Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-18
PROHIsrrIoN DHscUssED.

PROHl01TION D1DCUSSED.
Argumsnss Dssers shs ssnass Dassrics
Committee To.Day.
ADVOCATES AND oProMxxD or I'm surpnnusoN or
TEE LIQuoR TRAFFIC M TaD err egvxN A nHAR-
Ne-TnB connrTIB LlSfnNs 70 LIVELY DIS
CUSTOM, BUT TAKE NJ ACTION.
Even before the hour appointed for the hearing
pro and con on the Platr btl to prohibit the man
ufacture and sale OF Intoxicating liquors in the
District, this morning, the room OF the Senate
District committee was crowded, the larger pro-
portion Of the assemblage being ladies' with a
gallantry characteristic OF Americanism, the
chairs were surrendered to the ladies' the men
standing up.
Senator Ingalls presided, and on his left sat Sem
rated rom his colleagues BY two Of the LADY proni-
bittonists who occupied seats at the committee
table, Senator Farley, leaning in an attitude Of
entered after the hearing had begun, ard pressing
his way through the crowd that filled the room from
The 70 the committee liable succeeded in
chairman, at the head Of the table.
SENATOR PLATT's OPENING RRMARKa
Senator Plat opened the hearing for the pro-
hibitlonists with the statement that be was the
author OF the bill to be discussed He had intro
offered the best remedy for the evil ne had in
tended 70 make An argument tor the bill, but was
called elsewhere.
MRS. BITTENBANDBR's ARGUMENT FOR PROHIBITION.
Mira La Fetra then presented Mrs. Bittenbander,
OF Nebraska, who represented the Womans Chris
In her opening remarks she defined the pend
ing question as case that was to be decided, and
istsNas "t6e defendants" She SPOKE in ou clear
tone and with spirit OF self-conndence.
QUOTING SENATOR INGALLS,.
Miss Bittenbander, as part Of her argument,
read an article on the subject Of prohibition,
written by Senator Ingalls,, and which appeared
set forth the merits and the effects OF prohibition
as exemplfned in Kansas In that article the Sena-
tor asserted that not single dram-shop was open
In Kansas from the Missouri to Colorado; that
while Liquor was clandestinely conveyed into the
state the condition Of the people OF Kansas was
6 MSSn more pfosperous; they were more conente
disasters had resulted from prohibition. The read.
Ing OF this very emphatic Endorsement Of prohibl-
the ladies' present, and the lady speaker thanked
the Senator Tor the aid ne had thus given the
At the conclusion of Mrs. Bittenbanders re-
marks Mrs La Fetra stated that they had ex-
pected to introduce Mrs Margaret A. Weaver,
superintendent OF the local legislative committee,
written argument In her name was granted.
Mr. MOULToN's ARGUMENT.
Mr.. II. B. Moulton was next introduced by the
prohibittonists He suggested that. as the time
allotted for the hearing had been equally divided
between the two parties, the prohibitionsts ought
to have an opportunity 70 respond TO the argu-
ments OF the opposition.
"Tnis IS hot debate. judge" replied the chair
man. ut Is hearing for the presentation Of
argument"
Mr.. Moulton, after speaking Of the beauty Of
Washington, Its many attractions, &C, set forth
saying that II the saloon was q bensnt to the COM
munity then It's advocates ought to be here TO
demonstrate its Denefcent effects Mr. Moulton
next submitted the statistics heretofore made pub
lie by the WOmen's Christian Temperance Union.
He presented figures to show that In the la, f1ve
years the increase OF population In the District had
been ID per cent, while the increase Of liquor busi-
ness mad been 40 per cent. He gave figures to
show an enormous yearly increase In youthful
ton between