The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-22
HOUSE FOR PROHIBITION,
MORE THAN NECESSARY TWO
THIRD VOTE SECURED FOR
AMENDMENT.
Slight Difference Between Resolution
Passed Yesterday and That Form
crIy Acted OH by Scnate-If This is
SmCothcd Out Legislatures Will
Have Chance.

"i"c HIoiiipitiOIl won III tie mousse TO-
day and only the adjustment Of
slight difference in resolution between
the house and senate now stands in
the way of submitting to State legisla-
lures an amendment to the federal
constitution forbidding the manufac-
ture, sale or importation OF intoXicat-
ing liquor for beverage purposes in
the United States or it's territories.
The vote in the house, taken after
a day OF debate before crowded gal
lcries, was 2S2 to 1873, with the par
ties dividing almost evenly. The mar
gin for prohibition was eight votes
more than the necessary two-thirds
of the membership of the house re-
quired for adoption and 26 more than
two-thirds Of those voting.
Both vets and drys had been pre-
dieting victory all day and it was not
until the last few names had been
called that the antiprohibition forces
conceded their defeat. After Speak
er Clark announced the result the
victors were joined by the galleries in
such demonstration as is rarely per
Eaitted in the house. Former Secretary
Bryan, an interested spectator neal ~
all day. appeared on the floor and
joined in receiving congratulations
with Representative Webb of North
Carolina. who had led the fight.
The resolution passed by the house
is identical with that passed by the
senate last August except that it give:
the States seven years instead Of six
in which to ratify the amendment.
Senator sheppard, author Of the
resolution, predicted tonight that the
senate would accept the amendment
tomorrow. He said he had assur-
ances that the seven years period
would be approved and that lie did
not believe roll call would be neces
sary
The presidents approval is not re-
quired and the State legislatures may
act as soon as they please after the
signatures Of the vice president AMI
tspeaker Clark have been attached to
the resolution.
1T will be submitted tomorrow as
n Christmas present to the American
people," said Sheppard, land 1 believe
il will be ratified within three years. -
Every attempt today to put on
amendments to except light wines
and beer was beaten and 141 Demo
Gratis stood aligned with 1877 Republi-
cans and four Independents to win the
final victory for the prohibitionist
forces.
Following ia the resolution as
|adopted:
Resolved, BY the senate and house
of representatives that the following
amendment to the constitution be and
hereby is proposed to the States, to
become valid as a part Of the consti
tuition when ratified by the legisla-
ture of the several States as provide /
by the constitutions:
Article -, Section AFTER one
year from the ratification of this ar.
ticle the manufacturer, sale or trans
portation OF intoxicating liquor or the
importation thereof into or the expor
tation thereof from the United States
and all territory subject to the juri.-
diction thereof for beverage purposes
Is hereby prohibited.
Sec. 2. The congress and the sew
eral States shall have concurrent.
power to enforce this article by ap.
propriate legislation
"Sec. 3. This article shall be mop
erative unless it shall have been rati-
fed as an act to the constitution by
the legislatures of the several States,
as provided in the constitution within
seven years from the date Of the sub.
mission thereof to the States by the
I congress"
| While the house was debating, q
resolution by Senator Brandegee of
Connecticut. providing a general and
new plan for submission Of constitu-
tionai amendments was favorably re
ported by the senate judiciary com
mittee. 1t provides that all amend
ments shall be acted upon within
eight years after submission and, in
stead of action as at present by State
legislatures that amendments shall be
submitted to votes of the State cleo
tors. The prohibition amendment
probably will be submitted before the
GrandeSee resolution passes and
therefore. will not be affected by it.
All South Carolina representatives,
t<ly 4