The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-17

served by the states should be. at all
 hazards. retained and exercised by them,
 and I am utterly opposed to any further
 centralization of power in the federal government.
 EIGHTEENTH AMENDMENT I opposed the Eighteenth amendment
 because I believed it unnecessary-un
 necessary because the states already had full, complete and plenary power to out
 law the liquor traffic-to prevent its manufacture, sale transportation or use
 as a beverage. While the question of rati- fication was pending, the most eminent
 legal authorities in the country declared that the states had absolute power 70
 prohibit the liquor traffic and that no federal amendment was necessary. I op- posed the amendment because, being un- necessary, it was useless and could only tend to impair the dignity and lessen
 respect for our fundamental law. l op-
 posed it because it degraded the con
 stitution of the United States by making it the depository of a mere police regula- ton or legislative enactment. I opposed it because it struck a vital blow at the
 principle of local government, and because it's purpose was to coerce states that denied the efficacy of prohibition to secure control of their domestic affairs and the habits of their people, regard i it because the people were denied any
 direct voice in its ratification or rejec- tion. Congress could have authorized the amendment to have been submitted ito conventions in the several states under the provisions of the constitution; yet
 the Anti-Saloon League, which has all ways dstrusted the popular vote, and which dominated the Congress, forced that body to submit ratification to legis-
 -A T 1-c. t|a rNnn pie. I opposed it because its submission was forced when millions of the flower of American manhood were fighting some where in France, or upon the high seas, to make the world safe for democracy,
 and were denied any participation or voice in it's decision, I opposed 1t be-
 cause the Anti-Saloon League, through it's influence over the state committee denied to the people of Alabama any
 direct voice in it's ratification or reJec- tion. and because however. mistaken the policy of national prohibition might pc discovered by actual experience and triai to be and however, strong might pc the desire of the majority of the. states III the future to break the prohibition Sohc' it's adoption was so riveted down in the constitution as to make it practically u'i- changeable.
 was as anxious as any man to promote
 
 ple. to discourage the use of strong drink to abolish the saloon and it's ao. mitted evils. yet I believed that all ol these purposes could have been procure' by the action of the separate states or os Congress. without invading the reserVeu rights of the states and changms tno very structure of our institutions. W Wnno believed. and still believe, thal .ne adontion of the Eighteenth amendmeh.
 lfcl,f me Of movement
 ,,hioh tboueh sincere and well inten- tio,,ad was opposed to the doctrines ol tbe damocratic party and evasiVe or ,n1 constitutional rights which we ih,.e ihher,.eu frono o,,r fathers I recognize the iutiiiIS of any attempt to repeal 1t.
 The eighteenth amendment is l
 a mart of the constitution ana II shoulu be enforced efficiently, put hoe " nrassiveIy. just as other federal laws
 are enforced. and enforced by the of ficers and agents of the federal gov ernment. and not by the salarled oIli- cers of any private organization. The strong and growing revolt and the rising tide of reaction so evident throughout the country, IS not dlrecteu so much against the eighteenth ahehu ment as it's enforcement. The people of the country had generally become convinced that the saloon was an evil and against its suppression there has been little protest, It was also felt that the suppression of strong drink and the substitution of light wines and beer would be a distinct advance in
 promoting the cause of temperance. The American saloon had "sinned away it's day of grace" and I do not believe public sentiment would tolerate it's restoration,
 THE. VOLSpEAD ACT
 She Volstead act. as drafted by the paid attorneys of the AntiSaloon league and enacted by congress through
 the dominating influence of that pow
 erful organization, has created storm
 of public resentment and opposition
 which is daily increasing and growing
 in strength everywhere. This act is force bill" of the eighteenth amend ment and it embodies all of the in-
 iquities which has made the very words
 force bill" an abomnation to the peo- pie of Alabama. This force bill' has
 done more to bring the eighteenth amendment into contempt than any law ever enacted by congress. With the disregard of law it invites. with it's oppressive and bigoted interpretation and enforcement of the prohibition am endment, it Is certain to become a source of unparalleled bribery, corrup- tion and tyranny. With it's radical and despotic provisions, it's fragrant dis regard of state and local sentiment, It's contemptuous trampling under foot of sacred guarantees of personal and property rights, and it's absurd attempt to declare that any beverage contain ing more than <one-half of 1 per cent
 is intoxicating. has already won for