The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-24

While Mr. Hobson has always been
Democrat, st IL known that ne would not
hesitate TO desert that party II at any
time a plank is put In the national pat
form expressly disappearing the move
anent for the suppression OF the hquor
traffic.
I. was notably in the debate yesterday
that such conspicuous Republican leaders
M Representative Mann arrayed them-
selves against the prohibition movement
Mr. Mann will in all probability be
candidate for the Republican presidential
nomination in 1915. Despite his AMBITIOUS
In this regard. his trends say that he
lost nothing by opposing prohibition as
presented in the Hobson resolution.
Mr.. Mann's exposition was based on the
theory that regulation of the traffic ~
a function for exercise by the states.
and that Federal prohibition a. proposed
would do more harm than good
II il known that the recognized leaders
Of both the old parties will fight any
movement that may be made within the
old ORGANIZATIONS to make prchlpitoh u
national issue They realize that the
question IL bound L. provoke "A great
deal of trouble and are prepared to wit
ness the bolt TO the thiru party Oh ne
publicans and Democrats who are OF me
opinlon that suppression OF the liquor
tra6lc il the biggest issue before the
American people.
II became known here to-day that upon
his retirement from Congress on March !
Mr.. Hobson will establish headquarters
In Washington from which he will direct
the prohibition organization. Mr.. Hobsor'
win continue the agitation ana keen TABS
on the two old parties. That Mr.. HoDson
will bolt the Democratic pai,S =" .'.3o
the so-called liquor interest attains what,
in his opinion, may he position oil
domination over that organization Is gen
orally believed.
Mr.. Hobson and his associates are In a
happy frame of mind over the vote on
prohibition in the House last night. They
declared that prohibition made more I'M
pressive showing in that body under al
circumstances than they expected. They
INDUCED the prophecy that IN a com
paratively short time Congress Would
submit a prohibition amendment 10 tht
States for ratification.
Prohibition advocates claim they made
a better showing in the House last might
than was represented in some OF the press
reports this morning There seems 10 bt
some difference among some Legislative
experts as to whether the constitutions
amendment must poll two-thrds OF thu
whole membership of either house or two
thirds OF those present and voting
9I Shy OF Two-Thirds.
IN tne lheoiN NNh' sun az "''' ''"''''"
must have two-thirds of the whole mem
bership, the drys last night fell ninety
one votes short in their fight TO brin'
about a nationwide drought. The vote ol
the Hobson resolution was 1871 for, 1S
against and one member voting present
A majority of the present House is 2lI
so on these figures the prohibition advo
Gates lacked ninety-one votes OF a two
thirds majority ana just twenty votes shor
Of an actual majority
Senator Rorah OF Idaho sad to-da
that the question as to wh"'ner cnnst'l
tlonal amendment should have a two-thlrd
majority Of The whole membership o
merely two-thrds of those voting ha
never been legally tested. The anti
saloon advocates insist that only a two
thirds majority of those voting is needed
This being conceded the Hobson resolutio
last night carried by three votes in eXces
Of an actual majority.