An editorial from The Worth County Local, Jan. 15, 1909

The Sale of Whiskey

The legal sale of whiskey is rapidly being barred. Alabama has a state wide prohibition law. Tennessee has just passed a state law. The sentiment against the legalized sale of whiskey is rapidly increasing.

The wonder is that it has been allowed as long as it has. If a man curses or abuses another he is guilty of a crime, but in some states he can sell him whiskey, which is a greater crime, with impunity.

The liquor forces argue that people will have it any way and a state might as well have the revenue. True it will never be entirely prohibited, neither will stealing, arson or any other crime be entirely prohibited. Why not license any crime?

The man that says that the Georgia prohibition law has not decreased drunkenness can't or won't see. Any railroad conductor, police magistrate or court record will testify that drunkenness in Georgia has been decreased at least half.

The people of Worth county can remember that in 1907, that on their return from Albany it was hardly safe to go back into the smoking car, and this year you never see a drunken man on the train. Now it is safe for a lady to travel unattended anywhere in Georgia: It was not so in 1907.

The stronger the prohibition law the better it is for the citizens of any state.