The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-03-03

Bill Was Reported Out Of consmIttes
Without Recommendation and ~
vIous Question 4 Once hlovsd-
Action in Sharp contrast Wlth
the Long Discussion Il Prsvious
Session.

L
call Of the House which held all the
members not properly excused ii their
seats, the House Of Representatives
killed the county unit local option bin.
Two years ago fifty days were spent
| in discussion of q temperance bill; the
spirit Of members became intolera1t;
| friendships were destroyed and AMI
mosities created. The debates were
long -drawn-out and bitter, and legis-
lation in genera was handled not
upon the merits Of the measures sub
mitted, but upon basis OF barter for
votes pro and con upon the temper
ance question. The interests Of the
state were at standstlll during the
fifty days of acrimony; no matter OF
moment could be or was given
| thought, for to present to the House
| a measure meant but to make it the
subject Of traffic for the men who
were contending for and against the
Temperance, bill.
Reaction From Last Session.
This year the members Of the
House who had served two years ago
felt that they would, IL they could do
SO, prevent recurrence Of the scenes.
and 50 the docility Of the action, when
men voted their sentiments without
passion and without resort to the dra-
matte. may very properly be said to
be reaction from the violence Of the
last session.
There were but few who expected
the House to consider the bill.
LIT was messaged over from the Sem
ate late Thursday, and the general
opinion was that, while it would be
reported out at an early date. It would
hardly reach the calendar before the
early days of next week.
The Anti-Saloon League leaders had
been begging for an early report, and
seemed to fear that the rules commit
tee, to which the measure had been
referred BY the speaker, might at
tempt to bottle 1t up. Therefore the
action Of this committee in so prompt
~ reporting out the bill without pre-
judice and without recommendation
came somewhat in the nature of a
surprise, Notwithstanding the current
rumor that such action was contem-
plated.
Calendar WINS Clear.
The House had acted upon several
bills in the morning, and had pretty
well cleared the calendar when noon
| time came. The rules committee
therefore was convened during the
noon hour, and the county unit bill
was reported.
AS quickly as the measure was
read, DR.: Beech OF Mason moved that
the measure be indefinitely postponed,
| and the motion was quickly seconded
by Davis, chairman of the appropria-
| lions committee.
While the words putting this ques-
ton were still upon the lips Of the
speaker, Wright Of King arose and
was recognized. He was supporter
| Of the bill. and those in the gallery
who had come expecting oratorical
| fireworks settled back in their seats
| for the scene Quietly and with no
oratorical effort, the King county man
said:
Shuts on Speeches.
Il take it that the members of this
House know how they intend to vote
On this bill. Not man can be moved
by any speech which might be made
here, and the pleasant personal rela-
lions OF the members might, and prob
ably would be. disturbed by such
speeches. therefore, ii the interests
Of all Of us, move the previous CUES.
| tion.''
There was q general affirvative nod
not q token Of dissent. And the
House 30 ordered.
"A call Of the House brought III the
| few members who had, not expecting
the measure to come up. strayed out
into the state house on matters Of
business. When they had been
brought to the bar Of the House
there were but four absentees, and
they were absent with leave and all
with valid excuses. The roll eau was
orderly and the answers Of members
we're distinct The result. the indefi-
mite postponement Of the measure BY
1.-THE vote Of 80 to ~. s N
Even had every one Of the mem
bers been present, and had al OF
them voted for the measure, the re-
sult would have been unehanged
a motion to reconsider, which mo-
ton was tabled, closed tho act and