Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/523

 MUNICIPAL REVIEW, 1908-1909 509

organization" knew just what it wanted, and held its forces in line.

Last year a state-wide prohibition law was passed by the Alabama legislature; and a few months ago another state-wide bill, more drastic than the former, was passed ; but on Novem- ber 29 the state election was held to decide whether state-wide prohibition should be incorporated in the state constitution. The voters defeated the proposition. This sentiment of opposition is especially strong in Mobile, one of the larger communities, it being the opinion of a large majority of citizens that high license, restricted districts, and limitations upon the number of saloons is a solution of the liquor problem. A careful corre- spondent says:

I am satisfied that the prohibition law in Mobile has so far been a fail- ure. The governor is strongly in favor of state-wide prohibition, and has appointed a sheriff and state solicitor in this county who are pledged to exercise every effort to enforce the prohibition law. But notwithstanding the crusade which is being made, the laws are not being enforced, and can not be, in my judgment, so long as public sentiment is in conflict therewith. Raids are being frequently made on blind tigers; liquors are being seized in various places in the city, as well as in wagons conveying liquor from the depot and other places; but there is still a large amount of public drunkenness, and the laws are being secretly violated.

New Orleans reports that the machine government is in con- trol of the administration, but that it is much better than usual.

Two severe defeats by citizens' reform movements have taught the machine some caution. The mayor is a very ambitious man, and has sense. It also put in a young district attorney of intelligence and ambition; so that two very important places are quite well filled.

At the last city election in Galveston a judge of the civil district court was elected mayor, in place of H. A. Landes, a member of the commission from the time of its inauguration eight years ago, although the other commissioners were re- elected. Mayor Landes, a retired business man of considerable means, was generally considered to be one of the best citizens of Galveston. He had resided in the city for many years, had been a member of the school board and a director in a large number of leading financial institutions. Notwithstanding these