The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-02-17
The Disc ussion Of sise rrOlibi-
ton A md e N d Emenf and AIS be-
feat.

4 the resolution proposing 2 pfOhlbi
/ tion amendment TO the Constitution
Of the State. The resolution, it will
be remembered, passed the House o.
| Delegates by considerable number
/ Of votes more than the necessary two
thirds. It's supporters felt quite san
guine Of a similar majority in the up
per House, and will be much disap
pointed by the Senate's action, The
opposition to the measure has been
growing steadily and rapidly, and fol-
several days past its defeat has been
predicted by those thoroughly ac-
quainted with the situation. The vote
on the proposed amendment was IL
in favor and IL against, three less
than the necessary twothirds The
ollowing are the proceedings:
Mr.. Byrne spoke at length again ST
the amendment. His speech was 4
logical and able effort, commanding
the close attention of his hearers
throughout. Space this morning pre-
vents us from giving a complete syn
opsis Of the speech as we wonld like
! to do.
Mr.. Smith, of Tyler, and Nh. Daw-
son favored the amendment in brief
addresses.
Mr. Farnsworth said: We have
had great discussions here, which
have taken in from the sun down
through the stars to the cess pools OF
stable. The question is upon the
adoption Of the resolution. We will
compare this resolution with the con
stitution as it is. to see which is the
better Of the two. Mr.. Farnsworth
here read the present constitutional
provision and the proposed amend
ment) Now, the proposition is, shall
the amendment be agreed to. 1t is
not the manner in which you will
conduct temperance society or the
business Of a church or the proper
conduct for our fair, good ladies,
that is not the question before this
body as | understand it. The ques-
ton is whether we strike out the
present 4Gth section and insert the
one proposed. We read the manu-
facture, sale and keeping for sale Of
Intoxicating liquor, mixed drinks
and preparations to he used as a bever-
age are forever prohibited, and the
Legislature shall without delay pro
vide for the proper legislation to the
due enforcement thereof Now, is
that better clause than the present
one? If it is, then it seems plain to
me the Senate should agree to it and
strike the other cut. According to
the present section, laws may be
passed regulating or prohibiting the
sale ofliquors within the State limits.
Now there is a plain clause authoriz-
ing the Legislature to act. Now will
this amendment prohibit? Is it not
a snare which will entrench liquor
men in our midst as long rs the
constitution exists, enabling them to
deal out whisky under the cloak Of
the law? | contend if adopted, this
will not prohibit. You see that word
beverage is all they rely on, That
word beverage can be disposed Of in
various ways. The whole human
family is diseased. They need not
take it as beverage, but as medi-
cine. 1t says futher that the Legis
lature shall without delay provide
legislation.
Now, the present constitution pro
vides that the Legislature may pass
positive laws regulating or prohibit
ing the traffic. Ought we to put in
the constitution what | consider
meaningless clause; q clause so finely
wrought that lawyers would differ as
to its meaning and intent, and strike
out plain clause which no one
could misunderstood? Mr. Presi-
dent, | have said would favor the
submission of the amendment, and /
have honestly and carefully com
pared these two propositions, and /
cannot get the consent Of my mind
to srike out that and insert this. ]
cannot, honestly get the consent of
my conscience to do it, | believe
the people, if they understood the
propositions, if they had both before
them, would prefer the constitution
as it is to this meaningless amend
ment, which would only bring trouble
and confusion into our State.
Mr.. Scott, of Ohio county, opposed
the amendment.
The ayes and noes being called
the bill was defeated by vote Of II
to l5.
Messrs. Barbee, Burgess, Cobun,
Dawson, Harvey, Hays, Hostutler,
Lobban, Maxwell, McGrew, Roberts,
Samples, Smith, OF Marion, Smith, of
Tyler, and woodward voting in the
affirmative, and Messrs. Byrne, Davi-
son, Floyd, Donehoo, Melvin, Scott.
Stollings, Vanmeter, Mcneil. Price
and the President, Farnsworth, in the
negative.
MOUNT UNION COLLEGE.
Distinctive Fea,ures-Especiallyf for Teach