Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-05-25
GOV. TURNS DOWN
EVJUE DRY BILL
TELLS LEGISLATURE He WILL
OPPOSE PROHIBITION MEAS.
URE IN PRESENT FORM.
ASKS THAT ACT BE MODIFIED
Proposes Eliminating Section Prohib.
iting Manufacture of Liquor
for Shipment Outside of
State-Favors Making
Wines by Farmers.

Madison, Wis, May 17.-Gov. E. l..
Philip tonight informed the assembly
he would not sign the statewide pro-
hibition bill in its present form. He
suggested amendments and asked that
the bill be recalled.
The changes he proposes included
elimination of the section which pro-
hibits the manufacture of Intoxicating
liquors for shipment outside the state
and to other countries and the section
which prohibits the manufacture of
mild wines by farmers, for use in their
own homes.
The governors statement follows:
To the honorable. the legislature:
Bill No. ETA, popularity known as the
liquor referendum BILL" is before me
for approval. have given it's provi-
sions careful consideration and take
this means of advising you that can
not agree to all of its provisions.
Before discussing my objections to
some of the prohibitions that are in
corporated in the bill wish to make
o brief statement with reference to my
position upon the question of referen-
dunn.
Generally speaking am opposed to
submitting legislation to the people for
their adoption. The system is not prac-
teal because several propositions can
be embodied in one bill. The people
cannot amend it or change 1t and, in
the end, the bill will either be adopted
or fall upon the main questions con-
tanned therein. It may at the same
time contain minor provisions that are
Objectionable, but are carried through
by the larger interests.
Furthermore, in 1914 the question of
an amendment to the constitution pro-
viding for the initiative and referen-
dunn was before the people. 1t was
thoroughly discussed and was voted
down by a vote of $4,000 against 81
655 in favor of the proposition. / OPP
posed the system at that time and
have had no occasion to change my
mind, as / still firmly maintain that
this is representative form of gov.
eminent and those who are selected
to represent the people in the legisla.
ture should Iegislate for them rather
than to pass that duty to the people
themselves.
Approval With Proviso.
However, to be entirely fair with the
bill before us, and to give its friends
an opportunity to submit 1t to the vote
of the people. will waive my objec-
ton to the referendum generally and
will approve of. bill No. STA If certain
Objectionable features that feel that
ought not to agree to are eliminated
BY paragraph (b) of subsection of
section 1569m, as proposed by the bill,
the manufacture of liquor in this state
is prohibited, although 1t is intended
to be sold in another state or country
. where the law permits of it's sale. Not
only is the manufacture prohibited
but, by paragraph (c), no person in
this state is permitted to sell or have
in his possession for sale any liquor,
although it is for consumption in an
other state or country, where the law
permits of it's use.
l maintain that these provisions so
further than it is necessary to esta b.
lish prohibition in the state Of Wis
consin We must not lose sight of the
fact that vast sums of money have
been invested in property in this state
that is used in the manufacture Of liq-
uor, the larger part of which is shipped
out Of the state for consumption in
other states and in other countries.
The brewing industry alone In this
state represents an investment of APP
proximately $54,O0O,000. have no fig
ures available to show the investment
in distfIleries, but no doubt they are
large also.
Sanctioned by Law.
These properties have been built up
under sanction of the law and it seems
only fair and equitable that the manu-
facture for shipment out of the state
shall be permitted to continue, even
though the state adopts the bill before
us, which is an absolutely 'bone dry"
law.
No one will urge successfully that
the closing Of these institutions in the
state of Wisconsin will reduce OF in
any way minimize the consumption of
LIQUOR in other states or other coun-
tries where the sale is not forbidden.
It means simply this: that these prod
ucts. il not manufactured in Wiscon-