The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-12-03
pRoHlelrloN ANp DE- sENA1E.

PROHIBITION AND THE SENA1 <.
There is a great deal of speculation
as to how the next State s.nate will
stand on the prohibition amendment.
Of course. no one can tell exactly until
the vote is taken. bu, Judging by the
vote on the proposition last February.
those who oppose submitting the ques-
ton to the people have made gains.
OF the Is follower senators, eight
voted against submitting the amend
ment, namely. Hazlett, Gartlan, Cos
sin, White, Baker, Nader, Bailey and
Silver. or the newly elected senator's
II is positive that Mr.. Zillikin and Mr..
Mefntire will oppose submission, be-
cause their nominations were made
with that object in .iew. Senator
Johnson, who voted against the
amendment last winter, has been re
elected. so assuming that all those
who voted in the negative before will
do so again, the anttpr3hibltIonlsts
are certain of II votes. This will
leave but 10 votes for submission. or
one less than the two.tnirls necessary
Tor submission. It has also been as.
serted. though with how much author
'ty the News does not know, that
senators.elect Meredith, HatAcd and
England will vote against the amend.
ment.
The assumption t-:at the senator's
who voted against the amendment be-
fore will do SO again. however, is not
a safe one. Senator Johnson, for in.
stance. is in a peculiar position. He
Is opposed to It, but the convention
which nominated instructed him to re-
verse himself by voting for It, Mr..
Miller. who is from the same district.
may also change, as ne is probably de-
slrous of denomination. Senator's
Hazlett and Gartlan, so far az the
News is Informed, have signlncd to no
one what they intend 10 do.
1t is certain that some kind of a 10.
cal option bill will be passed, as that
is a Republican platform pledge. and
1t Is evident that the party leaders
intend TO abide by it. In considering
such possibilities, however, it should
| 49,.
always be borne in mind that the leg.
stature at a regular session can ere.
ate s;''Nt1ry prohibition by a mere
majority OF the two branches. Senti.
Ment' tough, seems TO be against taK,
lNg such 81 sten-Wheeltng News.
Here We are face to face with the
proposition. Tie News speafs Tor he
local option crawd and for those who
say the people have no right to vote
Oh n question when they wish TO 40
so. We desire to remind The News
that the submission of the prohibition
amendment is "a Republican platform
pledge also, clearly and succinctly
set forth, and It has the strong and un-
qualified endorsement Of Governor.
elect Giasscock, then how can that
pledge be broken and the peouIe not
lose confidence in tho party? Again,
we believe tho News Is wrong IL it
'nlnKs sentiment Is against enactinc n
~prohibitory law by u mere majority
OF the tw. branches. II the two.thirds
rule Tor the submission or an amend.
ment cause the defeat of the prohi.
bition measure in the senate, stems
ought to be taken at once to PASS =
law prohibiting the sale of liquor in
the State, and that would be II r Of
passage. This is no time for foolish.
ness and the people are not in a frame
OF mind to be tnmpered with on this
question. 1t will he well enough for
tn" News and Entelligcncer and the
Charleston Mail to bear these things
IN mind while fighting the battles of
liquor people in opposition to the pro.
posed prohibition amendment.