The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-30
BEDDOW ID LEAD
 FOR PROHIBITION Ovation for Conner at Yes
 terday's Meeting ALL ENTHUSIASTIC Borden Burr Is Vice Chairman and Speakers Indicate They Will Put
 Up Hard Fight in Behalf
 of Prohibition

touhly. IHe olHeT OnlCeIS WtlSs bOihOh Burr, vice chairman. and E. R. Norman, secretary
 The meeting was held in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce, and was at tended by large gathering of citizens that taxed the seating capacity of the hall. The session was of only one hours duration, but the proceedings were dis patched with business-like precision. and the full purpose of the meeting was ac- complished.
 The entrance of former Gov. B. B. Conner was the signal for prolonged ap- plause, and he hailed as the next governor of the state, both from the aud fence and the speakers stand
 | Great enthusiasm prevailed throughout the meeting, and the applause was liberal and spontaneous. As whole the speak CTS, while extremely positive as to the cause of prohibition, were temperate in tone and conceded the right of difference of opinion, and advised against useless Or heated discussion.
 All the speakers were given close at tention, and every pointed statement brought applause. The prohibition lead CTS are much gratifed at the success en- thusiasm and earnestness evinced at the meeting which is regarded as good indi- cation in spite of reverses that the pro- hibition cause has many strong and earnest supporters throughout the county.
 Goodall Calls Order
 Promptly at 10 o'clock R. M. Goodall called the meeting to order, and after prayer by the Rev. l.. c. Branscomb, pas tor of the First Methodist church, the business of the meeting was transacted
 On motion John H. Frye was elected permanent chairman and E. R. Norman secretary
 MT. Frye in his speech of acceptance advocated a strong and vigorous cam paign against the return Of the saloon and outlined the evils resulting from the saloons and assigned as reasons why men advocated the sale of lquor-frst, financial gain; second, from a belief that prohibition did not prohibit and from the idea that prohibition interfered with the idea of personal liberty. He assert ed that many of the arguments of the opposition could be refuted with actual facts, and that little was to be gained
 
 hearers that no matter what the results of the election were, the people of Jeff ferson county must live together, and that no good would come from failing out with our friends and neighbors on ac- | count of a difference of opinion" He advanced strong reasons against the re- turn of the saloon and urged a personal interest in the approaching campaign and predicted victory would surely follow united and active campaign. At the conclusion of his speech MT. Frye was warmly applauded.
 Nominating Committee
 The chair appointed a committee con sisting of w. R. Starbuck, R. NJ Goodall w. H. Dickerson, Felix l. Tarrant and P. c. Ratcliff, to select a chairman and vice chairman of the campaign commit tee. While the committee was prepar- ing It's report the Rev. A. J. Dickerson addressed the meeting
 pr. Dickerson was greeted by applause | and in vigorous fashion attacked the pro- visions R the Smith bill and stated 1t was drawn in the interest of the liuuor traffic. He explained at length it's legal construction and alleged it was framed up by men who were against Governor Conner, but that it would eventually prove to be pavement by which Mr. Conner could walk back to the governors chair d SldltlncHl WHICH DlOuSnl pIOiO0Reu applause from the audience.
 He drew vivid picture of the powers invested in the governor through the excise commission. He asserted that as a means of collecting poodle the excise commission had the greatest opportunity that had ever been invested in men. He urged a strong. vigorous fight against the return of the saloon and stated that the success of the local op- tonists meant sure defeat for the pro- hibitionists at the next gubernatorial elec- ton. As to the dispensary question he said he hated dispensaries. but that in the event prohibition could not carry that it was tactical wisdom to vote for dis pensary, for the reason that they could be more easily dislodged than the saloon. His speech throughout was a severe ar raignment of the liquor traffic and with strong imagination he painted the state in the clutches of the liquor traffic by and through the excise commission pr. Dickerson was frequently interrupted by the applause of his hearers. At the conclusion of his speech the nominating committee made report. presenting the names of c. P Beddow chairman and | Borden Burr vice chairman of the cam paign committee who were elected by 1 a standing unanimous vote. They were | escorted to the speakers stand and re- ceived a great ovation.
 BeddOw Makes Talk Mir Beddow said that contrary to the usual order of things, he was not sur prised at his election yesterday, but that he was surprised when he was inportuned by some of the best citizens in the state to accept leadership in the great campaign that was now before them and that 1t was with reluctance that he had accepted the responsibility.
 He said to every man comes some opportunity to work for the best in- terest of his country and he felt that that moment in his life had come He accepted tho nomination feeling that it was the greatest compliment he had ever received and that he felt honored thereby. He gave his views on the present status of the prohibition condi- tions of the city and stated that con ditions are today infinitely prefera ble to the lawlessness that prevailed under the old conditions.
 In referring to the causes that led to the defeat of the constitutional amendment, he stated that the Conner legislature had got hoggish and had sprung 1t too soon. He asserted that the defeat of the amendment meant by no means the return of the saloon thai many men voted against 1t because they thought it was i'll advised In speaking of the open violations of the law he referred to the laxity of the Tate city administration" in the en- forcement of the law. but they had now man on the commission of back bone and the courage of his convictions and that the open violations of the law had practically ceased statement that was abundantly applauded.
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