Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-04
A Wonder in Georgia

arid, if one is to judge by the word Of
all those who come in contact with the
camp. An expressman said he would
think it Just as safe for him personally
to indulge in homicide as to dabble in
the liquor business. l am told by
business men of Charlotte that bust
ness and courts see a great improve
ment since the state went dry-fewer
bad bills. more legitimate trade. less
crime. l think the boys are better of
here than in Massachusetts"
The Augusta (Ga) Chronicle gives
more extended and official proof Of the
benefits in another Southern dry"
state. 1t says:
Whether or not one is able to
agree that prohibition is right in
principle more and more men are
coming 10 agree that it is right in
policy That is to say, whether or not
prohibition is something of an inva-
sion of our social personal liberties
it more than makes UP for this by
what it adds to human happiness and
by what it contributes to the welfare
of society in general. Here is some
! striking and convincing proof Of this
right from our own local court rec
ords
"For the first time in the history Of
Richmond county, perhaps-at least,
as far back as local courthouse OIL
Gals have been able to search the rec
ords-a September grand jury has met
! and adjourned without having to con-
slider a single indictment for murder.
That's a fact; not a murder case be-
fore the last grand jury, nor any crime
Of a particularly violent nature.
What was the result? The GRIM
inal branch of the superior court met
and finished its business within few
days--a few assault and battery cases.
some simple larcenies and not much
else. Think of the saving to Rich
mond county in the matter of court
costs alone, if you are disposed to
take a dollars and cents view Of the
proposition. But think. also, of what it
meant for society; Of the orderliness
| of the community and the unhappineSs
that was spared many of it's people.
Three years ago the September
grand jury returned thirteen indict-
ments for murder; and, always, a
number of such indictments, then
whiskey was sold openly in Augusta,
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES our near prohibit
ton law.
Then people had some right to
scott at prohibition--if the laws we
then had could be so called-to ques-
ton it's effectiveness and, certainly to
condemn the hypocrisy Of it. But that
was the kind Of prohibition that the
whiskey interests-by putting their
hand into egislation-insisted on CIV
ing US.
1T is an entirely different story
when we have real prohibition: the
kind that real prohibitionists insist on
giving us. Not absolutely perfect, yet
perhaps-but enough to keep down
murder in this community to an ex-
tent never before heard of. And that
Is something gained.
But why do we insist on connect
ing whiskey with the murder docket of
our local court?
"For the answer to that question.
ask the prosecuting attorneys Of both
the superior and city courts. They
will tell you that in nine murder cases
out Of ten ever tried by them ~Fisksy
was at the bottom Of the crime. And
they will 90 further and tell you that
whiskey was at the bottom Of nearly
every Violent crime ever prosecu ted by
them. And all other court officers will
confirm the statement.
There may be some doubt about
the principle of prohibition; but there
can be none at all as to the policy Of
/ it.
| And il our court records, showing
! the dearth of murder cases and other
high crimes is not sufficient proof Of
this. then ask
THE landlord; whose rents are now
promptly paid.
THE merchant; whose trade has
increased in large proportion as the
| liquor trade has decreased
The banker; whose savings ac
counts tell the story of money no long
er wasted for drink.
The preacher and the physician:
who are in intimate touch with the
homes Of the people, and who know
what prohibition has done to make
thousands OF them happier and
! healthier
Leaving sentiment entirely out Of
1.-THE practical side Of prohibition
is the best argument in favor Of il, a.
nine men out Of every ten in Gsoraia
will tell you who used to think the
other way about it,"