Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-31

public opinion upon any question has reached
that stage when il finds expression IN the
majority in both houses Of the Legislature IL
is useless, impolitic and unpatriotic to disre-
gard IL. However much we may disagree as
to the efficiency or wisdom of The plan pro
posed by the submissionists, we cannot blind
ourselves TO the inevitable
Morrissey said: II had listened to the
amendment with great deal of interest.
We have the very laws to regulate the busi-
ness of any state ! don't stand here as an
apoloRist or agent OF the liquor traffic, but
you are proposing violent measure which
the state and keep out foreign
capital. TO adopt prohibition would
destroy millions of dollars in Omaha. |
think you should first vote upon the high
license amendment, and il that was lost,
then 1t would be in order TO submit the ques-
tion of prohibition.
AT this point the speaker moved the COM
mittee have leave to sit again to consider the
question in the morning A strong affirma-
tive vote was heard but it was lost in the
laundering noes of the submissionists.
The debate then continued. Dempster
arose and dcrrod that after the disgraceful
action of today it i'll becomes the gentleman
from Douglas TO talk Of fairness. This is not
a new question. IL has been before the peo-
pie for many years aud every member ought
to know it by this time. If there
is one let him go home. This amend
ment is not proposed in good faith. | don't
DelleNe Sucn Il
would be constituted. The people have not
asked for the submission Of this question of
high license. | am opposed to high license
and hope it will be voted down.
Baker did not think the discussion would
change single vote. "Those who argue so
strenuously against submission" SAID he,
''confound submission with prohibition The
simple question we have to decide is shall the
people who have demanded it have the right
to vote on this question: You who claim it
loot ln1l h ,f
property tacitly admit that the proposition
will carry if submitted. (Cheers) l be-
lieve it is the duty of the party to submit
this question, and every member not
bound hand and foot by instructions
pledge. This dual proposition commends
itself to my better Judgment and every argu-
ment that can be advanced in favor of sub
mitting prohibition applies with equal force
to this proposition. The question is not
whether prohibition has been success in
Kansas or any other state, but whether we
will give the people the right to express their
opinions at the ballot box. Omaha and Lin-
coin are not the whole state of Nebraska.
The rural districts have some rights as well
as the large cities, and their voices
should be heard
Gilchrist strongly supported the Cady
amendment. He said that the friends of pro-
hibiton should meet them half way and let
the people express their opinion on both of
these propositions.
Feldgrove was listened to with
marked attention. He declared that
the towns with their hummer element
should not rule the destines of the state;
party in favor of submitting this great ques-
tion to the people, and appealed to Cady to
withdraw his amendment
Ballard thought the prohibitory amend
ment should be submitted separatcle, that
the party had pledged its honor that it would
n
am IN favor of senate file 81" said he, land
opposed to the amendment"
Fenton favored the high license amend
ment.
Burnham was surprised at the amendment
Of Mr., Cady and did not think it could be
submitted in a dual form. 'We must meet
this ISSUE" he continued, land let us meet
1t fairly. The republican party has not
pledged itself to submit not high license, but
prohibition, and let US not seek to evade this
pie. The voters, not only of
Nebraska, but also of the whole nation, have
their eyes turned upon this issue, and await
the issue of our deliberations with the great
est interest,"
Gilbert said: 81 came from a county
york; where saloons do not exist, and
could not be true to my constituents and vote
for this amendment. The people have not
demanded it, and it is being used as a subter-
fuge to defeat the submisslod bill"
1 Olmstead declared himself in favor OF
prohibition as moral question, and if it
could be submitted in non-partisan manner
he would vote for submission and also for
prohibition, and help enforce the law, He
thought that the members could advance
the cause of temperance by setting a good
example and advised them to wholly alb
stain from liquor-;.u ,east during che ses5ian
of the legislature. The submission plank was
not carried overwhelmingly in the state con
ventlon, but only by small majority after
a most stubborn fight. The party cannot af-
ford to take up this question now as parti-
san issue. Prohibition would seriously Grip
pie the school fund of the state.
Whitehead argued that the party, in order
to preserve its life, must take upthis question
and that the great IN oral forces of the coun
try would crystalline aroune the party if it
dared to do right, and make 1t stronger than
ever. He said Nebraska was now a recep-
tacle for ali the bad elements of Iowa and
Kansas, and III 5 high time that something
was done to keep out tn ese Classes.
Everett opposed the amendment also, but
would vote on separate bills embodying the
views of both sides.
MorIissey got the floor again and was loudly
Kissed. He declared that he left Iowa on
account of the wlthery blight of prohibition
and did not want TO see it adopted in this
state.
Hall asked him if he would agree to leave
Nebraska If prohibition was adopted.
Morrissey answered that he would do so if
necessary to escape the company of prohibi-
ton CrankS.
Baker again took the floor aud strongly
favored the dual plan
Johnson Vehemently asserted that that If
submission was defeated it would wreck
the republican party, This amendment Is
a mere subterfuge," he said, land l
shall not support IL. Defeat this question:
continued the speaker, land you republicans
who vote against IL will be barred beyond
hope of rCsurrection.h
Coemad, of Antelope. thought the ques-
tion was in politics, and could only be settled
by being left to the people.
Berlin made a strong plea against submis-
sion. He showed that the business interests
of The whole state would be greatly injured
by submission, and declared that II Omaha
must be cheered in its Onward career, give
us some other blizzard, tornadoes, anything
almost except prohibition
Sergeant Of Custer spoke in q Sunday
school strain, and asserted that all good
people were on one side and all the money
on the other-a remark that was loudly APP
plaudCd.
Cody spoke still further in defense Of his
and answered the objections
urged against the constitutionality of the
law by stating that he had consulted an emf
nent iurst and he had given his opinion that
the propositions could both be submitted to-
gether.
The high license amendment was put and
lost by vote of 81 TO 40, and the committee
arose, and after some political by-play, re-
that the submission bill do pass.
tAat .H N,a .yl,.. a a.