The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-31

AS an argument for the re establishment of
saloons In the larger cities of Alabama, Gov
ernor ONeal declares that prohibition has been
failure, and that it has increased crime, pro-
NOTED intemperance and debauched the youth
of the State.
If this were based upon fact there would be
more reason why prohibition should be abandoned
an economic policy well moral force,
But the governors statements not borne out
by the records OF the courts and those set forth
by former Attorney General CARRIER. The cases
OF drunkenness before the State courts for 1902
10 under prohibition were 81 Ia per cent. less
than during 1907-'0S. when liquor legally
sold. Murders and homicides caused by liquor
decreased from 34s to 25s total falling of of all
court crimes in the State under prohibition. SOC;
white boys arrested under sixteen years of age
in Birmingham with its narrow limits in 1905
were 14s. as compared with SO during 1910 In all
Of Greater Birmingham: number of arrests for
lrunks in l907-'0s In Birmin CHAM under narrow
limits. 2,4zS as compared with 1,i72 in all of
Greater birmingham for 1903.
The Ledger Is forced to the conclusion from
these records that prohibition even under its
So called lax enforcement has not been fall
ure. compared with the open saloon, has not
increased crime and intemperance, and has not
debauched the youth of the State We do not
believe that the general showing, including moral.
hygienic and economic conditions so far as they
affected by Intoxicating liquors. have been
go bad under prohibition as under the open sa-
loon. The records prove this,
SO far Birmingham and the other larger
cities OF the State concerned we have had
and are likely to have similar conditions and
prospects for enforcing the laws regulating sa-
looms for enforcing the prohibition laws. With
all that has been claimed by opponents OF pro-
hibition TO the lax enforcement of the prohihi-
ton laws, when the open saloon was In Btrm-
iugham the laws regulating it's establishment
and operation were no better enforced than have
been the prohibition laws, In fact, the open sa-
loon its defiant attitude and it's constantly In
creasng evils became offensive to the people
Of this community. productive Of lawessness
and crime, so dangerous to the public peace ana
the public welfare, that the people were willing
10 try anything substitute, feeling that con :
ditions as arising from the liquor evil could
cal an hnrtnR tHey
would be much better.
With the re-estabnshment OF the open sa-
loon would come the powerful organized PERM
cious political and financial influence Of the LIQUOR
factor including the monster force and active
support Of outside distiilers' and brewers inter-
ests, to prevent the enforcement of the law the
saloon never has and never will be regulated In
opposition these interests. Sucn regulation as
Birmingham would get would be largely suoh as
Is approved by and satisfactory to these mann
moth. grasping organized interests That has
been the history OF regulation 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 elaborate
plan whereby to regulate the saloons In the larger
cities His theory reads plausible There would
be about much chance for law embodying
these elaborate details to be strictly enforced for
any length OF time in Birmingham as for the sa-
loon interests themselves TO become public spir-
tied. sincere patriots.
II the saloon is n good thing for the large
I cities why is 1t not good 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 battalions in
the cities, and not especially profitable by
reason of the comparatively small volume of bust
ness available
The Ledger believes the majority OF the people
OF birmingham who are not directly or indirectly
Interested financially in the establishment op-
Grafton OF saloons here opposed to the return
of this frightful source Of evil It is unqueston-
ably true that very large part of such senti-
ment exists here for the re-establishment Of
the saloon and very large part of the activity
to this end come from who Will be directly
or indirectly identified with the liquor business
or who VIII directly or indirectly profit ndivid-
ually therefrom. This influence IL anything but
safe and sane as compared with that which views
the question in It's relation to the public In
terests.
In the opinion OF the Ledger, the re establish
ment of the saloon in Birmingham, following a
solemn public promise by the famous Montgom-
cry conference-which virtually launched the gu
bernatoriel boom OF Governor O'Neal--that there
turn OF this crime breeding institution. would not
only be an open breach Of faith, but would de-
| monstrate that 1t is only question OF time be-
fore another dismal failure to regulate It In the
interests of the public peace. the public safety,
and the public welfare together with the power
full. demoraliang political influence which the
saloon always has and always will exercise, will
necessitate O. widespread movement to abolish II
again dangerous and intolerable public men
ace.-Birmingham Ledger.
TO AN OLD SHOE.