The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-21
OPTION BILL BEATEN


Continued Ere. Firss rass.
of the Anti-Saloon League or any 9th
er organization, but under the name
of government by the people" If any
combination of business and political
interests blocks the popular will.
After Mr.. Williams speech the
House ON motion of Mr.. Kits. Erie,
rescinded. its action limiting speeches.
Kits Opposes the Bill
Mr.. Kits said he had no interest in
the bill, but he was sent to Harrisburg
to represent his constituents and not
the Chief Executive.
''The friends of local option" he
said. '.are not striving for local option
but Statewide prohibition. This ques-
ton was settled last November as con-
elusively as any question was ever set
tled-as eonclusively as Mr.. Willard
settled the championship down in
Havana. One hundred and forty.four
members of this Legislature are openly
pledged against local option. 1t is not
demanded by the people. The unit is
wrong. Do you mean to tell me that
lMiddletown can, by its votes say il
Harrisburg can have bari
ne RtupAc Ol thtS otate arc StlIEtu
to frenzy. Do YOU want them or the
calm judiciary TO decide whether there
should be license or not.f would rather
trust this question to Judiciary than to
the Y. ". c. A. and the women 5
clubs.
Mr.. Kits denied that local option
was put in the platform of the Demo-
cratic party by legal methods, saying
that the State Central Committee, which
met in Harrisburg, prepared the plat
form. He said that the Democrats of
the House have been reminded OF the
platform pledge. He urged the members
OF the House TO stand up for their own
pledge, despite the fact that the Chief
Executive announced that he would
stump against the foes of the biil when
they came out for reelection.
Mr.. Graham, of Philadelphia. said he
thought that the Williams bill was a
reasonable measure and was step in
the right direction, while il would not
cure all ills
| Assails Governor Attitude
Admonishing the members of the
House TO have no fear for they are the
| servants of the people whom they rep
resent. Mr.. Boyer, of Philadelphia, said;
The church people started this agita
tion and are trying to enforce moral
measure through coercion. We must
look to the people for their wishes on
legislation and not to the Governor OF
the Commonwealth. We are asked to
pass this bin. not because of the de.
mands of the districts but because the
/ Governor wants il.
Mr.. Beyer asked where local option
would end. He said if counties had the
right to vote on local option they would
have the right to vote on Sunday base
ball or vaccination.
Governor Brumbaugh's attitude in
behalf of the bill was asssiled by Mr.
Boyer as objectionable and ne said
that ne questioned the propriety OF
some of the Governor s efforts. During
| his speech Mr.. Bever declared that il
was not for the Legislature to pass toe
many restrictive laws and that there
were lines Of demarkation between the
Executive and legislative branches OF
the government.
| Men opposed 10 local option have
firm opinions about the right of the
/ people 10 rule and the people expressed
u
Members Eat Lunch in Seats
Mr.. Boyer declared that the policy
embodied in the bill "brutalizes gov
ernment and discreiits the church
Further on the Philadelphia member
asserted il is not the function of the
Legislature or the Governor to teaet
men 10 be Industrious and sober, bu,
rather that of the clergy. There is S
tendency to make too many laws, sale
ne. He quoted Governor Brumbaugh ;:
| inaugural address and then remarked
that time had been consumed over 10
cal option which should have been EN-
ployed in enacting important legisla
/ tion.
During the speeches a number of the
members had lunch brought in and sa
at their desks munehing sandwiche:
while the orators went on.
! Mr.. Herman. of Wyoming. said tn,
bill viii not prohibit the sale of liquor
in counties where the majority is il
favor of it. 1t will restSre to the peo
pie the right that was taken away from
them by the Legislature and given intC
the hands of the judiciary.
1.-The principle of the bill is right
thoroughly republican and democratic, ;
he said. THE people who elected
Governor Brumbaugh demanded tn,
passage Of this bill. The organized liq
uor interests is the Gibraltar behin(
these legislative halls and they hav,
thus far been able to throttle the peo
pie, fill our almshouses and insane asy
lums.
Speaking. he said, as member o.
the State Republican Executive Com
mittee. Representative Ramsey, of Del
aware, told why the committee did no
insert a local option pledge in its plat
form.
"More than two-thiris of that com
mittee,' he said, event before tn
people in direct opposition to loea
ticket. 1t was carried into the election
and it is needless 10 say that the peo
pie have ruled on this question.
"Is il any worse for liquor lobb,
to operate in the House than for tn
Governor of this State to send hi
agents out through the Commonwealth
lobbying for the binf Does this bill
eliminate booze' 1t does not. 1
gives the rich man an opportunity t
fill his wine cellar and the poor ma
must ride or walk to Philadelphia t
get a glass of beer"
Blind Member for Option
Mr.. Lanius, of York, the blind mem
IL