El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-06-25
PROHIBITION
MAY HAVE 4 :
HARD ROAD
Campbell May Not Force It
on the State So Easy-Col-
Quit to Be the Goat.
LEGISLATUREMA
NOT BE RIDDEN
By w. ID. Hornaday.)

Austin, Tex, June 25.-If governor
Campbell attempts to bring about the
enactment of a statewide prohibition
law AT the special session of the legis-
laure, which is to convene July IL,
there will be a battle royal on the
proposition in the house and senate.
Some Of the anti-prohibition leaders
are now claiming that a majority OF the
members of that body are opposed TO
state wide prohibition by statutory
method They also say that this alleged
majority will vote against any saloon
restrictive measure, such as the pro-
posed three mile and quart sale laws
The claim of these -prohibitionists
may be well founded, although it is
known that a majority Of both houses
favor the proposition of submitting
state wide prohibition amendment TO
the constitution to vote of the people
CT the state
But as il takes a two-thirds vote OF
the house and senate to do this the
submission strength in the legislature
may not count for anything 1t Is the
prevailing opinion that should the sub
mission proposition carry by majority
vote in the coming Democratic prima-
RES the result would have no effect on
the existing situation so far as bring
ing about a change in votes OF the
legislature at the coming session, not
Withsfanding that il would be embraced
II the platform as a party demand The
old question Of the bearing Of this de-
nfand upon representatives and SEN
ators who represent districts which are
anti-prohibition in the sentiments of
the people would still remain unsettled.
The legislators would probably vote
on the proposition as they did at the
last regular session, almost to a man
The suggestion has been made that
governor Campbell will not submit any
antl-saloon legislation at the special
session unless petitioned to do so by
majority or good working strength of
the two bodies. 1t is expected that the
pressure from the prohibitionists that
statutory prohibition be considered at
this session viii be very strong.
CompbcI's Control.
II is a well known fact that a retiring
governor has very little control over
the Legislature, either in special or
regular session He has no patronage
at his disposal his political utility TO
the members of the lawmaking body is
practically at an end. The legislators
have no further favors to ask of him
and his recommendations usually count
for little 1t Is a case of the king is
dead. long live the king" Unless all
signs fail governor Campbell has cut
GUt a heap of trouble for himself dur
ing the coming dog days of summer.
He says that he is fit and fine and able
to weather any storm that may rage
around him. It is admitted even by his
political enemies, that should he be able
to carry out any plan that he may
have brewing for giving the state pro-
hibition he will place himself in line
for possible senatorial honors at the
hands Of that faction of the party. no
matter Y hich of the candidates who are
now in the race for governor may win.
It is thought by many people that he
is making play for big political
stakes 1t is argued in this connection
that he has everything to gain and
nothing to lose by converting the leg
islature in special session
The Objectionable fire insurance rat
ing board law gave him ample excuse
for the step that he took. If he finds
conditions propitious the effort to Grad
icate the saloons from the state will
be made by him, it is generally believed.
and If he succeeds in accomplishing this
he must naturally be hailed as the
leader of that faction Of the Demo-
cratic party in Texas.
Big Lobby Expected
1t is anticipated that the fire insur-
ance and possible anti-saloon legisla-
ton VIII bring to Austin one of the
largest Hobbies that was ever assem-