Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-12
LEGISLATURE FACES
FIGHT FOR ABSOLUTE
BAN AGAINST LIQUOR
ProhibitiOniStS Expected to In
SiSt on Statute So Stringent
Mere Possession of Liquor
Will Be Illegal in Georgia

That the prohibitionists in the next
general assembly Will pat forth a strong
effort to amend the state prohibition
laws so as to ABSOLUTELY stop importa-
Ll,nS Of liquor Of all kinds and in any
quantity whatsoever into Georgia is TAX
en- for granted at the state capitol. Sew
eral prohi bition leaders in the legiSla-
ture have gone on record as declaring
hat a the event the constitutionality
OF The Webb-kenyOn law was upheld by
the United States supreme court they
would advocate a law which would not
only forbid the shipment of liquor into
Georgia, but would make it a misde-
meanor Cor a Eersons to have liquor in
his TossessioD.
In other words, so far as Georgia is
concerned, these leaders will exert them
selves to make the state absolutely dry.
In view Of a statement issued by Gov
ernor Harris Tuesday morning ii is taken
for granted that in his message to the
legislature next summer he will recon-
mend further stringent legis alton. in
his statement expressing qualification
over the decision of the United States SUI
preme court Monday when that tribunal
sustained the cOnstitutionality of the
Webb Kenyon law, the governor said.
1T is Ia be hoped that at the next
session Of the legislature the provision
allowing these individual shipments will
be either entirely repealed or the amount
materially reduced"
Seaborn Wright, of Rome, noted pro-
hibition leader, who headed the forces
that passed the original prohibition law
in 1908, who was in Atlanta Tuesday is
one of the representatives-elect from
Floyd county and will undoubtedly be
one of the prohibition leaders in the
next house.
He halls the supreme court decision
on the Webb-Kenyon law as meaning
revolution as regards liquor laws-as
meaning absolute prohibition in every
dry state"
The governors written statement,
handed to the newspaper men in the
executive offices Monday, follows:
Governor Harris today expressed
great satisfaction at the decision OF su-
preme court sustaining the Webb-ken-
Won ac- touching the interstate ship
ment Of LIQUOR. In the message which
ne sent to the last legislature (page 06)
he called attention to the broad pro-
vision allowed shipments TO individuals
and suggested to the legislature that
they restrict these shipments and cut
down the amount.
"Some of the senators and representa-
tives in conference with him declared
such action on the part of the leglsla-
ture might be declared unconstitutional
as mfr inging public liberty. The gov
ernor then called attention to the fact
thaS the restriction was, only on the
carriage affecting Interstate commerce
and not the private rights of the indi-
viduaI
THE very point that the governor sug-
gesied to the legislature has been sus-
taineI by the supreme court. The legis-
lation il West Virginia has been de-
clared valid, although it excluded all
shipments of eveE kind.
"Our own legislature consulted their
fears and woulG not act on the COVER
nor's sugge stion. although it then ap-
peared thar nearly so per cent of the
shipments were to colored consigneeS,
thus prescE tlng an aggravated menace
to our Teople. II is hoped that at the
next session of the legislature the pro-
vision allowing these shipments will
be either entirely repealed or the amount
materially reduced.
1.-THE prohibition cause seems to be
Streng thenlng Its steps in every direc-
zion 1t is GoW worldwide one and
has become a great economic question
affecting the very life of the state, so
that the government is taking steps to
save the people"