The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-25
WAS NO TALK WASTED
ALI the Amendments Were Rapidly
Swept Aside.
FINAL VOTE WAS twenty-five TO FIFTEEN
Seeing Chance to Put This Much Temperance
Legislation Into Effect the Advocates
Of Il Get Together Agree on
Programme and Garry
il through.


The Watts bill, regulating the liquor
traffic in North Carolina is a law on the
statute books.
1t goes into effect on the first day of
July, 1903. and it drives the distilleries
and the groggeries from the country.
II leaves in force all special regulations
Of the liquor traffic and it gives to any
city or town, upon application of one
third of the registered voters the right
to hold an election to determine whether
or not intoxicating liquors shall be man
ufactured, whether OF not there shall be
bar-rooms or saloons, whether or not
there shall be dispensaries.
There had been Babel of amendment
confusions when the Senate adjourned its
morning session, but at night this was
all swept away. All the amendments Of
/. fered In the afternoon by the opponents
of the bill and which were pending, voted
down, and as new ones were introduced
these were voted down also.
Senator London withdrew the three
amendments he had offered and when
all the pending amendments had been de-
feated the Watts bill was only hamper
ed by one amendment, and that was the
one introduced by Senator Travis, which
prescribed that hereafter the manufac-
ture of liquor be not allowed in towns
later incorporated with less than 200 in
habitants within the area of a square
mile.
Senator London said; az move to re-
consider the vote by which the amend
ment of the Senator from Halifax was
adopted.''>
Senator Gillian was non plussed He
inquired II the Senator had voted for the
amendment. Yes was the reply.
d oaccuydie shrtr shrdl shrd shrd hi
did you accept it in good faith? ?" was
the next question.
Yes" Come again.
''What is the cause of this changer"
asked Senator Gillian.
Because" said senator London, eve
have determined to pass the Watts bill
eve asked Senator Gillian.
Yes. we." replied Senator London.
I'VE want to pass it and intend to do so
tonight"
And so ii was. NThe amendment of
Senator Travis was vAted out of the bill
Senator Gillian sent forward an amend
ment which provided that the act should
apply to no county until voted on by the
voters of that county. A roll call was
demanded and the amendment was lost
by 26 to Is.
The Watts bill passed its second read
ing with few dissenting voices. On the
third reading objection to the immediate
passage was voted down, and the roll was
called.
The bill was adopted by a vote of q to
IA. Later Senator Woodard returned to
the chamber and cast his vote against
the bill. making it q TO Is, The detailed
vote of the final reading was as follows:
FOR THE BILL.-Aaron. Allison.
Durham. Glenn, Goodwin. Griffith. Hen
derson. Hicks. of Duplin Hicks, of Gran
VILE. Hoey, Lamb. London. Mann. Nc
Laughlin. Milton, Mitchell, Norris,
Pharr. Pritchard, Richardson, Thayer,
Walker. Webb and White-27
AGAINST THE BILL.-Bellamy, Bur
ton. Conley. Crisp, Gillian, Holton, NC
Mullan, Pollock. Spence, Spruill, Travis.
Vann, Warren, Wellborn and Woodard-
10.
PAIRED.-For the bill: Justice,
Cathey; against the bill: Hunter, Rein
hardt.
Senator London moved to reconsider
the vote by which the final reading was
carried and moved to table this. 1t was
done. The clincher was on the bill.
IL will be enrolled and ratified today
and what additional legislation is made In
this General Assembly will be by new
bills from the start
Inc beginning of the end in the matter
OF liquor legislation was had in the
House yesterday. when the Vann- Warren
senate substitute was voted down the
watts House bill given the right of
way, and amendments. mainly from the
London bill. added to il.
Before this came up there were some
ether discussion Early in the morning
session Senator London sent forward .
joint resolution, the immediate passage
of which he urged:
The Joint Resolution reads as follows.
Whereas, the Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction has issued a circular let