The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1903-02-12
StrattOn Bill is TO Go Over.

Nashville, Feb. 1.-THE bill to au-
thorize the establishment of dispen-
sary at Columbia, which passed the
house yesterday, is more far-reaching
in its influence than is generally sup
posed. 1t might rightfully be termed
an experiment Of the anti-saloon peo-
pie, and it's operation will be watched
with considerable interest by people
throughout the state. While the bill
is local in its application it means a
long step in the direction of dispen-
sary law for the entire state, and may
be taken as an indication of the line
the anti-temperance legislation will be
directed two years hence.
The Stratton bill, which was passed
by the house yesterday, will not be
considered by the senate until after
the recess. In the meantime the mem
bers will have ample opportunity to
discuss the matter with their constitu-
ents and come back prepared to vote
the sentiments of the people they rep.
resent.
The drastic amendment to the meas
ure has put the anti-saloon leaders eur
in the air, as it were. DIR. Folk, pres.
ident of the league, has stated publicly
that the amendment is right, but he
doubts the expediency of it's adoption
at this time. Some of the strongest
temperance men in the legislature were
opposed to the amendment, but when il
came to vote they could not consist
emily vote against it. They will make
an effort to prevent further Legislation
along this line, but as was stated sew
eral weeks ago, they can not contro
the rank and file. The house seems t.
have lost its head on the whisky ques
tion, and most any kind Of a temperate,
measure will have easy sailing.
There is another element which ha
entered into the fight which is gradual,
being turned on the liquor men of tn
large cities. The saloonists in tn
small towns are sore. They claim tn
city men laid down on them in tn
| fight against the passage of the Adam
bill, and now that they are to be pu
out of business they are not feeling an
too kindly toward the city dealers
They argue that if the saloon is ba
thing for the small towns it is a wors
thing for the big cities, and especial
for Nashville, where there are so man
schools and colleges. This sentimen
entered largely into the adoption of tn
Greer amendment to the Sratton bill.
Mr.. Greer stated on the floor of til
house yesterday that it was freely ri
mored that the Anti-Saloon League an
the whisky dealers of the large cite
: had entered into an agreement b
which the city dealers were to kee
hands off the Adams bill, and the ant
saloon people would not antagoni2
them. Whether this rumor is true c
not the circumstantial evidence is ratl
: err convincing. 1t is a matter of legii
lative history that the fight put u
! against the Adams bill was one of til
3 lamest ever credited to the saloo
: crowd, and since it's passage there hs
been an effort of the anti-saloon leader
to let up on the saloons and be Statistic
with what they had.
Mr.. Stratton, the author of the latel
temperance measure, was sat down III
ON by the Anti-Saloon League when
endeavored to have the provisions
! his bill incorporated into the Adam
. bill as all amendment. He though
there was glory enough for all, but til
4 author of the bill and the anti-saloo
leaders did not see where he came il
and passed the word down the line |
$ accept no amendments. Finally in I'll
Q interest of harmony he withdrew b
Y amendment and let the Adams bill b,
1 come law without further opposition
r Then he introduced his amendment {
i a separate bill, and this is what hs
$ caused the latest furry. He was az
vised not to do this, but he ignored I'll
}, advice of the leaders and made his ow
: fight.
0 Both houses of the general assembl
: yesterday showed disposition to clet
up the calendars before The recess
Q which begins on Friday The hous
t held two busy sessions, and came will
in dozen bills of disposing of all IL
? business before it. The senate follow
0 ed the example, and if the three su,
Y ceeding days are as industriously uti
0 lied as yesterday, there will be fe
\ measures pending except those in th
hands of the committees when bot
houses adjourn.
e Is it burn? Use DIR. Thomas Elet
q trio Oil. A cut? Use DR. Thoma