The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-26

satisfaction The would consider IL set
tied Otherwise it would ever remain
mooted question. In his answer Mr.,
Wallace strongly indicates it as his
belief that Mr.. Conner is a candidate
of the state wide prohibition party, al
though he charges Mr.. Conner with
never having declared-himseif strong
ly on this issue.
Mr.. Wallace Questioned
BOX 6, Montgomery, Ala.
July %, 1918.
zion. John H. Wallace. Jr., Montgom-
cry. Ala:
Dear Sir-Permit me to ask you, as
candidate for governor of our great
state. two questions that l may be
the more able to diffuse righteous
knowledge of affairs of state both from
my pulpit and through religious
newspaper of considerable proportions
going to thousands of voters of which
1 happen to be an editor.
First, in your document, For the
Making of a Greater Alabama page 8
under the head of Local OPTION you
say that you favor local option and
that state wide prohibition is absolute
cause it annihilates the right of local
government
Now. the war of the eos was fought
over the principles of states rights
This was the bone of contention. And
while we were overpowered we were
never conquered in our belief that
states rights is right. And while our
federal government takes IL for grant
ed that the south lost in the conflict
even the government recognizes
states rights every day and every
hour TO be right.
Now. therefore. If our legislature
makes our state the unit and orders
a statewide local option election, is
it not right for the majority TO carry
such election? If yon say yes, then
you contradict yourself when you say
state wide prohibition is absolutely
hostile to democratic principles if you
say no. then l ask. What sort OF a
democrat are you not to believe in
states rights?'
My brother, you are right now up
tree
Second. you say you are sorry it
is most deplorable that the prohibit
tion question has been injected into
the gubernatorial campaign Now, il
Ii so happens that the Hon b. B. CO.
ture with him so as to make a state
wide law and carry and enforce that
law for prohibition, VIII you then still
think the question settled and .be
satisfied for 1t to be settled and still
'deplore' the fact that some one want
ed to-again 'agitate' the people on that
question:?
"As a voter and as one who feels
1t his duty TO help educate his broth
ers on the subject, l hope for reply
from you.
Yours most truly for Alabama sue
cess o. p, SPIEGEL"
July %, 1913.
Mr.. Wallace Replies
"Sir-Upon my return from north
Alabama | find your letter of July 23
on my desk. In response to your in
sterrogations based on statements con-
tanned in my address for The Max
ig of Greater Alabama, in which |
assert that state wide prohibition is
absolutely hostile to democratic prin-
ciples because 1t annihilates the right
of local lf-government permit me to
state:
q. That states rights within the mean.
Ing of the law as well as common par
lance means that the state shall have
right to legislate upon all local
questions without federal interference
States rights means home rule
Inc lHposSlDlllty OF SuppreSSing the
sale of liquor unless the people of a
community favor prohibition has been
incontestibly demonstrated not only
In Alabama, where the prohibition
law was openly and notoriously vio-
lated. but in other states, notably
Georgia and Tennessee. / am su1(
that your erroneous conception of the
meaning of states rights caused you
to PROFOUND your first question.
"Responding to your second uues-
ton, permit me to state that no ques-
tion is ever settled unless it is settled
right Should Mr.. Conner be elected
governor and should the legislature
enact a statewide prohibition law and
the sale of spurious. vinous and malt
liquors. within sthe borders of Ala
bama be absolutely stopped and should
blind tigers not flourish as they did
under Mr.. Comer's former administra-
tion when whiskey was sold on every
hand to minors and even TO little boys
l would construe that beatific state
had been attained in Alabama and
would be the last one to raise my
voice for local option. But on the other
hand, should an intolerable state of an
archy prevail, brought about by dis
respect of a state wide prohibition law
caused from its nom enforcement, which
likewise would bring all laws into dis
repute. / would be in the vanguard of
sensible men who dove the state, who
glory. in its strength, to so regulate
the sale OF liquor that the least pos
sible harm to humanity might arise
from such SALE
with great respect remain, very
John H. wALl4AcE JR
~Mr. O. P. Spiegel Montgomery. AlR,
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T.