Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-03-26
TEMPERANCE ADVOCATES START
NOISY DEMONSTRATION BE-
FORE SENATE COMMITTEE.
SPEECHES OF BOTH SIDES
BRING FORTH APPLAUSE
Hearing Before Committee Calls Out
an Audience That Filled the Caller
los - Both Sides Express satisfac-
ton With the Showing Made-Arsu-
ments Bring Out Nothing New.
to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines. March 26.-The prohlhi-
tory amendment issue was pretty thor
oughly thrsshed out at the meeting of
the senate committee. This committee
meeting rather resembled an old-fash-
lioned convention. and but for the pro-
tests of the members would have be-
come quite demonstrative. Once, as
Judge Wade was speaking, the Kissing
commenced, and Senator Gillilland
arose and announced that the commit
tee would not hear such arguments.
The Judge had Just been saying that
the whole trouble with the question
was that it was hard to reach COM
mon basis for argument and hard for
come persons to have any federation FOR
others who differ from them. The
Kissing. he said, merely illustrated
what he said. The special thing Missed
was his declaration that in fact the
temperance people are to be congrat-
made for temperance, and that 1t per-
haps would be just as we'll to continue
la little while longer in the work Judge
Wade contended that one of the great
est duties of the day is that OF en-
forcement of law, and with this should
be a certainty that the laws are such
that they ought to be enforced. But we
are facing a condition and until we
make humanity over again the time
has not come for agreeing upon con-
|stitutional prohibition as the best
thing.
Father Nugent. who opened the dis
cussion made his strongest contention
on the fact that statewide prohibition
did not prohibit, that 1t never can ana
never will prohibit, and that statistics
will show that when Iowa had consti-
tutional prohibition there WAS as much
liquor drunk as ever. The mere fact
that the amendment received enough
votes to carry it was not proof that the
sentiment was back of 1t for enforce
ment, and the mistake we made was IN
assuming that this would be the case
AS matter of fact, so he related from
his own observation during the prohi-
bition days. conditions were much
worse than theySare at the present time
and a long train Of evils followed the
attempt at statewide prohibition. He
pleaded against a useless attempt to
regulate the liquor traffic in this way
William Michrist, of Sioux City,
spoke on behalf of the business inter-
ests there. He asked that the state be
not now plunged into this conflict,
which would be so harmful to the
state, especially when it would be
much easier to take the quicker method
of amending the constitution by the in
itiative of the voters.
Mr. Moulin and Mr.. Cowles, of Bur
lington, both spoke briefly, the latter
presenting the argument in relation to
the obligation resting upon senators OF
each one deciding for himself whether
or not the amendment is the best way
to get at temperance before submitting
1T to the people.
For the amendment, and in rebuttal
of the arguments. speeches were made
by W. w White. Rev. Mr.. Barber, Mrs.
Stevens and others. the arguments be-
ing substantially as in the former
hearing. The galleries applauded vo-
ciferously as the prohibition speakers
made point after point, but it was evil
dent all thru that the audience was
about equally divided.
Both the pros and the antis express
themselves as well satisfied with the
hearing on the amendment, and each
side processes to be confident of sue
cess. The committee, of course, did
not dispose of the matter at once.
Among the members there is really