The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-25
YTOR'S
BILL FAILS.
Senate Kills General Dispen.
Sary Measure.
HOUSE HAS LONG SESSION
Bill offered to Lay Additional Structures
Upon Liquor Oisters-Move to
Have Congress Advertise the
jamestown Exposition.
HOUSE HAS LONG SESSION
jamestown Exposition.

noon until 2:45 P. M The entire time was
consumed in the discussion of the general
dlspensary bill. offered by Mr. Clayton, OF
Bedford, and which came up on its third
reading as special and continuing order.
The Senate first amended the bill so as to
give the state one-fourth instead of one
eighth OF the profits OF dispensaries In the
event the bill should pass. that amend :
ment being proposed by Mr.. Wickham. Of
Hanover. The amended bill was then ex-
haustively discussed. and the pending
question, the engrossment OF the bill. or
dered. The Senate refused by vote Of
IL to 6 to engross the bill, and Mr.. Wick,
hams motion to reconsider was rejected.
thus .!l!i::g the measure for the session.
This action does not, however. interfere
with the operation OF the existing leea;
dspcnsaries.
There were twenty-six or more members
present when the session Of the Senate
began. but this number had dwindled to
q when the measure came to vote. Dur
ing the debate the cloak-roon was pop
ular place, many OF the Senators re-
firing to 1t to enjoy the luxury OF a pun
at a pipe or cigar.
GENERAL GAME LAW.
There was little preliminary business
The Senate and House could not agree
on the amendments TO the general game
law. and a conference was ordered on the
dsagreeIng vote. Messrs. Keezell, Hal
sey and McIlwaine were named as con-
ferees on the part OF the Senate.
Several bills mentioned In The Times
Dispatch or yesterday we're reported from
committees.
Several local road measures were Of
fered. one relating to Fairfax, and an
other by Mr.. Lyle. They We're referred.
The Senate deferred the first special
order, the general bill as 10 cities and
towns reported from the Committee on
Counties. Cities and Towns. 1t was post;
poned owing TO the absence.of some SEN
ators who desired to discuss it.
THE DIsPENsARY BILL.
The second special order. the general
t1spensary bill. Of which Mr.. Clayton is the
rarron, was then taken UP and onsidertu VI
oft consumed the remaining time Of the ses-
sion. Mr.. Clayton opened the debate In
MI earnest appeal for the bill. which, he
claimed would largely Increase the reve-
hue from the liquor traffic; would secure
regulation and control OF IL; unadulter-
ated liquors would decrease the evils Of
social drinking, and in every way result
satisfactorily 10 the communities adopt
ing the plan. He charged that the evils
Of the liquor traffic ware due mainly to
social drinking. which would be practi.
sally broken up by the dispensary plan.
BOTTLE-DRIEKING HABIT.
Mr.. Opie was unqualifedly opposed to
tho plan. He declared that 1t begot the
bottle-drlnking habit. which he regarded
as the very worst and most demorallzing
form OF indulgence. creating drunkards.
lie was opposed to the State engaging
t1t,a{ ~ an
Mr. Wickham was opposed to the dis
pensary plan, but especially to the dis
ordinations made In the various towns
md counties where 1t was In vogue as de-
veloped by the debate. He proposed to
amend by making the States share OF
the profits one-tourth instead Of one
eighth. This amendment was later adopt
ed.
Mr.. Stands, in whose county there Is
local dispensary, advocated the dlspen-
Bary plan. but opposed the bill for the
reason that IL passed it would repeal the
special law in his county, and operate to
The disadvantage OF the dlspensary there.
Decreasing the local revenue derived from
It. He voted against the amended bill.
A SOCIAL HABIT. 4
Mr.. Watkins, Of Prince Edward. Joined.
hands with the patron OF the bill and ad-
vocated II in speech Of some length.
He charged that drinking was social
habit, which would be practically done
away with. under the dlspensary PLAN
Mr.. Watkins also described his experience
In local option towns and counties where
tho law was evaded through the bogus
club plan He Detailed his experience In
one Of these so-called local option town
clubs. where, by the payment of dime
and the entry of his name on book, he
became q member OF the club and got his
drink. His membership ceased as soon as
he had gotten the drink, which he ok.
rlained was for his stomach's sake.
JUDGE M4ANNs PROTEST.
Judge Mann, author OF the Mann liquor
bill regulating and controlling the traf-
nc, made an earnest protest against the
plan and his attitude in the matter Of the
liquor traffic. He was opposed to 1t, and
had sought successfully to have his views
embodied in the bill bearing his name.
but with such concessions to the oppo-
nents of his Views as would secure the
enactment of the bill. He stated that he
was nominated for Congress on, one occa-
sion, but learning that tho liquor inter-
ests were opposedto his candidacy ana
being unwilling to yield anything OF his
conscientious convictions for the sake
of office or anything else. he had de-
clinedl rhe nomination. Judge Mann
sharply criticised the dispensary plan.
which he OPP used on the principle that
II put the State In the liquor franc
Furthermore. Judge Mann took up the
claim OF the advocates OF the dispensary
that the people OF dispensary towns were
pleased with the operation OF the law, and
pointed out that the counties and towns
surrounding Or contiguous to dispensarles
Eere bitterly opposed to the pla suffe Ing
I'll the evils and sharing none OF the
profits Of the enterprise II operated to
nnnul no license laws in the counties
and towns surrounding It.
Mr.. Clayton closed the debate with
strong defense OF the dispensary plan
from the criticisms leveled at IT,
THE MEASURE BEATEN.
The pending question was then ordered,
It being on the engrossment and third
reading of the amended bill The Senate
refused to engross the bill, Messrs. Clay
Tor. Harvey, Garrett, Lyle, Tyler and
Watkins alone voting In favor of it. Mr.,
Massie. who favored the bill, was paired
with Mr., Chapman, who opposed It, Fiji
teen Senator's were recorded against the
bill.
Mr. Vfck ham mazda fha fnrrn a p,otto,,