Smyrna times., 1907-03-13
IMPORTANT BILLS PASSED AT DOVER.
Legislature Passes the Conner Local Option
Blll-1ouse Raises Taxes of Railroads
and Favors High Llcense-0iher Bills.

LOCAL OptlOn In delaware, through
a special election to be held in every
precinct in the state next November, is
now up to Governor Lea. The States
executive can say whether or not it
shall become law, as, should he veto
the measure, the Senate, where it origi-
mated, has not enough favorable votes
to pass over his veto. That he will ap-
prove it, however, is conjectured from
the fact that President pro tempore
Sparks, who is his nephew, supported
the measure in the Senate, and must
have had opportunity, previously, to
get the Governors views. The house
passed the measure by an overwhelm-
ing vote Wednesday afternoon, after a
favorable report had come in the morn
ing. At the time of the report, the
measure was made the special order
for the afternoon, when it was taken
up and promptly passed. Ayes
Messrs. Conwell, Corbit, Cubbage,
Donoway, Evans, Elliott, Finn Garri-
son, Harrington, Harvey, Hirons,
Keenan,, Knots, Messick, Newton
Paradee, Palmer, Rash, Richards,
Richardson, Taylor, Stats, Williams
and Speaker Hodgson-24 Nays
Messrs. Allen, Cam, t. o. Cooper, 7.
l.. Cooper, Holcomb and McCafferty-
Is. Not voting-Messrs. James, Wilson
and Bennum. Absent-M Messrs. Baggs
and Lambden. Every Republican ex-
cepting Bennum and Wilson, who re-
Trained from voting, supported the
measure. Mr.. James, who didn't vote
is a Democrat. Messrs. Harrington
and Taylor, Democrats, voted with the
Republicans for the measure
DR.. MoOre's Druggist Bill Fails to Garry.
The Democrats acted as a unit and
defeater the Wilmington charter bill
in the State Seuate Thursday although
they had just previously been given
by the Republicans the $50O,OOO loan
bill for New Castle County roads,
which passed (amended to $500, ,O00)
and will apply directly to Democratic
hundreds which have hitherto received
no relief at the hands of a Republican
Levy Court. The Board Trade of Char
ter which was offered as a substitute
was killed Monday Senator Sparks
will now offer an amendment to the
original bill. The Senate last week
killed by tie vote of Z to (Jester
and Sparks not voting) Senator
Moore's bill.for the restriction of the
sale of liquor by druggists to $25 a
year, all on prescription. Senator
Moore, who is physician, vigorously
fought for the passage of the bill.
Senator Conner, his Republican collea-
que from Kent, fought just as hard
against it aud the two had a bitter war
of words. The Senate also pas sed the
pure food law, a counterpart of the
national pure food law, except that it
gives the Delaware State Board of
Health executive powers in carrying
into effect its provisions.
House Favors High License and Excise Board
By vote of twenty two ayes to three
nays, the Delaware House of Repre-
sentatives yesterday passed the high
license bill and will today take up the
Paradee bill providing for board of
excise commissioners. The three
representatives voting nay were Allen,
Lambden and McCafferty. 1t pro.
vides: For an inn or tavern in a city
of 10, 900 inhabitants or more 5000 (now
$4OO.) Of the 5000, $3.50, will go to the
municipality. For an IN or tavern in
towns of less than 10000 inhabitants,
$400 (now S200) For an inn or tavern
in towns of 1000 or less, $3.50 (noU
$200.) The same proportionate rebate
must be made to the cities treasurer
wherein the saloon is located.
Delaware Railroad Must Pay More Tax.
The House Monday passed the House
amendatcry bills to increase the taxes
of railroad companies doing business
in the state and to impose tax for the
state upon national banks, savings
funds and trust companies within the
state. The comprehensive bill to tax
public service corporations recommen-
ded by the committees to consider
means of supplying an adequate rev.
enue for the state was killed in the
, House. The bills that passed the
House fix the tax upon the p, b.
W. railroad at $50, 900, an increase o
$40, 900; upon the Delaware railroad al
$4,000, an increase of $4,000, and
upon the Baltimore and Philadelphia
railroad at $50, 900, and increase o
$25OO.
Delaware College Co-educatlou Bill Defeated
Notwithstanding plea of Represen
s tative John W. Messick for the "girls
Q of Delaware" the House Mo nda.
Q afternoon by a vote of II mays to l.