The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1913-03-13
HOT TIMES AHEAD
IN STATE POLITICS.
Prohibition May Again Become
An Absorbing Issue.

Folk for the Senate Against StOne-Pub.
lie Utilities Board Assured - Big
Measures Disposed Of by the Legis.
IatHre Soon to Adjourn.
Jefferson City, March 10. - This
week and next will end the regular
session Of the Forty'seventh general
assembly. The seventy day period
expires on Tuesday Of next week,
when the per diem Of five dollars
day for senators and members will cease.
After that day their pay will be but
one dollar a day. Not many Of them
will care TO prolong their stay under
such pay-in fact few OF them can
afford to do SO. So the main business
of the session will be hurried to com
pletion this week. Already the big
measures have been disposed Of. The
act creating board Of five commits
sioners to regulate the service and
rates OF railroad, street railway and
other transportation companies, Of gas,
electric and water companies, Of tele'
phone, telegraph and express com
panies and Of companies engaged in
other public service business has beer
enacted, and companion bill abolish
ing the board Of railroad and warehouse
commissioners (elected by the people }
and creating the Office OF warehouse
and grain commissioner has been put
through, SO that two Of the railroad and
warehouse commissioners -- John A.
Knott, democrat, and Frank A. Wight
man, republican-may be placed on
the public service commission and
James T Bradshaw, the third commits
sioner, elected last year, may be made
warehouse and grain commissioner.
The measure OF most importance
from the political standpoint is, strange
to say, nonpartisan, 1t is the county
unit local option bill passed in the
senate last week. 1t had previously
passed the house BY large majority.
1t was generally believed that the sen
ate would defeat it, but it had strength
in that body to override an uniavorable
committee report and to get on the
calendar for immediate consideration.
In fact, on final roll call, it had two
more votes than its friends had claimed.
To pass a bill Is votes are required.
This holly contested bill got 20 votes,
and went to the hands Of the governor
strong enough to demand the most
considerate treatment as the product
Of the large majority Of members and
senators whose votes put it through.
The Anti-Saloon League has been
fighting for this legislation for more
than ten years. Last year it was made
an issue in the campaign for member
ship in the Legislature. Some very
slrong men who. would not stand for il
went down in defeat. Quite number
OF members and senators who do not
personally approve it voted for it at the
request of their constituents. Its en-
actmeut opens up again the prohibition
issue as it is virtually a prohibition
measure. 1t makes possible a vote on
local prohibition in every county in the
state as it compels the cities and towns
to vote with the country precincts
on the question for the sale Of intox
icating liquors" or against the sale
OF Intoxicating liquors." All affirma
tive majority in county where liquoi
is sold only in cities Of $500 population
or more will make the entire county
wet, while majority against the sale
Of liquor will make both county anC
cities dry. Under the old law count,
could be voted dry and a city containing
more than $500 population could vot
, separately and be wet or dry as tn
r voters preferred. II, as is now pro
4 posed, the vets submit this bill 10 tn
t vote Of the entire state, under tn
: referendum, the vote OF ST. Louis
e Kansas City, St. Joseph and other we
centers and the vote Of the hfiee