Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-02-07
PROHIBITION.
Senatorial Eloquencs on the NhIs-
ky Question.
Mr.. Price Repels the Attack Mads by
Temperance Advocates Upon
the Opponents of
the Bill.
Mr.. SMITH DEFENDS THE MEASURE.

y
hibition amendment came up on its secont
reading in the West Virginia Senate. Fo
half an hour previous a sea OF interested
faces in gallery and lobby were directed to
wards the lobby of the Senate eagerly an
ticipating the first movements towards the
coming discussion. On motion OF Mr.. Daw
son the question was taken up.
Mr.. Price moved to strike out the enact
ing clause and insert in lieu thereof the fol
lowing:
ReSolred, By the Legislature of West Yir
ginia that the following amendment to ar
ticle of the constitution having been read
on three several days in each House, as
agreed to on the third reading, two.third:
Of the members of each House so agreeing
etc.
In support of his amendment
MIR. Price spoke rs Follows:
supposed, Mr.. President, when intro.
d1ced this amendment, that il would be
opposed, and am aware, sir, in opposing
the adoption of the prohibition resolution,
those of us who differ from the members OF
this legislature who seem determined il
they possibly can, to force this amend.
ment upon the people of West Virginia, |
say am aware that in opposing this amend.
ment, the adoption of this resolution by
this legislature, that we subject ourselves
10 criticism from certain quarters: and
am aware that the attempt has been made
through this State and has been made in
this legislature 10 place those of us who op-
pose this resolution in false position, and
in position which is unfair TO the oppo.
nents of this resolution. Whilst | would
be perfectly willing with the gentlemen
who have addressed the chair, that this
amendment should be put to a vote, aud
either adspted or rejscted without discus.
sion, yet, sir, think il is due to myself,
il Is due TO the constituents whom | repre-
sent. it Is due to those who hold like we VS.
with me, that Ne should at least not allow
ourselves TO be placed in the
FaIse Position.
in which the attempt has been made To
place Us, but 10 defend our position and il
possible TO show that all the virtue. and all
the morality ard all the religion, and all
respect for law Is not upon the side OF those
who are advocating this amendment. Now,
sir, il has been boldly said, that no man,
who is Christian man can be opposed to
this resolution. And, sirs, in the State OF
West Virginia, and in other States Of this
Union, a measure like this is held up as
the test of Christianity, and the man, who
does not vote for il or agree to it is set
down, sirs, as no Christian, whisky man,
a II, all leagued with the worst elements in
society, as a man entitled only TO the con-
domination of the State. You know, Mr..
President. that that is the talk, that those
are the uitera7 ces and that such argu.
merts as these are the main weapons used
by the
ADV OcatcS OF this Measure
to drive men who have independence Of
thought and indepcdence Of action into
supporting this resolution, by attempting
TO array them with the worst elements in
society and as against the best interests of
the people. Now, sir, ! want for one to
enter my protest against this sort Of thing
] want 10 say that whilst there are many
better Christians in the State OF West FIr.
gina ilan am, and whilst those who ad.
vcCatr this measure are, ns far as know, n
great many OF them, good, | believe, sir,
that - hen the people Of West Virginia come
to CUrsIder this question in all its lights,
when they look al it as it ought TO be look.
ed Of. ;Iat the real hearty Christianity Of
the Sate will say we are right in opposing
this measure, and that ii Is contrary 10 the
very genius OF the Church Of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Now, sir, before ! discuss that
su'stian further, desire 10 address my self
IT, the question presented by the amend
n.er.t which have offered.
During the Campaign
il vas urged upon those who were nomi-
naied for the Legislature and upon the
nominating convention, which assembled
to s-nd delegates To this Legislative body,
that although a man might in his own
Al -.1..a.
tina, he could agree TO submit the question
10 Tie vote OF the people. and let the peO-
pie decide, that he could 20 40 far az 10
cone here and vote in favor Of this amend.
me- u IN the Legislature. aud then go home
ana vote against II and work against it,
Nl.ru II CaIue TO an election. Now, / do
not ~ interpret the constitution aud do
nur 80 understand the reason for the cpG-
stfIuIiOn. The Old constitution Of this
Sta'e provided any amendment 10 the con-
stliuiiun Of the State may be proposed in
ei'' -r hranch uf the Legislature and il the
sunc being read on three several days in
eavn branch. he agreed 10 on its third read.
inp Icy ma juriiy Of the members elected
thereto
abe PrnpoSrd Amendments
with The yeas and noes thereon shall be
entered on the journal and referred - the
LEGISLATURE on the first session held after
the next general election. Now Mr.. Presi-
dent. YOU will see that under the former
constitution of this State, in adopting an
anpndment to the constitution you had to
have two legislatures, IL provided IL the
majority Of the first begislas asure were in
favor of 10 land thew bad TO be in favor OF 1t
to vote fcr It, they bad 10 believe in il, to
vote for it,, fthe majority o{ the members
OF he legislature vote for il then IL should
90 over to another Legislature, SHOULD be
published in the rnea1time, then IL agreed
To during the SESSION of the Subsequent
Legislature by the ma ajority Of the members
eleCied 10 each branch, the Legislature
should submit it To the p9Ople. Now what
amendments To- the constitution OF our
Strts IRE not to be submitted without great
cauiion, deliberatiOn and discussion. Not
only that, but
EiShows Th h Fact,
that il is not the people alone who are 10
ehanFc the constitution Of the State by q
popular vote 1t was never 50 intended by
DE trainers OF this constitution, or any
other that know OF, that the people were
to amend their constitution merely by Q
popular vote. Il is not the spirit OF oCr
government. ours is not a Democracy
such as that in the time OF ancient Greece
when all the people assembled together zoc
all the people vosed upon every question
which came before them. That is not oul
kind Of government. Onrs is a representa-
tive government, and every delegate. elect
ed to the legislature acts according " hi
Judgment We have 10 decide first pa thi
matter. Thus speaks the old cons titution
sad the new one is in the same limo
The Question IL Tsiis:
20 YOU agree to this amendm sat1' Y0l
cannot say, ] do not sgree TO IL. but NiI
let the people vote upon it. Sou canno
shirk IL that way. The spirit CE oar COZ
s,ituticu does not intend that. l. shonld b
adopted in any such way, brit the member
Of the Legislature must agree to IL tir.
emselves-two-thirds OF them. Wny
sirs, was it made necessary for tuo-third
If your part is only 10 submit to the De-
pier Why did it say two thirds?' BecaTss
vas intended that the Representative rae
Of the State assembled ih-Solemn q legisl.iiy
capacity should themselves frs. appr1y
the measure, and if the3 did not sSpros
of il, then it was not - be voxei npou b
| the PEOPLE. We all iaux what ihis chin
/ of populaI voting is We all know yh;