Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-01-24
THREE DEMOCRATS
VOTE AGAINST BILL
Republicans Lined Up Solid
ly Against Measure First
Test in the House on Adj
ministration Bill-Lively
Debate on Merits of Pro
posed Law.

On the first test on an administra-
ton bill on final passage before the
met with defeat in the house Of repre-
sentatives today, when by vote of 81
to 81 house bill No. 4, seeking to give
the governor power to remove sherl1s
and prosecuting attorneys for failure
to enforce the prohibition laws, intro
duced by Representative Anderson or
Canyon, was lost. The bill was recon-
mended by the governor in his message
to the legislature.
Party lines were drawn, the Republic
can minority opposing the measure and
a majority of the Democratic majority
standing for it. The switching of three
votes from the Democratic majority
those of Albrethsen of Blaine, Huss-
man of Idaho and Welsh of Canyon,
gave the minority side enough votes
to defeat it. Cannon Of Gilmore and
Lehrbas of Bannock were not present
when the vote was taken
WAS ISSUE OF DAYS SESSION.
This measure was made the issue of
the days session. 1t has been eau
cused on both sides of the house. The
judiciary committee which considered
1t divided into two camps. The Demo-
cratic members were for it; the Re-
publican members against 1t. Major
ity and minority reports were sub
mitted to the house, the first that the
bill do pass and the second that it do
not pass. Majority Leader Moody was
apparently aware of the close margin
the majority had to pass the bill for
he made several unsuccessful attempts
to delay the taking of the vote. He
first asked that it be made a special
order for tomorrow. The motion lost
by a vote of 81 to 81. Moody and
Johnston, of the minority, jokingly
crossed over the flibuster. The latter
demanded n reason for the special or
der. Moody replied, 1T is not a ques-
ton Of why, but to do or die" and that
SO far as the Democrats were con-
cerned they had caucused on the meas
ure. Johnston was quick to reply that,
as II appeared he was not at the eau
Gus and knew not its action, he would
object. Moody then moved that the
Sergeant alarms proceed to secure
% can-openers to open up the joke"
MCGOWAN of Latah. said that he could
not hear the remark and as the minor
ity always liked good jokes he wished
Moody would speak louder but he did
not repeat the statement.
BY caucus agreement, evidently, a
member from each side spoke for and
against the measure, aside from the
author, Anderson of Canyon who urged
its passage. This honor was assigned
to Ada county representatives.
NOT AGAINST DRY LEGISLATION
Driscoll spoke for the Republican
minority. At the outset he said he
wanted to impress upon the maiority
minority, visitors and the press that
the Republican members of the
house. including himself were not OPP
posed to prohibition legislation and
we're willing to go as fas the the
majority in enactins legislation enforc-
ing the laws. Having made this plain
he attacked the bill on the alleged
grounds it is unconstitutional because
it places in the hands of one man. the
governor, too great power. He also
held 1t was in opposition to the Dem
ocratic policy of letting the people rule
and appealed to the Democrats to de-
feat it.
BATES REPLIES.
Bates Of Ada replied meeting the
argument as to the constitutionality OF
the rCposed act. holding that it came
easily within the requirements of the
constitution and gave the governor q
weapon that would enforce prohibition
laws and wipe out the bootlegger.
On the roll call which followed, the
Republicans voted solidly against the
bill. The Democrats with the excep-
tior. of those named voted for it, Welsh
of Canyon explained his vote by say
Ing that he was as dry as any man and
believed as strongly in prohibition, but
he was against the principle involved
in the measure in the giving Of such
extensive power to one man.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Hardly without debate the house
passed the MCGOWAN memorial to con.
gress urging the passage of fedora
constitutional amendment abolishinf
the manufacture and sale of intoxi
eating liquors. Hitchcock of Bonner
and Lehrbas of Banock were the onl,
two members voting against the me-
mortal The resolution contained with.
IN it follows:
Resolved. That we, the house o.
representatives OF the state Of Idaho
he senate concurring, do hereby me
morialize the congress of the United
States Of America that 1t provide fol
submission to the people of these Unit
I'd States Of constitutional amend
mant providing for the absolute abol.
lshment Of the liquor traffic. boil