The Washington herald., 1907-12-19

That the most erudite debate on a con-
stitutional question may have its
touches OF humor was proven yesterday
by Senator Lodge. OF Massachusetts. in
the Senate, during discussion. in which
the most learned lawyers Of that body
participated. Of the respective rights OF
the Federal government and of the States
in regard to the transportation Of liquor
by interstate carriers into States which
have adopted prohibition laws.
Senator TiIlman innocently precipitated
the debate by introducing the following
resolution:
Resolved. That the Committee on Interstate Com
merce DO instructed TO consider and report by bill or
otherwise what legislation is desirable or necessary
10 enable the States IN the exercise Of their police
powers 70 control the commerce. IN liquors and all
alcoholic beverages within their borders 50 as TO aid
the Of Temperance and 20 prevent the encour-
agement by the United States government Of illicit
dealing in the same.
Lodge Starts the Fun.
After Senator's TiIlman. Aldrich. Clark.
Bacon. Knox. Bailey, Culberson, Fulton.
and Nelson had thrashed out the con-
stitutional question involved. in an ex-
tended exchange of opinions, Senator
Lodge arose with mien of studied
seriousness and said:
Il think the Senator from South Caro-
lima, the author OF the resolution. will
see the necessity of changing the word
ing. # the clerk viii have the kindness
70 read the latter part Of the resolution
again.
The Vice President ordered the clerk
10 read the section referred TO, as fol-
lows:
What legislation is desirable or necessary to enable
the States in the exercise Of their police powers 10
control the commerce in liquors and all alcoholic
beverages within their borders 20 aid the cause
OF Temperance and 20 prevent the encouragement
by the United States government Of Illicit dealing in
the same.
"As il is now worded," continued Mr..
Lodge. the same refers to the cause Of
temperance-illicit dealing in the cause
OF temperance-and OF course ! think
what the senator from South Carolina in
tended was Illicit dealing in alcoholic
beverages"
TiIlman Joins in Laugh
For several seconds the full meaning OF
the Senator's point did not strike the
larger number of his hearers. but then
the ripple of laughter that was running
through the chamber grew into a roar. in
which Senators. clerks, and the people In
the gallery joined Even the Vice Presi-
dent for a few moments forget that he
had his gavel in his hand, and merriment
held full sway. Senator Tillman was one
Of the first TO see the joke, and he Joined
heartily in the laughter
After the laughter had subsided Mr..
Bacon obtained the floor and was about
TO speak when Mr. Tillman rose. The fol-
lowing colloquy then ensued:
Mr.. Tillman-Mr President
The Vice President-Does the Senator
from Georgia yield to the Senator from
South Carolina?
Mr Tillman-WiI the clerk senG the
resolution here?
The Vice President-The Senator from
Georgia l. entitled 70 the floor. Does the
Senator from Georgia yield to the Senator
from South Carolina?
Mr. Tillman-Of course. on ques-
ton
The Vice President-Does the Senator
from Georgia yield to the Senator from
South Carolina?
Mr.. Bacon-The Senator from South
Carolina has not given me an opportunity
to answer the question Of the Chair.
The Vice President-The Senator from
Georgia has the floor. Does he yield to
the Senator from South Carolina?
Gets Back AT Lodge.
Mr. Bacon-With pleasure.
Mr. Tillman-The Senator will excuse
me. did not notice that he had risen.
1 was about TO say that on the general
proposition 1 would surrender at discre-
tion to the learned and well-educated
Senator from Massachusetts. but I will
read the resolution again and see if 1
can get the meaning out Of it that he did
or whether his Interpretation is the cor
rect one. 'The same" could refer by n little
stretch Of the imagination-and the Sen
ator has very brilliant one sometimes
10 Illicit dealing in liquors instead of the
cause OF temperance; but we will not act
hastily, nor will we get drunk over this.
which would be more appropriate phrase
when dealing with the measure relating
to the subject Of liquors and the com
merce therein; and if the Senator wishes
me TO strike out the words the same" !"
or has any other suggestion so as to
purify my English, Will be obliged 10
him If he viii make it,
Laughter followed this sally. The de-
bate again became dignifed and learned
and finally, Mr.. Tillman, accepting a
suggestion from Mr.. Knox, decided to
withdraw his resolution and substitute
for it the Wilson original package" bill.
as new bill, amended so as TO surrender
10 the States the right to control all
liquor shipped from an outside point 10
v-ff tie