The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-07-31

other Such an assumption is not only
untrue, but is so monstrously false that
it is amazing that men can be found to
discuss the question solely 4rom that
standpoint.
The contention that the members OF
Congress should abandon their individ-
ual responsibility on this subject under
the idea that they can shift that re-
sponsihility to the shoulders of the peo-
pie in the several states is so subyersiye
OF the spirit Of representative govern
ment in relation to the most solemn re-
sponsibility that the constitution itself
places upon the members of this body
that 1t Is difficult for my mind to grasp
the viewpoint of those who believe they
have the right 10 abandon their per-
sonal and representative responsibility
to the legislatures of states which may
or may not voice the sentiments of their
constituencies.
The police power is inherent in the
states. 1t was reserved to them when
the constitution of the United States
was adopted and is necessary to their
existence as organized governments.
| do not see how 1t can be maintained
in its sovereign integrity when it is pro-
posed to abandon 1t in part, 1t cannot
be contended that there is an excuse for
the adoption of this amendment because
the laws OF the federal government pre-
vent the states from exercising full and
complete control over the question of
prohibition of the manufacture and sale
Of alcoholic berevages in the several
states.
STATES GIVEN POWER
The Congress of the United States has
passed every law that the most extreme
prohibition advocate has demanded to
enable the states to enforce their laws
at home.
We not only have a federal statute
that prohibits the shipment of alcoholic
beverages into dry states, but we have
a recent enactment of the federal Con-
gress that under severe pains and pen
alties prohibits the shipment of liquor
into states where its sale is prohibited
even where the states statute did not
prevent the citizens of the state from
obtaining limited quantity of bever-
age alcohol from states where the manu-
facture and sale was not inhibited.
In my judgment, it is the part of Wis
dom to leave this question solely for the
determination of the states. The cause
of temperance can and will be satisfac-
torily regulated and advanced in this
way. The injection of the national po-
lice power into the homes of the people
will undoubtedly lead to an oppression
of our people and the overthrow of the
principles of government in which we
believe.
|, therefore, cannot support the
amendment. ] am not prepared to place
the consciences of the people in matters
moral and religious in the keeping of
government officials. free people will
be no longer able to exist if their per-
sonal affairs must be government by an
army of federal spies.
OPPOSED TO RESOLUTION
am willing to trust the people of Ala
bama to live moral and righteous lives.
| am confident that they will place on
the statute books of their own state all
laws necessary to protect their homes
against intemperance and immortality RI
do not believe for one moment it is nee
essary for the federal government 20
inject itself into the police jurisdiction
of the state of Alabama for the i'm
provement or the moral upbuilding of the
people OF my state and l am not willing
to reflect on the peoples of other states
by assuming that they are not equally
as capable and willing to maintain
honest laws. just conditions and temper
ate surroundings as are the people who
constitute my own constituency