Evening journal., 1913-03-27
PEOPLES COLUMN
URGES GOVERNOR MILLER TO
SIGN.


To the Editor OF THE EVENING
JOURNAL.
Sir:--l note in the columns OF the
press much comment, and especially
the plea OF the liquor traffic regard
ing the unconstitutionality of the
Webb bill passed by the last Congress
to prevent the shipmeunt Of alcoholic
liquors from territory where its sale
is licensed to territory where its sale
is prohibited; also the effort Of the
local whisky dealers to cry" discrimln-
alton" over the passage OF the bill by
the Legislature of this State to en-
force the provisions Of the Webb bill
in Delaware | desire to state as
concisely as practicable the real posi-
ton Of the friends OF these measures:
First.-The United States Supreme
Court has repeatedly decided. that
without some legislation by Congress
declaring Or defining the status Of
Intoxicating liquors. I'm view OF the
revenue derived from the sale OF such
intoxicants. that body would declare
Intoxicating liquors to the Interstate
commerce articles With this In view
bill to define the status OF intoXi-
eating liquors was introduced and
passed IT the last session of Congress,
such bill being known as the Webb
bill. ltNcompetely takes away from
Intoxicating liquors the protection OF
interstate commerce laws In view Of
its past decisions, the Supreme Court
can do nothing more than to declare
the bill constitutional
Second.-To place I'm effect he pro-
visions Of this bill. it is necessary to
have some State law providing a pen
atty for violations OF the prohibitory
measure of the Webb bill; and such
a bill was introduced and passed by
the present Legislature, after almost
numberless petitions we're sent TO that
body urging the passage of the bill,
as a ml6llment OF the platforms OF
both parties in this State. both de-
claring the enforcement Of the local
option laws in Kent and Sussex coun-
ties This bill Is now in the hands
OF Governor Miller for HIS action
The liquor dealers are eXerting ey-
cry effort TO arouse the sympathies
OF the public by crying "discrimln-
alton in favor OF outside Dealers"
such course defining very clearly
the method of this menace to good
society. They cry that the Webb bill
is unconstitutional, and, If It u.s. then
there Is no eoHstisg,ioaalisy III the bill
passed by the Legislature Of this
State, but II II Is why lose several
months effective enforcement Of this
measure in the counties where the
people have already decided its sale
will not be legalized
Third-The liquor dealers have
also claimed they pay taxes. and are
entitled to the profits accruing in the
sale Of liquors into the two lower
counties They pay taxes and license
fees for the sale in Wilmington and
rural New Castle county. but have no
legal right to its sale outside OF this
territory; and they have no inherent
right to sell anywhere.
II the pledges of the Republican
party I'm this State are to be kept,
Governor Miller will sign the BILL
knowing full well that II the Webb
bill is unconstitutional. this bill is
also; but H. on the other hand. the
Webb bill Us declared constitutional,
the law will have been enforced In
this state pending its action by the
United states Supreme Court. during
which time there likely viii be an
other election in Delaware.and re-
CARELESS OF the statement OF Repre-
sentative Hammond Of Sussex county.
that II am getting tired hearing about
&C." very much will be heard about il
two years hence believe that a
representative. who distegards the
wishes OF his constituency as Repre-
sentative Hammond did. will hear a
great deal moro about IL in future,
than has been heard by him in the
past. Very truly yo-rs.
c. p. KITCHEN
Wilmington. Del. March 2h. 1913