Evening journal., 1917-03-21
staff Corresnondent.

the Senate yesterday in passing the
Boyce bill for resubmission OF the
liquor license question in Wilmington
and rural New Castle county at
special election in November next
was an uppermost topic for discus
sion among members Of the Legisla-
ture today. Notwithstanding that sew
eral important bills were special
orders for consideration. One thing
is certain-before Friday night a de-
termined effort will be made TO re-
consider and kill the resubmission
bill so far as It applies TO Whining
ton at least
The bill over which there had been
a fight for some days TO get out OF
committee was reported favorably
with a substitute yesterday morning.
The committee that had tho bill was
tho Revised Statutes of which Prosi-
dent Pro Tenn Barnard is chairman. It
is understood that Senators Wharton,
Newton and Frazier, who had not
signed the petition to call the bill
out OF committee formed a COM
pact, 20 sign the petition TO call the
bill out but first submitted the propO-
sition to Senator Barnard, preferfing
10 have him to bring It out in his own
behalf
This was done, as Senator Barnard
reported the bill out favorably with
substitute which would require the
vote on the question to be taken
throughout the state. This substitute
was voted down as was also amend
ments to eliminate Wilmington from
the bill and to provide that the regis
.l. ~orsrraH nf the last
election in Wilmington should also
sevve at this special wet and dry
election next fall. Senator G0rmley
offered both OF these amendments.
When the amendment was onercd
to eliminate Wilmington from inc
provisions of the bill, Senator Whar-
ton took the floor and made tie fol-
lowing statement relative TO his vote
in opposition to the bill and in favor
of the amendment:
Senator WhartOn's Position.
"No measure that has come before
the General Assembly has given ile
so much concern as this bill II 1t
were simply a question OF granting to
the people privilege which they de-
sired. my way would be clear ana
nlain. but ! am assured that instead
Of granting a privilege. II is n case OF
forcing upon the people a bitter ana
heated contest which the great ma
iority OF them want to avoid. rms
assurance comes to me. not from men
who are supposed to be liquor men
or liquor lobbyists. but from scores OF
the most prominent, responsible and
renutable citizens OF Wilmington.
III II be answered that those men
do no really represent tho people,
then I am still confronted by this
fact that the authorized representa-
lives of the people of Wilmington, tho
members Of this General Assembly
who were elected by the people ot
Wilmington TO express their will and
their wishes and their sentiments,
That these accredited spokesmen or
the people OF that city stand two 10
one against this bill.
"tf NJ be answered that these men
were not elected on an issue OF wet
ana dry and therefore, cannot speak
for their constituents on that ques-
lion / am confronted by this other
fact that precisely this same answer
might be made with regard to an is
sue on practically every measure that
comes before this Legislature. Is It
not true that these men were elected
bv the ballots of the people OF VIII
mington to represent them on all
subjects that should come before this
bodv? How then can It be said that
their authority Is limited TO any par
ticular question OF series OF ques-
tions?
''The greatest wish have at this
time IS 10 be perfectly frank and hon
est to myself and to the people OF De-
laware. ] ask myself this question:
suppose the so-called wet members Of
Wilmington and rural New Castle
should combine with the wet minor
ity in Kent County in this or some flu
ture General Assembly and force a
resubmission OF the liquor question
upon my county against the wishes OF
a majority of the Kent members. how
would / feel? How would my constitu
ents feel2 If am 10 speak the truth
there is only one answer TO that ques
ton. We would be indignant. W.
would be hot with indignation. Wha
then should I do when the case =
simplv reversed? Has that grea
moral precept. do unto others as yo
would have them do unto you. no an
plication in politics?
II have tried to satisfy my doubt
on this matter by saying to myself
this bin simply leaves il TO the peopl
to decide for themselves; that there
fore il is not forcing anything upo
them. But / know down in my hear
that such an argument would not e
far with me or with my constituent
If the vets in the other counties
should compel Kent county to TAX
another vote on this liquor question
l know. and everybody knows tina
an election on the License or No Ii
cense issue means a campaign OF hea
and excitement resulting in bitterness
and bad blood which it takes years tc
overcome. The question of expense is
the least important OF all
Home Rule for Wilmington.
have always been opposed and
am still unalterablv opposed to any
nomination by the City of Wilmington
ea the affairs of Kent County. I an
.oleed TO the conclusion that if vote
eI 1nis bill. shall be unable TO con.
.,nne IN That opposition and be con.
When the hin was reported ont o
ne senate Committee ON po..t-t "
statutes with substitute no, AZ.
lal the resubmission shoula a,,,,,,. !.
lent and Sussex counties oe ~, =
New Castle Senator Barns,a ~ ~ a
man OF the committee. smoke ~, ,i1' ~
half Of the substitute. pointinc m n'
hat 1t has been ten years since ~