The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-11
Means Political Imperialism Which Will Reduce State to Pork Barrel Methods
 for Existence
WONDERS HOW THE BRYAN" INVASION
 WILL BE RECEIVED
Shall We Indorse Combination of "Pacifism Against Germany and Imperialism Against Ameri
 can State System?" ss

f-r
 Forney Johnston yesterday ex- pressed the conviction that the fed eral prohibition amendment is "the overwhelming and paramount" issue In Alabama's political fight this year.
 In view of the prominence which has been given Mir. Johnston's name in connection with the race for gov ernor within the past few days, an amplification of his views on this subject will be read with interest all over the state.
 He contends that the movement behind this amendment means the be ginning of fiscal and political im- perialism, which will reduce the state tc pork barrel efforts for necessary local requirements. In . formal statement yesterday defining his at- titude, Mir. Johnston said:
 Tn view of the inference which might be drawn from recent interview. in which it seemed to be suggested that do not regard the federal amendment as of equal importance to state fiscal problems, permit me to express my views as to the approaching controversy It, tic specifically.
 T do not regard the federal amend ment as an incidental issue It is the overwhelming and paramount issue
 ''State finances can never be adjusted satisfactorily with states in process of | s rf. @-~- rk sa k. hao nd the end. If taxation is to be permanent fly diverted to distance national control 1t cannot be applied to local uses in accordance with exact local knowledge and sympathy.
 This county is so large; there are such radical differences in economic conditions, in habits of thought, educa- ton, racial and alien complications, in traditions and in every other essential to individual happiness and opportunity, that to subject contro! in these matters to the absentee psychology of & na- tional congress means the loss of the means and ability for self-government TO BECOME PERMANENT "The sacrifices for war, cheerfully sus- tained, are, it seems, to become the per- nanent status commissions, dictators, fuel administrators, and the whole witch's dance of lost motion which is the necessary result of the mobilization for war of a peaceful nation.
 This state Is now suffering for reve- nue for local uses which would never be supplied by Congress except through the pork barrel method of distribution, Birmingham has had recent experience in that method of appropriating public benefits. National administration of es- sentially national agencies Is economical and necessary. but national administra- t,on of essentially local agencies Is wasteful, oppressive, an incentive to log rolling and an intolerable interference with the principle of self lf-government. '.That principle is not a mere ancient shibboleth. It came 10 us, first, witf the separate charters of the American colonies, along with the principle of loca self-government which became possible | in England by reason of her insular posi- tion and navy. in contrast with the cen tral systems forced on the European states by the fear of war with powerful neighbors.
 FORCES OF INTIMIDATION {! If the other states proposed to force l licensed saloons or universal black sui | frage on Alabama by military invasion l or By constitutional amendment, the Ala | bamian who would not resent the inva- sion should be shot as traitor.
 If Alabama lends aid to the reverse ] of that proposition she joins the forces I of imperial intimidation against which ! we are now fighting to the last ditch. l ITO talk of this amendment being in l support of Alapana's rights, in helping | her enforce prohibitory laws, is not an | expression of intelligence or honesty | This amendment proposes to prevent l Alabama from authorizing any manufac' ture in her borders, in the home or other. wise, of cordials, or light wines. It at' tenapts to crystalize forever. in g | straight jacket of infexible prohibition | a subject that was and is in process ol l permanent solution in this and in othel l states. and throughout the world, along lines of enlightenment, conviction anc
 seif-reliant morality.
 Tt denies to many states the period of education and discussion, for whicf we are indebted to honest prohibtionfsts and plunges them into condition sfol
 which they are not prepared. over theil will and against their protest. To cal
 this in aid of the assertion of state:
 rights is in line with the devilish casuis
 try which is being employed In this pro |ceeding to bring about the disintegratior
 of the states. the permanent destruction
 of our tax system, the inauguration of th'
 pork barrel or beggar attitude for thu less wealthy and populous states; and
 with the inevitable universal suffrage
 hills and national primaries and direc
 elections which will ride into the consti
 tuition with this Trojan horse, the smaller
 states will be reduced to a position o provincial vassalage in which they vii
 look to foundations and charity for fh
 local self government to which they ar
 entitled as of right as free common wealths.
 4 NO POLITICAL CAMOUFLAGE
 f.From this know that it cannot be urged by any democrat that the fed eral amendment is not the ovsrwhelm-
 ing paramount issue before the people
 of Alabama. No legislative wolf se- cretly committed to the reasonable
 principle of the federal amendment
 should get by in sheep's clothing. and
 any candidate for an office who ex-
 presses his personal opposition to that
 amendment. but proposes to run his
 own race and let the federal amend-
 ment take care of itself,< should be
 chased with a citizen who is per-
 tr thr