Smyrna times., 1913-02-12
CONGRESS VOTES TO KEEP
LIQUOR OUT "DRY" STATES
TWO COUNTIES OF DELAWARE
AFFECTED BY LEGISLATION

Temperance Folks of Smyrna, Clayton
and Vicinities EIated Over the Pro-
gress and Hope Taft Will Sign
Temperance folks of Smyrna and
all over Delaware are pleased at the
action of Congress in passing the
Interstate bill against shipping
liquors into dry territories. When
the President attaches his signature
and it becomes a law the fight and
prayers for years will have been an
swered. The good people of Smyrna,
especially our loyal band of White
Ribboners, rejoice in the progress
made. Its great step in temper
ance reform and will mean much to
"dry' Kent and Sussex counties, as
we'll as to local option districts all
over the land. The final action of
Congress in the matter was taken
yesterday. Without a record vote,
but by an overwhelming majority, the
senate yesterday afternoon passed the
bill intended to prohibit the shipment
of Intoxicating liquors into stat es
which have prohibition laws, and
thereby achieved the greatest victory
for the cause of temperance that was
ever won in the congress of the Unit
ed States. For the measure passed
by the senate, is the Webb bill,
which passed the house on Saturday,
and the legislation is, therefore, COM
| plete and will become law when the
president signs the measure. By this
measure state officers may seize
liquor, even though part of inter
state commerce, if the liquor is to be
used in violation of state laws.
Liquor Men No Longer Dominate
The great Importance and signf-
cance of this legislation is that it
demonstrates that the liquor interests
no longer exercise a dominating force
in politics, and that the better senti-
ment of the American people is recog-
nized by very great majority in
both houses of congress, as being de-
cidedly against such insolent domina-
tion as has heretofore been exercised
by those interests. 1t demonstrates
too, or is thought to, that the other
special interests which are struggling
now to maintain their hold upon
legislation and politics find the
alliance they formerly maintained
with the liquor interests too heavy a
burden to carry. 1t is true that the
old familiar cry that the constitution
was about to be violated was raised,
and raised with greatest vehemence
by Senator Root, always the cham
piOn of special privilege. 1t was
also raied by Senator Sutherland, who
stands always with Root as a cham
piOn of the constitution whenever it
is argued that something for the gen.
eral welfare may be accomplished
so, too, Smoot, of Utah, and Crane,
of Massachusetts, and other never-sur-
rendering, never-learning never-seeing
members of the Republican old guard
did all they could to prevent the ac-
tion taken.
Richardson for Bill and DUPONT Against
But the full strength of the sup
porters of privilege was not arrayeC
against the bill. Such of them as the
whisky manufacturers and lobbyists
could persuade or force to fight the
measure, were active. Among them
were men like Bradley and Paynter,
of Kentucky, known to be representa-
tives of liquer interests, and making
) the fact exceedingly plain in the pro.
ceedings. But Senator Gallinger, o1
New Hampshire, was one of the most
ardent and obviously most sincere ad-
vocates of the measure and Republi.
! cans like Nelson, Minnesota, openly
opposed the liquor traffic. When it i:
, considered that the effort to get this
: legislation has been continuous fol
the last six or eight years. Mon.
days action shows great progress.
The strength therefore of the liquor
interests was shown to be not greater
than twenty-one. Senator Penrose
was absent but was paired against the
bill. Senator Oliver voted with the
majority on the committee amend
ment, as did Senator Richardson, oi
Delaware. Senator DUPONT, of Del
, aware, voted against it. MARITIME, OF
New Jersey, also voted with the liquor
, men on every roll call. Briggs, Of
New Jersey, was not present.
I Preehvfarian Church Announcennanf,