Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-22
AYE AND NO VOTE WILL BE TAX
EN- BEFORE ADJOURNMENT y
OCCURS TONIGHT
BITTER Fight ON THE FLOOR
MEMBERS OPPOSED TO MEASURE
MARSHAL FACTS TO THEIR
ASSISTANCE
FEAR CUT IN THE REVENUE
IsoME OF THE VETS THINK THE
COUNTRY CAN'T AFFORD
PROHIBITION

Washington, Dec. q. Cnder spe-
eial rule, which was adopted without
roll call, the house began just after
room today an eignt-nour debate on
the Hobson resolution to submit to
the states a constitutional amendment
for national prohibition. An aye and
mo vote will be reached tonight.
The long delayed hour of an aye
and no vote on constitutional amend
ment for national prohibition came to-
day in the house with almost ten
hours of debate in sight and pros
poets Of vote before midnight. The
house assembled at 10 o'clock this
morning and took up first the rule
for consideration of the Hobson reso-
luton. More than 60 congressman had
signified their intention of speaking.
Representative Henry led off, ex-
planning that the rule made liberal
provision for debate and amendment
Mr.. Henry said he would vote for the
rule, but against the resolution.
Representative EFobaon, author OF
the resolution, spoke supporting the
rule. He said that more than 5000
people had asked congress for the
submission of the amendment
A rolling chorus of ayes" greeted
the question and the house then
plunged into one Of the most interest
ing if not the most spectacular de-
bates of recent years.
The passage Of the rule was con
ceded by those who oppose the Hob
son resolution, many of whom voted
for the rule to get the resolution out
Of the way. Passage of the resolution
requires two-thirds vote and two
thirds vote later in the senate before
it is submitted to the stares. q
Underwood Opposes Resolution
The passage of the rule was preced-
ed by statement by Democratic
Leader Underwood and scattering de-
bate on both sides. Mr. Underwood
made it clear that the democratic
leadership in the house is in favor
Of meeting the issue with vote
Prohibition a Failure
"This is not temperance question Z
he said. at never has been. Prohi-
bition has not produced temperance IN
the lands where it has been tried.
regard this question as an attack On
the fundamental prfscsp5es OF our gov
ernment. If 1t allowed to go on, with
out being met, it vfil mislead many
people. If allowed to proceed without
being combatted the day may come
when 1t may be a serious menace to
the principles of government which
you and / believe in. When the time
comes to face a great question there
Is hut one way to face it. That is in
the open. You can not push it aside.
IF You are right you should have
the courage Of your conviction and
stand for right. Therefore, say to
the members who like myself are op-
posed to this resolution, it is not only
your right, but your duty to face this
question in the open and give the. rea-
sons why we believe it should not be
written into the fundamental law Of
the land"
The debate on the rule has been q
running desultory fire, but with con
sideration Of the resolution itself the
real heavy artillery was unlimbered
lchson Demands Passage
MIR. Hobson led off with an earnes
and dramatic demand for it's passage
He declared a state had a right to b.
dry" and that the liquor business
was an interstate nuisance and tha
there had ever peen a serious confIic
between federal and state laws 70
protection Of the morals Of the people
He portrayed the devastating cffes
Of liquor, "a habit forming