue as effecting this question If the
act accomplished any good, because 1,
for one, would be willing to sacrifice
revenue for moral uplift. But with the
state cramped for funds. with our peo-
pie grooming under the highest tax rate
permitted by the constitution, with one
of the highest percentages of illiteracy
in the union, our teachers underpaid
and not promptly paid, and yet with no
benefits in return, the question is pre-
scented to every serious mind whether
better solution cannot be presented than
is afforded by the act of 1907. Most can
did prohibitionists with whom I have
talked are thoroughly dissatisfied with
the present law. The prohibitionists
were undisputed masters OF the legisla-
ture in 1907. and the general prohibi-
ton law of 1907 was their solution of
the question. They have had their day
in court. Their experiment has been
fully tried out. 1t matters not whether
1t has been a failure or partially a sue
cess Certainly no candid, impartial
mind will object to different solution
of the question il his judgment approves
it as being something better than what
we have, and especially must this be
true unless it be conceded that the peo-
pie have no right to have a say so in
the premises.
THE STATES DUTY.
If it be conceded that any considerable
quantity of intoxicating liquor is con-
sumed by our citizens, / contend that
the state should see to 1t that the quail
ty of this stuff shall not be such as to
damage those who use 1t. or endanger
their lives, or permit the purchaser TO
be defrauded and cheated by receiving
in exchange for his money worthless
chemical decoction. Every drop of an
intoxicating fluid which is sold to our
citizens and consumed by them should
be submitted to analysis and inspected
under the supervision Of the state; and
yet with every railroad and express
train bringing vast streams of intoxicating
liquor iuto Georgia, the state is unable
to control its quality any more than
its quantity. and our citizens by the
thousands are being debauched physical
ly as well as morally. We cannot in
spect any of the liquor which may be
bought by our citizens or condemn it be-
cause II is outlawed. No principle of
law is better settled than tnat outlawry
and regulation are absolutely inconsIst-
ent and incompatible with each other In
connection with any provision I of law
winch may authorize the citizens of any
county In this state to legalize the sale
of intoxicants under strict regulations, |
shall favor a rigid analysis and inspec-
ton by sworn inspectors OF all intoxi-
cants which may be sold in this stats,
ana the obstruction Oh any liquors wlaicn
may not be pure.
1t is mockery to talk of protecting the
poor drunkard and yet consent to his
killing himself by poison. None of our
people should be defrauded and cheated
in the purchase of stimula ats, nor their
lives and health be endangered by vile
chemical decoctlons.
If it be said that the present prohibit
ton Law was designed to protect the
wives and the children of the man who
is so weak and so heartless as to not
care for the children of his own bouy,
and the wife of his own bosom, L would
suggest a far more effective plan than
the mere attempt to place the base Of
supplies for such creature out of hi
reach in Jacksonville or Chattanooga
Let law be passed by which any hus
oand, or father, who is able to work
and who, on account of drunkenness, fails
to support his vile or children. will be
guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by
Imprisonment from one to twelve months
without the alternative of a fine. and
with provision that the value of his
service upon the public works shall be
paid weekly by the county authorities for
the support of his family, and you will
perform more substantial service to the
helpless family than can be derived from
mere expressions of sympathy. No pro-
hibition law will prevent the heartless
husband or father from spending in 9TH
er ways the earnings which he should
give his wife and --'ldren but the law
suggest will accomplish three things. 1t
will prevent the wife from sacrificing
herself to pay a fine. 1t will put the
inebriate where he cannot get whisky,
and it will provide support for his family.
Fellow-citizens, I am in favor OF the
enforcement of every law until 1t is re-
pealed. but I am also in favor of the
passage OF sound, practical. straight
forward, honest laws which meet the APP
proYal OF the best public sentiment / am
opposed to the passage of hypocritical,
deceitful. double dealing laws. and il
such are on the statute books 1 favor
their repeal. 1 am not IN favor of more
whisky in Georgia Those who buy and
use it alone are responsible II there are
any intoxicating liquids in Georgia. For
without buyers there can be no sellers.
1t takes two parties to make a contract
of sale. and / have always believed that
If the purpose of the prohibitory statute
was TO prevent the use of intoxicants,
and the sale of whisky was a crime
then the buyer should be just as guilty
as the S6ileT- his Is true OF every OIne~
act which is made a criminal offense by
law where it requires a concurrent ac-
ton of two parties to commit the Of
Tense.
1 am in favor of having a much small
er quantity of Intoxicating liquors con-
sumed in Georgia than we. have been
buying in recent years. bu< we should
see to it that whatever Intoxicating
liquor is consumed 1t will be of a far
purer and better quality than is now
being sold to our helpless citizens.
When I consider that our citizens are
over burdened by taxation. which has
gone to the extreme constitutional limit;
when consider that the finances of the
state are in an embarrassed condition,
and the state administration crippled for
the want of funds: when L consider the
apparent impossibility of giving the chill
dren OF the state those educational ad-
vantages which they deserve. and then
consider that Georgia is losing perhaps
two millions of dollarslannually in license
taxes, TO say nothing of intoxicanes
which pour into our state by day and by
night, and which. under the constitution
ef the United States, cannot be stopped
and will never cease until our people
stop buying. 1 for one must
protest. and in the name of the best in
terest of Georgia demand a change. AS
Nero of old fiddled while Rome was
burning. so Georgia is whistling while