New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-22
THE COUNTY OPTION HIGH LICENSE BILL
PASSED BY THE A SEMBLY


THE MEASURE AND Tw" DEMOCRATS FOR 1T.
TRrNTOv Feb. 81 Especial. ne Assembly to-
day passed the County Option-IIigb License bill
by a vote OF "a to 20, and the measure Is now in
the possession Of the Senate The proceedings
were conducted with expedition and energy, and
the result met every expectation.
The bill was brought up on second reading In
the morning and Mr.. McDermitt on the part OF
the Democrats, mildly suggested delay. This was
as mildly declined, and an amendment making the
county option cause provide that the vote should
be against license and should not prohibit the
manufacture of liquor was adopted on motion OF
the chairman of the caucus. Some verbal changes
were also made and then Mr.. McDermitt offered
an amendment for township option instead OF
county option lie advocated this rs an improve
ment on the system, but it was defeated ana an
effort to expunge the second section OF the oii'
was similarly unsuccessful. Mr. McDermitt then
attacked the principle OF the measure decArins
that it would ruin the Republican party, whereat
Mr. Goble (Rep) ntimatcd that this was not
sufficient cause for the fierce opposition OF BIC
Dermitt and the other Democrats.
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed and
have third reading The vote on the second
reading was 80 to %, Dusenbcry, Losier Christie,
Lett and Leavitt Reps voting in the negative
with the Democrats. The vote was closer than
was anticipated and caused some slight alarm Tor
the fate Of The bill. The noon hour was occupied
with the engrossment OF the bill, and when the
House met at o'clock a careful canvass was
made. 1t was found that the Republican ranks
stood firm and that there was prospect OF n
little Democratic assistance. call of the House
was ordered, and it sscertained that Ludlow,
Smalley and Reilly tDcms.) were absent. They
were sent for, and the bill was brought up.
Mr. Dusenberry IL p) made a general protest
against the local option feature, and then MI.
McDermtt DEM took the floor lie did noe
approve the BILL because it was IN hs OPINION
unconstitutional. He gave friendly warning
that the h pubCans would suner teariuuy rom ~
Mr. Hill tRepJ said the bill had been prepared
and passed upon by some Of the most distinguished
lawyers in the State. 1t would, he believed, o,a
the test Of appeal, and its advocates were pre-,
pared to submit it to the test OF Democratic
Governors veto and the decision Of Democratic
judg of the Supreme Court ., e.. .,o
Mr. Gobe usep:l made a brief appeal for the
bill and then Mr. Rogers tRcp), without, however,
the authority of the caucus moved the previous
question 1t was ordered, and the vote was then
talSen-3i 70 26. In thc alrm,tlye were thirty
two Republicans and Ludlow and Smalley " msb
VIII lie the negative de was made up OF twenty
one Democrats and Dusenberry Let's, Chrisue'
LOscr and Leavtt tRcps.).
Loud app ause greeted the announcement OF the
result and there was general Misunderstanding OF
Republicans Mr.. Hill (Rap) immediately moved
TO reconsider the vote, to cilnch the matter
McDermitt and Matthew's Dems) protested
against what they called the gag law and MT
River RopJ made sharp speech in reply, rldl-
cu1ing the assumpt ons Cf til 50 leaders Inc re-
consideration was refused by the same vote, ana
the bill having thus been released. was taken
immrdi atcly to the Senate and referred to the
Indie ary Committee. Chairman Gr'ggs, OF the
committee, said it would be reported without
amendment tomorrow and would probably be
PASSED at once. Under these circnmst ances IL
Hwould reach the Governor on Thursday, and he
would he compelled TO act upon it before the
Wcdnc sday following. 1t is expected that he wil
veto the bill and it is said that ex' Governor ADJ
bctt is preparing brief against It, Inc Veto
would be Overrdden at once, and the blll wouid
thus be made law within ten days OF this time.
! The feeling among Republicans here Is al oil
| mututl satisfaction The passage oil the Dill Dy
| Senate has always been regarded as matter OF
course, but there ls been doubt from the hTst 10
| the last concerning the action OF the House.
The Assembly to-day adopted "a concurrent reso-
| luton introduced by Mr. Pittney directing an IN
vest - ton of the reports concerning the manage
! ment of the Morris Plains Lnnatic Asylum. three
/ Senators ind five Assemblymen are to do the Work
! if the Senate also adopts the resolution
The Senate Committee on Agriculture gave
hearing to-day to a large delegation from South
| Jersey who want amendments made to the present
| milk law. ..;xo
| tn Governor sent in the following nominations
| TO the Senate: For Lay Judge of Camden county
| Thamas w Mcdowell; for Lay Judge OF warren
| County Silas w. Dewitt. The Senate connfmed
| the nominations of J. NJ Vannaler, Lay Judge oil
| Bergen: Joseph Carter, Lay Judge OF gloucester
and J. A. Miller, jr, District Court Judge Of
| Newark