The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-03-07
HOW CONGRESS PASSED THE
BILL
Story of the Triumph of the Interstate
Liquor Measure

Liquor Measure
It is a real and true fact that the
Webb-Kenyon interstate liquor bill
has passed both houses of congress,
and is now in the hands of the presl-
dent of the United States awaiting his
signature. The battle which has been
fought for thirty years is, we believe,
coming to a final victory.
Saturday, February 8, 1913, will be.
remembered as the day the Webb in
terstate liquor bill passed the house.
That body convened at 1890 o'clock
instead of at noon, as is usual. Word
had gone out that this measure would
be considered, the galleries were filled
and friends and enemies OF the bill
were on hand Every parliamentary
tactic was brought forward to prevent
its being discussed. Party lines were
laid aside, and republicans and demo-
Gratis We'd with each other in their
zeal to place obstacles in it's way.
Representative Dalzell, Representa-
tive Fitzgerald, ex-Speaker Cannon
and others delivered imprisoned
speeches against bringing forward
this wholly unnecessary legislation
at this time" To this Representative
Henry of Texas replied: "Mr. Speak
er, l maintain that the question OF
controlling and regulating the liquor
traffic is as important as any appro-
priation bill. Permit me to assert
that it is today as vital and impor-
tant as is the life of the republic it.
self" Three hours were allowed for
discussion-one hour and a half for
either side.
AS soon as the bill was read, doz-
en- amendments arose to confront it,
but some of these died an early death.
However, while some of the fine-point
lawyers were arguing away at great
rate, Speaker Clark made character
istic ruling as to what constitutes an
Intoxicating liquor" The speaker
after listening to these arguments as
long as he could, with bank of his
gavel, said: Anything that makes a
man drunk is intoxicating. Proceed
with the bill
When, at s.: As the vote on the bill
was taken, it stood 239 yeas to Ga
nays, you can well realize that we
left the capitol with glad, thankful
hearts.
The following Monday, February 10, !
had been set apart for the discussion
Of the Kenyon bill in the senate.
Here, too, the galleries were crowded, 7.
and at 1880 the discussion began, and
for several hours the debate was car
ried on with vigor.
One of he interesting speeches OF
the day was made by Senator Webb /
of Tennessee, who has been a direct
or of a boys school in that state, and
who ook the oath only few days
ago to serve out a short term to I'LL
the vacancy caused by the death of
Senator Taylor. He made an earnest
temperance appeal that enlivened the
proceedings and stirred the temper |
ance advocates in the senate galleries
to great applause.
Senator Kenyon's desk was piled
high with law books, but the time
was so taken up that only five min
utes in which to explain his position |.
were allowed him.
The voting began one minute aft
er six o'clock, and the test vote TAX |
en- on an amendment reported by the !
judiciary committee stood 81 to %.
Then, after having perfected the Ken
yon bill, the senate proceeded to wipe !
the slate clean, and by substituting |
the Webb bill undo everything it had !
done. There was no roll call on the !
vote by which the Webb bill was sub
stituted.
The bill is now in the hands of the :
president, awaiting his signature.
During the discussion of the bill
in the senate a reporter from the At
lanta Constitution waited upon Mrs !
Henry Harris Armor, who was one of
our party in the senate gallery, re-
questing her to prepare for that paper
a statement on the fight for this legis-
lation. This shows how the views
and sentiments of the w. c. T. U. are
sought by the press, who have come
to realize that the work and influence
of this organization are a recognized
power.-Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis, Ma
tional w. c. T. U. Superintendent of
Legislation, Washington, D. c., in I'm