The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-02-06
TWO MoRAlIlY BILLS
Cause Much Talk in the nouss-Mr. welct
Hears Few rhlngs from Mr. Ferguson.

Cause Much Talk In the House-mr. heleh
Hears Few Things from Mr. Ferguson.
special DIspdtch 10 tie fnteiiiCHeGr.
CHARLESTON, W. Va, Feb. 5.-The
bill prohibiting the furnishing of liquor
to students was the subject of another
lively discussion in the House to-day, in
which Mr.. Welcb, OF Mineral, was the
most conspicuous figure.
The question was brought up by Mr..
Johnston, who moved to reconsider the
vote by which 1t was ordered to its
third reading. Mr.. Welch favored the
motion, and proceeded to score the bill
in his own peculiar style. He said peo.
pie couldn't be "legislated mora" and
he was opposed to any suen law. Twas
neither Democratic or Republican, but
prohibition measure, interfering with
mans personal rights. He afterwards
said it was Republican measure, COM
ing from county giving 1900 Rspubli.
can majority. BE believed in personal
liberty, and would venture to say those
who favored the bill drank more whisky
than those who opposed it.
Mr.. Hanen replied that the bill was
not Republican measure. He thought
Mr.. Welch's side OF the question was in
poor way when he had to try to make
political measure OF something outside
OF politics that interested all the people
of the State. The bill was not prepared
by Senator Worley bnt by the principal
OF a school at the request OF number OF
parents who wanted cafe guards thrown
around their children.
Mr.. Welch replied; Eyes, and ] told
that principal he oughtn't to try TO keep
his pupils from drinking whisky when
he drinks himself"
Mr.. Smith said he was opposed to the
bill on general principles. II that bill
was q law, there waa not man on the
floor who ought not to be in Jail now.
A number OF amendments were offered
and adopted which got the bill into such
shape as to be OF doubtful meaning and
at last Judge Ferguson, one Of Its warm
est friends, moved that 1t be referred to
the Judiciary Committee to straighten
out the kinks, which was done.
Shortly afterward the bill prohibiting
the sale Of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco and
narcotics to minors Under eighteen years
came up and it brought Mr.. Welch to the
floor again.
As usual he was "terninst' 1t. He
didn't believe in such measures. II he
wanted to give his boy cigarettes OF
opium he had right 10 do 1t. He was
as good guardian OF his boy as any.
body elsa could be. The measure was
undemocratic. Judge Ferguson might
be a Democrat, but he was more Of q
i Prohibitionist than q Democrat, while he
himself was Democrat per H. The
Democratic party could pass such sump'
tuary laws II 1t wanted to, but II 1t did
1t would haye to take the responsibility,
Judge Ferguson replied that his friend
from Mineral ought to know II was I'M
parliamentary 10 address his remarks
personally to a member OF the House
and call him by name and said: "He
has made that speech think fifteen Of
twenty times sinpe this Legislature met.
Every time measure comes up concern
ing the morals or health OF the people
he makes that same speech, He has
amended II now by ringing the Demo
cratic party into 1t. According TO him
the salvation OF the Democratic party
depends upon whisky and everything
else that will destroy the health Of oul
dts true am a Prohibitionist, and
have q right 10 be. ! am not third
party Prohibitionist, and l don't propose
TO try to change the general laws Of tht
State In regard 10 the liquor business
until ! am satisfied the people demanG
L. ! made nv Gght on that once be
fore, got whipped and accept the result
haven't allowed my principles in thi
to interfere with my party relations, AMI
claim to be "a good Democrat as tn
gentleman from Mineral, but l hop
this thing Of dragging the Democratl,
party in every time whiskey 10 men
toned will be stopped"
The bill was amended by striking on
everything In the list Of prohibited arti
Giles except cigarettes aud opium; Rnt
ordered 10 It's third reading.