The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-23

or hopeful of exciting event than in- terested. In the house MT. Brown of Jackson caused amusement when in jocularity he attempted to speak de- spite ruling to the effect that he had overspoken his limit and laughter was provoked when MT. Sanders of Pike was prevented from making an argu- ment during roll call under the pre- tense of explaining by unanimous con- sent his vote.
 In the senate Mr. Lusk, Mir. Judge and MT. Hill delivered attractive speeches. The only address in the house which was tn any respect ornate was that of MT. Rogers of Sumter county. As rule, members of both houses discussed the effect of alcohol rather than the subject under debate.
 The Debate Begins
 MT. Rogers of Sumter moved that the amendments proposed by the governor b0 adopted. He immediately yielded In order that debate might follow.
 MT. Lapsley of Dallas moved that the several amendments of the governor be considered separately Speaker CarnNch- ael ruled that the motion was not in or der inasmuch as the constitution provided that all amendments must be voted on at the same time.
 MT. Johnston of Madison opened the de- bate. He contended that the members of the legislature had had no direct authority from the people to put into effect state wide prohibition. and argued that the members for that reason, if for no other, submit The question to the vote of the people. He followed this contention by expressing a fear that party loyalty was falling into abeyance.
 The "Wet Nurses"
 Were We in the mapority," he contin- ued, we could authorize the existence of licensed saloons in every county of the state. But had We this authority, not single one of us would be willing to en- act it. We would simply refer the entire matter to the vote of the people of each county of the state. The present majority should do as much. But for the interference of political wet nurses and political luminaries, believe that that course would be followed by the majority. At any rate if you override the will of the people in this regard, I venture the assertion that you will not be able to evade the thought that you have trifled with your consciences."
 MT. Johnston in conclusion presented the petition of the people. He stated that names to the number of 40,000 were at- tached, and that they represented the citi- zens of only s counties. and had been secured as the result of only three days work.
 ldke IOuI Me0lClne .
 MT. Walden of Morgan followed MT. Johnston. He argued against what had been stated that in races for the legisla- ture, prohibition had not been an issue.
 T do not believe" he continued, that any man, it matters not where he lives, could have been elected without commit ting himself to one side or the other" l He then read one of the pamphlets which he issued during his campaign a pamphlet on which he had written his allegiance to statewide prohibition He referred to the legislature of l911 of which body he was member, and to the steam roller which then was put into operation by the local optionists He concluded by advis- ing the local optionists to take their med icine with as much fortitude as possible.
 Some HumOr Injected
 Mir Harvey of Marshall followed. He opened by stating that this is one of the happiest moments of my life." He in- stantly became dramatic, and made use of such terms as ''the horny-handed sons of toii' in the interest of helpless wom- en and children unarmed by the ballot" and others to the same effect. He was followed by Mir Judge of Shelby, who de- nied, as far as he himself was concerned. the meaning of a cartoon printed in The Age Herald of this morning which indi- cated that the Rev. Brooks Lawrence was boss of the majority of the members of the legislature. He denied a soft im- peachment to the effect that he had an &C., quaintance with the gentleman from Ohio.
 'If Jefferson, Mobile and Montgomerv countless he continued, would put about (COutiuued on Page TVvoI