Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-23

never added anything to wedding or
wake"
Representative Henry of Texas: This
question is one which must be left to the
individual state, and / venture to predict
that after this amendment is voted on
the question Of prohibition will not ap-
pear on the floor as national issue for
20 years.
Representative Saunders of Virginia
argued against the contention that the
amendment would rob the states OF
reserved powers"
The fear of gentlemen that an
army of federal spies, and informers
and officials will invade the states is
but poor argument" he said. THE
army Is there now, spies, informers
and all. 1t is under the internal rev.
enue bureau"
Representative Seldomridge of Col
orado advocating the amendment
warned members that they would be
confronted by their votes on prohibit
ton in the campaign of 1916 THE
liquor question" he said, is no Longer
religious question. 1t is now a politi-
cal and economic problem"
Representative Dickinson Of Missouri
declared he knew not what result
would come from submitting the
amendment to the states, but he be-
lieyed the majority of his people were
entitled to a chance to vote on it.
Representative Small of North Car
DINA asserted that the resolution
would be a disastrous blow to state
rights.
While scores of members left the
floor during the evening hours for
dinner, Rep. Hobson, who remained at
his place on the floor throughout the
long debate, had his dinner served i:r
the chamber, parcelling out time to
speakers rs he ate.
The First Vote
An amendment by Rep. Mann to
submit the prohibition amendment to
state conventions called for the pur-
pose was defeated on rising vote,
1877 to 1913. This was the first vote of
the night. Mr.. Mann demanded a yea
and nay vote and the long roll call be-
gan.
The Mann amendment to submit proh-
bition to state conventions called for the
purpose was defeated on roll call 2l0 to
1f6, the advocates of the Hobson amend
ment generally lining up against 1t. The
amendment had been defeated on a rising
vote 1877 to 1893.
Hobson Takes Floor
Representative Hobson took the floor
shortly before o'clock to make the con-
Guiding speech in support of his amend
ment. He argued against the Morrison
amendment, asserting Congress already
had all the authority which that meas
ure sought to confer. Mr.. Hobson de-
clared the supporters of the resolution
were more consistent that its opponents
in their attitude toward the rights of the
individual states
We believe that three-fourths of the
states of this nation" he said, have the
right as we'll as the wisdom to settle
this question Of national prohibition. We
propose to let the states themselves set
tie it,
He declared the loss of revenue fol-
lowing prohibition would be imma-
terial in comparison to the economic
gain that would result. Replying to
speech of Rep. Heffin, who had de-
ciared that Hobson had been defeated
by Underwood on a prohibition issue
IN the recent Senate primary cam
paign m Alabama, Mr.. Hobson assert
ed that Underwood did not fight
alone, out the liquor interests, Wall
Street and the administration forces
all endeavored to beat Hobson. /"
In conclusion Rep. Hobson declared
that although the resolution might not
nj n ~ thn
In this Congress or the next, prohibi-
ton would be made a national issue
In 1915.
that will not oppose the amendment
either in the open or under cover" he
said.
In Municipal Court
In conclusion Rep. Hobson declar-
ed that although the resolution might
not obtain the necessary two-thirds
vote in this Congress or the next, pro-
hibition would be made a national is
sue in 1916.
I'VE will have an administration
that will not oppose the amendment
either in the open or under cover" he
said.
When the resolution was read for
amendment, Rep. Mann presented an
amendment to submit the prohibition
amendment to conventions to be called
for the purpose He argued that by
this plan the members Of the conven-
tons would be elected on the direct
issue. and the question would be
brought more directly before the peo-
pie. than if submitted to the state
legislatures. Rep. Hobson opposed this
declaring that 1t would place obsta-
cles In the way of the adoption Of the
amendment.
Following the defeat Of the Mann
amendment, Rep. Hobson offered sew
eral perfecting amendments to his res
olution. The first altered the phrase
ology Of the first section of the pro-
posed constitutional amendment and
included q prohibition against any
deportation" os intoxicating liquors.
1t was adopted without division.
Another amendment presented by
Rep. Mann proposed absolute prohibi-
ton Of the manufacture, transporta-
ton, importation and sale of intoXi-