The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-12-18
HOUSE PASSES
DRY RESOLUTION
Prohibition Forces Win After
Spirited Debate.
The VOTE 282 TO 1928
Constitutional Amendment Needs
Ratification of Three-fourths of
States to Become Effective.

Was u%,un. lies. lS.-TAe house OF
Representatives adopted by vote OF
2S2 10 l2S. the resolution propos-
ing an amendment. TO the federal CON
sritu;.on prohibiting the manufacture,
sale. transportation and importation
of Intoxicating liquors in the United
States.
I'd the terms of the resolution
the nation will be dry if three-fourths
OF the states ratify the amendment
within seven years. The dry" forces
had nine votes to spare over the re-
Quired number to adopt the resolution.
which passed the senate on August 1.
Prohibition leaders in Washington
declared that there was not the slight
/ est doubt that the amendment will be
ratified within seven years.
William Jennings Bryan character
lied The victory as the most import
AMI step in the achievement Of the
greatest moral reform of genera
ton" and unhestitatingly predicted
that three years will not pass before
the liquor traffic takes its place with
slavery and other dead institutions"
The house passed the resolution
after q FIJI day of talking. Nearly
fifty speeches were made for and
against the measure. Many of the
members. having been elected on
strictly prohibition issues, regarded
the occasion as an opportunity for
them net only to make good to their
constituents with their vote, but to
add to the general fund OF words with
whoCp:ng speeches.
Many others were disappointed,
however, as only actual speeches
made on the floor will get into the
Record Efforts Of several members
to ada written but undelivered
species to their remarks were de-
featcd On objection by Representative
Stafford. Of Wisconsin,
Representative Graham. of Pennsyl-
vanta. led the Republican attack on
the measure and delivered a scath-
ing ARA gnment of what he called a
prohibition to permit a minority of
the people Of the United States to i'm
pose thei" will upon a possible ma
iority in states where legislatures will
not ratfv the amendment. Represen-
tative Webb, of North Carolina, chair
man of the house judiciary committee.
led the Democrats who favored the
resolution.
The big vote for it was a surprise.
The resolution had been expected to
pass But the number of affirmative
votes indicated that many congress-
men jumped on a winning horse at
the last minute.
The house passed the resolution
precisely as it was reported from the
judiciary committee. Attempts were
made by the vets TO inject an amend
nlenJ BXcuuIug beer anu ngnJ wines
from its provisions. but were voted
down. Representative Henry j.
Steele. Of Northampton county, Penn
sylvania, offered an amendment to
make il possible for any state to re-
call its action on the amendment at
any time before the necessary three
fourths Of all the states have actually
ratified the amendment. This, too,
was voted down.
Every argument used for and
against prohibition was called up In
the speeches Of the debaters. Much
stress was laid on the seven-year
limitation. Strong prohibitionists op-
posed it. others were Indifferent to
it. Some believed it would be declar-
ed unconstitutional by tie supreme
court. The vets who discussed this
point agreed it was constitutional.