The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-23
IEMPESTUoUs CAREER OF
 THE PROPOSED ENACTMENT
Made Membership in Clubs Where
 Whiskey is Sold Punishable.
Amendments Agreed to Which Eiimi- nate Objectionable Features and Permit Existing Clubs to Re- tain Their Rights Under
 Their Present
 Charters.

The Carmichael club bill, after the strangest and most tempestuous course d bill ever followed, has been put on the Senate calendar and will be passed today--the last day of the extra ses- sion.
 But the bill went on the calendar with amendments eliminating the req lures to which number or senators objected. The bill was originally ad- yersed not because the Senate favored clubs having the privilege of selling or dispensing whiskey. but 1t put penal ty on mans being member or club, as one man expressed 1t. These Senators believed that the bill put re- strictions and penalties on club mem bers and subjected them to prosecu- tions. which did not apply to the ordi- nary citizen.
 Of the bill in its original form Sena- tor Moody said:
 srhe bill Is not generally understood Itprovides that members of a club. seerningly all members--in which liquor is sold or drank shall be guilty ef a f1isdemeanor and severely nned. u does not provide that only those mem bers who sell or drink liquors in a club shall be lined.
 ssChe offense seems to be not the sell ing or drinking of whiskey. but the act of membership. If a club has 200 mem bers and five of them drank liquor in club without the consent of the others, ought the other 195 to be punished7 The mistake of the bill is in making membership in the club the onense and not the use of liouor.
 Naturally the bill in that form was objectionable to number of Senator's All day long the bill was trouble breeder in the Senate The Anti-Sa- loon League wanted the bill and the Legislature has not yet refused to do | Feared the Crfsieasm.
 Then the legislators themselves were tlneasy, about the bill. In fancy they could hear the charge scattered Droad- cast over the State:
 "Oh, yes; they passed q bill forbid ding the poor man from taking Q drink. but they allow the rich fellows in the clubs to drink as much as they want" That would never do.
 The prohibitionists were fearful, too, that the claim would be made in Ala bama, as it is being made in Georgia. that prohibition could not prohibit, be- cause lockers and clubs would be per uaitted. It was charged that unless the bill was passed alleged clubs would spring up all over the big cities of the State.
 Because a majority of the Senators could not get the bill on the calendar, the threat was made that the Legisla- ture would be kept in session until the bill was passed.
 Senator Lusl not only said this but he moved to make good the threat. But his resolution to that effect was de- feated.
 By a compromise, however, the bill was put on the calendar in the last five minutes of the day. It will be passed today and both Houses will adjourn ac- cordinK to program.
 The bill was dead no less than three times yesterday, but each time the ma jority revived it and put breath in it again.
 adversed by the Temperance Commit tee Thursday afternoon. Senator Mo- Whorter endeaYored to get the bill re- ported on the adverse calendar on that same afternoon. but Senator Teasley objected. That carried the bill over until yesterday morning in comatose condition.
 Fight Over Measure.
 As soon as the Senate met Senator McWhorter reported from his commit tee the adversing of the bill. Now that looked as # the bill was dead. because to take a bill from the adverse calen- dar requires a full days notice. If have come up until today, and the Leg islature adjourns today.
 Senator LuslS immediately moved that the bill recommended to the Ju- dietary Committee. Some of the Sena- tors appeared to be astonished at the motion. which they declared was fly ing in the face of the rules. They argued strenuously that if a bill was adversed that action in itself was ac' tion by the Senate upon the measure and by no possible way could the bill be given to another committee.
 Senator Lusk declared that 1t was incumbent upon the Senate to pass that bill. It was a companion meas ure to the general prohibition bill and should be passed.
 Senator WcWhorter sustained the contention of Senator Lusk. The Sen. ate was sovereign. It had the right if it wanted to. to submit the bill tc another committee.
 The bill is not before the Senate argued Senator Hammer. Tt Is on thu adverse calendar. The rules require ( days notice to be given when bill is taken from the adverse calendar. Il this bill should be taken from tho adverse calendar it must be done in ar orderly way"
 To Remain in Session.
 Senator Lusk announced that h' would offer resolution that the Leg fslature remain in session until the bill had been passed.
 Calleu upoH ioI AuAAHe' toSAuSH Gray held that the Senate could senC the bill to another committee, if it saw fit to do so, although 1t had been ad versed on that day Again some of thu Senators appeared shocked at that rul ing, which they declared to be con trary to the rules of the Senate.
 Senator Thomas appealed from th' ruling of the chair. The Senate sus tained the appeal of Senator Thoma by vote of Is to 10,
 Temporarily defeated. Senator Lusl offered a resolution declaring that tn Senate should remain in session unti the bill was passed