Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-16
Governor Here, Predicts Erad-,
iCatiOn of Whisky in Another
Generation - Thinks We
Should Have Fought Ger
many Before

Sidney J. Cats. rIorIda preacher
governor, after elUding an interview
for six hours Thursday, was finally cor
nered in the LOBBY of the Hotel Ansley
at noon. and stopped between engage
ments long enough to tell a journal
reporter that Florida would be as dry
as the Sahara in the course of a year;
that he was i'm favor of war, and that
before he got out of the governors
chair Florida would be free of corrupt
officials.
Governor Cats is a tall. robust fight
ing Irishman. One Of his eyes is gone,
but the other, a big blue one, set deep
ly back in his head. flashes fire as he
talks. Governor Cats is the picture of
health.
We will pass a statewide prohibit
ton measure at the Next legislature
and make Florida as dray as any state
in the country" ne answered in re-
Spouse to a query, and although we
will have TO fight 10 accomplish it, it's
going to be done, and quickly, too.
We have in Florida now all of the
whisky men of Georgia and Alabama, in
there when Georgia and Alabama went
dry, and we will have a stiff night on
our hands in bucking them.
FLORIDA is a big tourist state, but
hardly think that the passage of a
bone-dry bill such as is contemplated
will affect that to any marked degree.
If it does, Florida doesn't want the
tourists.
WHISKY is DOOMED.
How long governor, do you think it
will take to completely eradicate whis
ky from the country, so that people Will
not crave it as they do now?" was shot
at him.
Il hardly think it will take as long as
it has taken to instill the desire for
strong drink into them" he replied,
land in the course of a generation or
so whisky will be relic of the past in
this country, and the United States will
be bone-dry from one end to another"
The conversation branched off here to
threatened war, and the governor
stated that America should have been
in the war two years ago.
The sinking of the Lusitania should
have been the overt act, and right there
we should have gotten into the war.
American rights were defended at Val
ley Forge, and why shouldn't they be
defended now?'
However" continued the governor.
president Wilson is a wise man, and
whatever he does will be just. l have
confidence in his ability to
handle the situation in a capable man
ner, and whatever he does will be the
right and only step"
Governor Cats declared that he was
glad the United States senate passed
the immigration bill. and that foreign |
ers coming into this country should be |
competent to make good
citizens.
LOOKOUT. BOYS.
Florida officials who are found to be
negligent in the discharge of their duty
will be executed. that is. officially fired,
just as fast as they are discovered, and
whether they are pro-Catts or anti-Catts
men. ] intend to have the Florida gov
as honest and straightforward |
as il is my power to make it, and l !
shall continue to chop off the heads of
the corrupt and inefficient ones, Just as |
fast as l can, or until the legislature
sees fit to put me out of office, or my
term expires.
II was elected on a pro-Americanism.
and clean government for
Florida platform, and that's what l in |
tend TO see these accomplished"
With these remarks, the governor ex-
cused himself to attend a luncheon.
Governor Cats came to Atlanta to |
make two addresses Thursday night he |
will address the Baptist laymen at the |
First Baptist church on Religion and |
Good Government" and Friday night at
the Baptist Tabernacle he will speak on
How / Was Elected Governor and What
I Intend to Do" There will be %
cents admission fee charged to the lee
ture Friday night.