The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-27
LEGISLATURE REcoNVENEs.
SENATE REFUSED TO TAKE UP
BILL LAST NIGHT.
Effort Made by Mr.. Otis to Bring Up
the Bill Was Defcated-Amend-
nents offered by Otis and Chris
tensen Were Ordered to be Printed
In Brackets in the Bill.

Columbia, Feb. 23.-Just before
the senate adjourned tonight, an ef-
fort was made by Senator Otis to
bring up the prohibition measure, but
the senate voted to adjourn upon a
yea and nay vote of 18 to IL, and the
bill was not made a special order.
Upon this whole matter, there arose
quite a discussion, and for few min
utes 1t looked as If there were going
to be something close on to filibus-
ter. Earlier In the evening Senator
Otis had made an effort to have the
bill considered and an agreement
had been reached by which the
amendments offered by Senators Otis
and Christensen were ordered to be
printed In brackets In the prohibition
bill. and the bill to be laid on the
senator's decks for their information.
When the effort just before the ad-
journment was taken was mde by
Senator Otis to have the bill made a
special oder. there arose storm of
objection on the ground that it was
understood that no such motion was
to be offered; that the bill was merely
to be tagged with the amendments
and retain Its place upon the calen-
dar. Senator Otis contended that he
did agree at the time when he first
tried to have the bill considered to
merely have the amendments ordered
printed. but held also that this was
not binding upon him after the busi-
ness of the evening was disposed Of;
that he had agreed not to make a
motion to make the bill special or
der earlier In the evening In order to
allow the senate to dispose Of other
matters and not take up the whole
evening with discussion of the pro-
hibition bills: that. the business of
the evening being through. he felt
that he was not breaking any agree
ment to call up his BILL
Senator Clifton and others argued
that the understanding was that no
such motion was to be made, other
wise they would not have agreed to
the proposition OF printing the
amendments. After much discussion.
motion to adjourn. made by Senator
Otis. prevailed. o
The most important amendment
proposed to the prohibition bill to-
night was to the following effect:
Pass the prohibition bill for State
wide prohibition to take effect July I,
1909. Then on August /, 1909, let
the counties now wet hold special
elections for or against whiskey. If
the counties or any of the counties
should vote prohibition. then let the
county dispensary be closed. II the
counties. or any one or more of them,
should vote for whiskey. then let the
county dispensaries remain as they
are now. or in as many of the coun-
ties now wet, as may vote to retain
them.
"This would give Statewide prohi-
bition. practically, from July /. to Au-
gust 1. being somewhat Of the nature
OF the hiatus which existed between
the State dispensary and the county
dispensary system when the latter
was put into force"
This amendment was proposed both
by Senator'S Otis and Christensen,
representing prohibition men and To-
cal option supporters.
There Is a proviso also that the
provisions of the prohibition bill and
the limitations Incorporated therein
by amendments shall remain of full
force and effect in the counties.
Senator Christensen has offered an
amendment to the prohibition bill to
the effect that 1t shall be the duty of
the sheriffs and their deputies to en-
force the provisions Of the prohibit
tion bill, as amended, and failure to
do so would bring forfeiture of office.
ihlS amendment practically places
the burden upon the county officers,
Just as the Carey-Cothran Act now
does. Senator Christensen has also
offered an amendment to be incorp-
Grated in the bill providing for the
bringing up of injunction proceedings
against the liquor traffic. This Sec
ton of the bill would make more
stringent the law now in force as to
Injunction proceedings in whiskey
cases.
Senator Otis has proposed an
amendment which declares the sale
OF liquor. etc, common nuisance,
the provisions of which are practical
ly the same as his bill on this sub
ject.