The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-14
Declares That Enabling Act Is
Unconstitutional and an
Utter Makeshift.
GIVES BREWERS MONOPOLY
Protects Wine and Beer Manu-
iacturers by Preventing
Any Competition

Charging that the enabling act as
finally passed by both branches of the
General Assembly yesterday was u
'cowardly makeshift," and that 1t
created an absolute monopoly in tho
manufacture of wine. beer and cider In
this state, Hugh a. White. of Rock
bridge. made a vigorous attack on tho
constltutionality of the bill shortly
before the final vote was taken in tl,e
House OF Delegates. Several able laM-
yers In the House, who rose to reply,
admitted that there was grave doubt
Of Its constitutionality, but expressed
the hope that the court OF last resort
when IL came finally to pass on the
measure, would resolve that doubt in
the way I'm which the people of the
State had expressed themselves at the
polls
Mr.. White contcndcd that the House
was acting contrary to Il universal
rule of parliamentary procedure in
adopting a report OF conference COM
mittee, In which there was new mat
ter, not before considered by the House:
that the bill absolutely gives an un.
aualihed monopoly OF the business of
manufacturing wine, beer and cider in
TINS state TO those now engaged i'm this
business. and that there was absolute
ly no provision made by which tho
bin could be later amended to cure
such defects Mr.. Whites attack on
tho constitutionality OF the bill waa
made on a motion to reconsider tho
vote by which the House adopted tho
report of the conference COMMITTEES. a
motion for the pending question hay-
ing shut off debate In the House on the
main Issue.
Vote on Conference Report.
The House adopted the report of the
cohterees by vote OF 6l to 81, the vore
being as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Adams. Baker, Barley,
nranscomb, Brewer, Browning, Buck,
Chalklcy. Chapman. Cousins, Crockett
Dalton. J. William Daniel, Earman'
Ferebee. Field. Flanagan. Franklin
Grant. Grasty, Gregory. Gordon, Har-
rls. Harrison. Hartley. Harvey, Horner.
run Johnson, Jordan. Kent, Kinsey
Lewis, Lincoln, Love. Lowry, Massie
Meetze Miller, holland. Norris. owen
rage, Termination. Pitts, Powell, Rev
hoDertson, Rolston. Francis w. Smith
Harry Is. Smith. Spessard, Stearnes
Steck' Stephenson, Taylor, Terrell
Walton, III. c. Weaver, White. Williams
Willis. Winston. Woodward-s4
Noes-Messrs. Birrell. Bonifant, Cav
thorn Clement, Cummins. Dodson.
Duke Easley, Green. Gum Helm. Hob
Montague. Myers. Nelson oliver Phil
pott. Powers. Price. Radford. Reed
Spatig, Stubbs. Tiffany, Toney A. q.
weaver. Speaker CoX---3l
Four Sign Conference Rrport
Immediately after the opening pre-
liminarics, Judge Martin Williams pre-
sented the report OF the conference
committee on the enabling act, known
as House bill No. .. The conference re-
port was read by the clerk. III pro-
posed in brief that the Senate amend.
ments inserting OH tho ballot FOR To-
cal option" in lieu of tho term against
Statewide prohibition" he not concur
red in; that the proposed election be
fixed for the fourth Tuesday in Septem-
Der. 1914: that the qualification of
voters be as provided by tho Senate
amendments; that In event Of the state
voting for Statewide prohibition, IL
shall take effect November 1, 1916; and
that the Senate anendmSnts as to wine.
beer and cider be agreed to. with cer-.
tain amendments. The conference re-
port was signed by Senators Mapp and
Echois and Delegates Williams and
Barley. On tho part of himself and
Senator Holt. who composed the minor
ity on the conference committee. Mr..
Oliver presented a statement which he
desired to offer as minority report.
Judge Williams on point of order.
objected thnt there could be no such
thing as a minority report OF confer
cnce committce-rthe members could
merely object rs individuals. Speaker
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