Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1915-02-11
THE PROHIBITION
ISSUE BOILING
At BOISE
HEATED ARGUMENT FOR AND
AGAINST PROHIBITION IN
LEGISLATURE.
NEPO7|SM BILL IS PASSED
Bill Providing for Farm Director Pass
House-Tax Commission Uunder
Fire-Summary of Last Week.

The prohibition issue is still boiling
down at Boise and the efforts of the
Legislators seem to be largely directed
to the passage of stringent legislation
with reference to liquor traffic. Mon
days session was especially spirited.
To Prohibit After Jan. 1, 1915.
The bill which would prohibit the
sale of liquor in the state after Janu-
ary l, 1916, was recommended by the
committee Of the whole for passage
without any amendment, following
lively session of the house. This vic
tory exceeds the fondest hopes that
the "dries' had at the opening of the
session.
+" Passionate appeals were made on
both sides Of the question. Kiger,
who, is the real champion Of the pro-
posed measure, delivered the first ads
dress. He reviewed the effects of the
liquor tra.Iic and pointed out the prob
able effects of recent laws if this bill
does not go through.
"North Idaho is going to become
the dumping ground of Spokane and
eastern Washington just as soon as the
prohibition laws of that state go into
effect. ] live in clean town and we
up there do not desire to have our state
flooded with that sort of people, he
said.
Davis of Shoshone was quickly on
his feet and made his appeal for the
brewers.
'"Let me appeal to you for justice, -
he said. "These brewers put their
money into the business under the law
and have been and are doing legi-
innate business.
He then pointed out how money has
been invested in different parts of the
state.
Hull remarked "In our part of the
state they made the brewery into a
paper MILL
"And over with us they made one
into flour min,' stated johnson.
= The bill prohibits the manufacture,
disposal and transportation of .ntoxi
eating liquors for beverage purposes
An attempt was made to make the
measure more drastic by inserting the
word possession" but this was voted
down.
Without amendment the statewide
bill came through the committee. The
mejotity of the committee on privileges
and elections had recommended an
amendment to the bill that would pro
hibit the possession of liquor. The
authors of the, bill looked ON the offer
ing of the amendment as a hostile
move and it was Overwhelmingly voted
down.
No roll call it taken of the actor
in the committee of the whole, SO the
exact sentiment of the measure coult
not be ascertained, but it was appar
ent that few votes would be registered
against it when it comes up For fina
passage. Should the bill become law
it will make the state dry January !
1916. The Legislature has ALREADY
adopted joint resolution which, ap
proved by the people, will make tn,
state constitutionally dry May l, 1917
Only one speech was made in genera
debate against the bill. Davis o.
Shoshone. democrat, while not oppos
ing the principle of prohibition, urget
that the Legislature be content with th'
constitutional amendment. He mad
his plea on behalf of the manufactur
ers, declaring that passage of the bill
would mean confiscation Of their prop
erty. He urged that the Legislature
leave the question to the people to de
eide and give the manufacturers
fair deal.
In reply, Hull of Kootenai, demo
crat, declared that the dry wave start
ed across the country five years ag
and that the liquor men have ha
plenty of time to divert their none,
into other channels, but instead of dc
ing so they attemepted to stem tn
fChnt;uuad an xooo ~