Thomas County cat., 1890-06-05
FIGHTING.
Whisky and Beer Making a
Determined Fight.
The Wilson Bill Met by Threats Of
Political Death to Those Who Vote
for ft-Not in Partisan Shape as
Yet-ActIve Politics.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 28.-The senate
is considering the bill of Mr.. Wilson, of
Iowa. delegating in the several states the
authority to prevent the shipment of intoxi-
rants in "original packages" in violation of
state laws. The bill has already been dis
cussed at some length in the senate, and it
was agreed to vote upon the measure early
this week. There seemed at first in the SEN
ate to be very general sentiment in favor
Of the bill, and there is no doubt that it
would have been passed before this time had
it not been for the vigorous fight waged by
the liquor men. The National Brewers as
sociation just concluded its annual conven-
ton here, and has left lobby in Washington
to work against the the bill. The whisky
ring is also actively at work in opposition to
the measure, through its representatives,
delegated especially for that purpose. In
fact, the whisky lobby has not been so busily
occupied for some time as it is now. Not
only are the i-prhibitionists working
among the senators. but they are vigorously
canvassing the house in expectation of the
bill reaching that body. 1t has already been
introduced in the house. but has not been re-
ported. Probably no action will be taken IN
the lower body until after the measure passes
the senate Most of those senators whose
terms expires next March are in trepidation
over the matter. since the Liquor Dealers
and Beer Brewers association threaten to
carry the war into the respective campaigns
this fall. Senator Cameron seems especially
disturbed. and Senator Manderson is some
what uneasy. since there Is prohlb ition
fight in Nebraska, which cannot be settled
until fail. Senator Spooner is threatened by
both sides. The brewers are rather formida-
be in Wisconsin. and there is strong pro-
hibition element also III the state Which
ever way ne votes he Is bound to incur the
1ispieasure and opposition of an element
that may prove dangerous to his chances for
reelection.
Thus far the matter has not assumed an
exactly partisan share in the senate, since
there are members on each side who favor il.
There seem to be prohibItionists in both par
hes But even some OF the senators who are
not believers in prohibition do not consider
that this question alone is involved. They
believe that the prohibition of the sale and
traffic of intoxicating liquors comes within
the police powers of a state and Is entirely
constitutional. since the supreme court. IN
giving rise to the doubt, has suggested that
congress NAV delegate the necessary power.
Even some of the anti-prohibitlon senators
are inclined to act upon the suggestion. IN
der the existing conditions they fear that the
supreme court ruling may create disturbance,
not only in prohibition states, but IN local
option and high license states. 1t Is urged
that if "original packages" may be shipped
into states that prohibit their sale, they may
be also shipped into states where prohibition
is enforced in certain towns or counties by
local option, or even into states which per-
NIT and regulate the sale of liquor under high
license Not only may prohibition and local
option laws be violated under the privileges
of interstate commerce, but high license may
be avoided by the direct shipment of liquor
from outside state, in Original packages"
to the thirsty consumers. Already these eva
sions of local option laws are transpirlnG IN
Pennsylvania and other eastern states, and
reports come from Nebraska ana Ohio that
similar violations of the high license laws
are also occurring. II is urged that the re-
suit can he nothing but the decentralization OF
the laws of these respective states and COM
murities unless congress takes such action
promptly as wil give the several states the
power which they have been exercising. but
which the supreme court seems to beleye
ought to be distinctly delegated. For this
reason it is believed that sufficient votes will
be cast in favor of the Wilson bill to pass it
in the senate, notwithstanding the opposition
of the -prohibitonists and if the meas
ure comes to vote in the house it will have
q very formidable chance of success in that
body also.