Evening journal., 1905-02-09
LOCAL OPTION HAS
STRUCK A SNAG
There Are Evidently Just
Enoughp Legislators to
Defeat 1t
MATTERS NOW At A STANDSTILL
speeIal 70 The Evenlng journal

Special to The Evening Journal.
Dover, Feb. 9-Local option has struck
snag. After the last general election it
looked as though every man elected in
Kent and Sussex counties was a local op-
ZIONIST. Now it appears to be that there
were Just enough eleotedto defeat 1t.
1t is true that local option bills have
bene introduced in the Senate and House,
the Senate bills having been presented
by Mr.. Sparks Of Wilmington and Mr..
Mendinhall OF Newport, comprising the
two local option districts Of New Castle
county. These however will have to run
'the gauntlet Of regular passage OF both
Houses and the Governors signature, and
Il is now a question Of whether or not
the two bills will not each have to be
supported by three-fourths Of the mem
bers elected to each House, inasmuch as
they indirectly concern revenues Of the
State.
Local Option Ask for Help.
Meanwhile a feeble effort is being made
to take advantage Of the constitutional
prerogative Of securing a signed instru-
ment containing the names Of two-thrds
Of the members elected to either House,
from any one Of the four constitutional
districts. The members Of the House from
Kent county, headed by Representative
Baggs, have signed such an instrument,
but the Sussex members Of the House
have, apparently done nothing.
Kent's members of the Senate are put
ting eff action from day to day. AS soon
as two-thirds Of them sign, this will COM
plete Kent's duty as a condition precedent
and the Legislature shall then, so the con-
stitution says. pass bill calling for the
voters OF Kent county to assemble at the
polls next November and there express
themselves upon the question Of whether
} or not the manufacture and sale OF intox-
icating liquor shall be allowed Thus mat
ters are at a standstin and the local op-
tionists are praying for help.
Monaghan's Bill for This City.
A lively debate occurred in the Senate
yesterday following a resolution intro
duced BY Senator Monaghan. After much
discussion 1t was finally passed, Senators
} 7. C. Moore and Conner voting no. The
resolution was as follows:
Resolved, BY the Senate. the House OF
? Representatives concurring therein, that
: on and after the passage Of this concur
{ rent resolution, it shall be the duty OF
the chairman Of any committee to which
, has been referred any bill relating to tn,
city Of wilmington or any other city OF
. town OF the State to notify the iCty Coun.
Gil or Commissioners. as the case may be
: OF the existence OF any such bill or bills
and be It further
Resolved. That the same rule be APP
piled to bills affecting the Levy Courts OF
/ the various counties"
e Sparks Refused to Vote.
e For the first time since the opening OF
the session Lieutenant-G Governor Parker
was called upon yesterday TO cast the de-
cisive vote, when a tie occurred in the
Senate.
The emergency anpse when Senator
Monaghan called up the report of the
committee on printing. which orders that
all printing hereafter be given out by con-
tract, awarded in the presence Of the
bidders. The Union Republicans fought
the resolution, on the ground of an al
legged illegality. The resolution was in
= tended to prevent the Union Republicans
, from securing all of the printing con.
! tracts. They secured the vote Of Senator
/ Stirling, Regular. and were aided by tn,
- refusal OF Senator Sparks to vote. The re-
= suit was:
o Ayes-Boyce, Jefferson, Latta, Mendin-
n hall Monaghan. Rose, Reed. Smiths.
e Nays-Barnard, Houston, Lingo, Moore
{ d. o., Moore. T. c.; Pennewill. Stirling
e President Corners.
e Not voting-sparks-1
The Lieutenant-Governor, asked foi
time to consider and Senator Monaghan
consented to the announcement OF thu
y vote being postponed until tomorrow a
= 11.SO a. m.
Routine Of the Senate.
r The Senate reconvened yesterday at
g p. m.
o Passed-Resolution instructing tn
= chairman Of various committees to ad
wise al ltowns or Levy Courts concern
e ing which legislation was offered. CAye
:, a; Nays, p
{ Passed-Resolution instructing the legis
S lative attorneys to inquire into tn
: legality Of all bills offered for passage
: Read and referred-House bills appoint
0 ing a justice Of the peace and a notar!
public for Wyoming.
Notice-By Mr.. Pcnnewill. act to ameni
an act limiting judgment liens upon rea
{ I estate in Kent and Sussex counties 9TH
. act for which a special session OF Legis
. lature was called TO remedy a defect)
a Chairs Decision Withheld-On the Ii
v vote received by resolution offered by MI
Moore, d. o. to table the report Of tn
r Committee on Printing.
n Passed-Act 10 enable the town o
o Smyrna to refund certain bonds Ac
It authorizing the governor TO appoint an
= commission certain persons as special con
stables for persons or corporations own
& ing OF operating railway lines within tn
2, Continued on Page Five.)
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