Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-12
County Option Bill Goes
to Third Reading
as it is.
WET BILL FOLLOWS IT
Move for Statewide Prohibi-.
tion Promised in Debate
on the Subject.

: Springfield Ill, April 12.-The ~drys"
sprang- a surprise on the "wets" in the
local option fight in the house today,
when Chairman Wilson of the temper
ance committee offered an amendment
70 the county option bill eliminating
Cook county from its operation. The
amendment was presented Immediately
following the reading of the option bill
by the clerk. There was a large at
tendance of local optionists. They were
so demonstrative the speaker was
obliged TO direct the arrest of any per
sons refusing TO obey the order TO keep
quiet.
CAUTIONED BY ALSCHULER.
Wilson in explaining the amend
ment, declared there was no earthly
chance of having the county option
adopted in Cook county. Alschuler
cautioned the house to beware of the
course being pursued by Wilson, and
declared that, down in his heart VIII
son favored state wide prohibition, but
is afraid TO try that out. Lee ONeil
Browne spoke against and G. H. Smith
and English in favor of the amend
ment Smiths declaration that he was
not afraid to stand upon statewide pro
hibition brought applause from the gal
leries The demonstra brought out
protests from several members. and
notice from Speaker Adkins that the
galleries might be cleared.
PREDICTS PROHIBITION.
Representative Frank G. Smith, in
dependent, declared the tendency TO
center population in cities made the
country people more concerned in what
the city does than the city is concerned
Eirf- atshe country does. Should the
ooyzBty option bill be defeated, the Chi
cago minister-legislator predicted the
down-state people will create a senti-
ment sufficient to elect a prohibition
assembly and a dry" governor and
pass a statewide prohibition law in
retaliation.
Two-THIRDs OPPOSE SALOON.
Answering questions put by Foster,
Wilson asserted two-thirds of the peo-
pie outside of Cook county want the
bill passed. He declared the people
sought to make the matter purely a
commercial proposition as TO the
amendment coming before the house
and not before the committee Wilson
said the elimination of Cook was not
thought of in committee. He stated
the amendment was given 10 him, but
did not say by whom drawn, but de
clared his willingness to stand for it.
DECLINES TO ANSWER.
Cook county Wilson said. was TO pre-
vent irres ponsible people in Chicago
from getting out county option petit
tions Asked if he would vote TO elm
mate Chicago from the provisions of
the statewide prohibition bill, Wilson
declined 10 answer.
When Wilson finished speaking, '
Chairman Curren OF the wet" commit
tee moved TO table the amendment. On
roll call the amendment was tabled. S5
10 63 With the defeat of Wilson's
amendment the bill was advanced 10
third reading without the threatened
motion 10 strike out the enacting clause
being made
WET BILL FOLLOWS.
The wet" bill. repeating the present
township local option law, was next
read and advanced to third reading
without objection. On motion of Cur
ran both bills were made a special or
der on third reading tomorrow.
SUFFRAGE BILL REPORTED.
The house elections committee re
ported back without recommendation
the woman suffrage bill which passed
the senate with a referendum clause. /
The bill was ordered placed upon the /
calendar on second reading.
HOUSE CONTESTS COST $4,000.
Springfield. ILL.,. April Upward Of 4
S25. 600 is the price which the state is +.
TO be called upon 20 pay for ascertain I
ing that 15 contestees. TO whom GER
tificates OF election originally were is
sued by the secretary of state. are en-
titled TO their seats in the lower branch .
OF the general assembly.
Some time ago il was thought that
$4,000 would cover the expenses OF 4
The Is house contests. Chairman Per
kinS has just completed 8 recapitula-
tion OF the expense bills that have been
turned in 10 him. and through these II
was ascertained that the expense al
ready is over s24, coo. with several bills
Yet outstanding.
IN not one instance has the contest
changed the result. Hence the Is CON
testees are to remain in possession of
their seats
The subcommittee which conducted 4
the recounts have prepared their re-
ports to the full committee and these