Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-22


which have adjourned for the sum-
mer, shows that among the subjects
which received notable attention was
that Of the prohibition or the regula-
ton Of the liquor trafiic. The legis-
latures Of two states enacted statu-
tory prohibition to become effective
this year, and eight voted to submit
the question of statewide prohibi-
ton to q referendum of the people!
OF the latter, two established statu-
tory prohibition to become effective
in the meantime. Four states where
prohibition is already effective passed
additional restrictive laws and two OF
the five states, where, under constitu-
tional amendment, prohibition is to
go into effect next year. enacted nee
essary statutes for its enforcement.
In six of the so-called wet" states.
statewide proposals met defeat. In
others questions of local option,
TRANSPORTATION and licensing were act
ed upon.
bition laws were passed are Florida
and Alabama. Those whose legisia-
lures voted to submit the question to
the people are Idaho. Iowa, Montana,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah.
Vermont and the territory Of Alaska.
In Iowa, the legislative resolution, ac-
cording to the state constitution. must
be passed by the next succeeding leg
islature, before the people can vote
on it, but the state returned to statu-
tory prohibition meanwhile, through
the repeal Of the So-called mulct law.
Idaho was also made dry" meanwhile
through statutory enactment. In Utah
the bill was vetoed by the Governor
after the legislature adjourned. In
South Carolina, the vote will be taken
at the election this year. in Montana.
South Dakota, Vermont and Alaska
in 1916: Idaho in 1916.
1t will be thus seen that as meas
ure of the progress of the cause Of
prohibition the fifteen states already
in the ranks have this year been en-
forced by four and the legislative way
cleared for four others. including
Alaska, to join. In the latter event
nearly half the country will have
placed the ban on the liquor traffic.
The new Florida law goes into eff
feet October l and prohibits the sale
of alcoholic beverages except in sealed
packages of less than one-half pint
each. nor can liquor be drunk on the
premises where sold. This applies to
restaurants, hotels and clubs as well
as saloons.
The Alabama law was passed over
the veto of Governor Henderson. 1t
becomes operative July 1. In addi-
ton, the legislature enacted an anti
shipping law, which forbids the ship
| ping to an individual of more than
one gallon of liquor or so bottles of
beer a month. Its validity was taken
to the Supreme Court for test. There
was also passed, over the governors
veto. an act forbidding the publica-
ton of liquor advertisements in news
papers and periodicals, on bill boards
or in saloons. This was also taken
| to the courts.
| In Iowa. the repeal Of the mulct
law, under which communities by &
majority petition were allowed to have
saloons operated under a mulct tax
had the effect Of returning the state tt
the statutory prohibition which pre-.
vailed prior to the laws enactment l:
years ago. Content neither with this
or the passage Of the resolution for q
constitutional prohibition amendment
the legislature also enacted II prohibit
ton enforcement bills.
In adopting statutory prohibition
pending the constitutional amend
ment vote, Idaho enacted a provision
conceded to be more drastic than any
ever attempted in the United States
1t makes even ownership Of liquor q
misdemeanor, and on second offense
a felony.
The Montana legislature decided to
refer the question to the people. al
the 1916 election, in the form Of q
statute, after rejecting proposed
constitutional amendment vote. The
law would permit the use of wine fol-
sacremental purposes and in lodge
ceremonial work. If approved, it will
become effective Dec. 81, 1918. In con-
nection with the measure, the legisla-
ture enacted early closing and Sunday
! closing laws for the saloons.
| The general assembly of South Car.
DINA took up large part of it's ses-
sion in discussing prohibition. Be-
sides drafting a statewide law fol
submission to referendum at the
election Of September IL. 1915, the as
sembly enacted a statute which makes
effective in the state the provisions OF
the Webb-Kenyon federal act agains,
the shipment of liquor from wet" tt
dry" territory, South Carolina being
now local option. The statute also
! forbids the shipment Of more thar
one gallon Of alcoholic liquors to any
one person in the state during any
one month.
The South Dakota legislature de.
cided to submit statewide consti.
tutional amendment TO- the general
election in 1916. II carried by a ma.
jority Of the votes cast, it will becam,
effective July /, 1917.
| The statewide prohibition measure
which the Governor Of Utah vetoed
after the adjournment Of the legisla.
ture Of that state had been passed b,
large majorities in both houses. TIT
legislature. however, placed on tn,
statute books a law modelled after thu
Webb-Kenyon law and imposing heavy
penalties for the shipment of liquor
from wet" to dry" territory in the
! state.