Evening journal., 1918-03-14
No REFERENDUM ON
Prohibition issue
House Kills Representative
Welch'S Bill By Vote
of 20 TO 7
EQUAL SUFFRAGE UP
AS WAR MEASURE"

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER. March l4.-By a vote Of 26
nays to yeas the House yesterday af-
ternoon defeated Representative Wolch's
bll providing for referendum vote
on the federal prohibition amendment
at the general election next fall. This
was the first test vote on the dry
and wet" question Of the special ses-
sion and IL is predicted the House will
ratify the amendment by practically
the same vote. The vote yesterday fol-
lows:
Yeas - Connolly. Cross, McNabb
pritchett, Rash, Webster and WEIGH
Seven.
Nays - Ahern, Boyce Buckingham,
/ Burris, Chipman, Culver Daily. Down
ward, Ellison, Green, Gregg, Gruwell,
/ ID. g. Hail. Hutchinson Kersey, Killen,
/ Lewis, Loose, Marvel Messick, Peet,
Prettyman swain, Tarbutton, Tindall.
Absent-Joncs.
Representative Welch, father Of the
bll, said in introducing and advocat-
ing it that he took the sole response
bility for it, lie declared that he had
not consulted either the temperance or
whiskey people" before introducing the
bill, nOtwithstand. rumors to the
contrary. Those rumors he character
led as a "damnablc lie
He contended 10 was a question Of
State rights and the people should
have an opportunity 10 express thIn-
Selves. lie said no one in his district
had approached him for or against the
amendment but that he had voluntar-
ily gone among the people after intro
ducins the bill and they had all said,
"by an means let us have "a say" In
concluding he said he did not oppose
the prohibition amendment but he be
lieved in the right Of the people to
rule.
Representative Boyce stated that the
question was one for the Legislature to
decide and intmated that the bill in
question was nothing more than a
suhterfugc
Mr. Welch denied that his bill was a
sublcrfuge but said It was an effort 10
get The opinion of the people
Representative McNabb spoke for the
bill, hut declared there was hardly any
chance Of getting it passed, notwith-
3 standing the fact that it, had merit and
: would give the people a chance to
r speak. II is another case, he said, OF
b having the ducks I'm a row.
b Mr. Burris made a speech opposine
the bill and said he was not one Of the
ducks in a row, referred to by Mr. Nc
Nabb But he explained. with Mr.. Nc
Nabb as an adversary, 1t was probabl,
y necessary to sec that all the ducks wcr
In a row.
n Mr. Connolly spoke for the bill. tn
y vote was then taken with the aboy
T. result.
r Defer Action on Limiting Business.
e At the afternoon session OF the Sen
q ate yesterday the House consurreni
e resolution providing that no bills shal
q be considered by the Legislature eXcep
u those covered by the Governor in hi:
proclamation, was called up for action
but after some discussion 1t was laiC
over for one day. on motion Of Senator
n Wharton.
IS Afler the resolution had been read
3. Senator Wharton asked what effect IL
y adoption would have upon the bill
- already introduced in the Senate ant
e House, and which have been terme'
war measures.
Senator Newton replied that it wa
q his understanding that it would be "a
y 10 the members themselves TO deter
u mine what should be considered wa
~ measures.
~ Senator Hickman remarked that hi
~ bill to- increase the salary Of New Cas-
~ tie county bailins was not wa
~ measure but an act Of justice TO th
bailffs, and he would not want aC
ls tion upon it shut on by the resolution
~ Upon motion OF Dr. Wharton, actio
lo was then deferred for one day.
suffrage Bill I'm.
,d senator Walker introduced a woman
n suffrage bill to amend the State Cor
,n stitution by granting the franchise
women.
b. May ] ask the senator from New Ca,
i'm tie county il he considers that a wa
measure" asked Senator Wharton.
H. Il certainly dor exclaimed Mr.. Wa
ne ker emphatically.
ar 81 agree with your returned ID
er Wharton
Nv Want Roads Built
n The Senate adopted a consurrent rest
b. luton presented by Senator Frazier {
ry urge the State Highway Commission
he proceed as speedily as possible 10 in
ny prove all roads in the state Of miitar
importance needed for transportatio
at yof food and supplies, regardless Of e.
o. iraordnary road building expense occ'
by stoned by war conditions.
IS. senator Frazier explained that it wa
Ny intended to show the Highway Commi
IS sion that the people Of Delaware az
to proved the early completion Of i'm
proved roads.
ilt senator Hoffecker introduced a bi
" TO authorize the Board Of Eduoatio
ii- Of the Newark Public schools 20 detei
mine The amount 90 be raised by taxs
tion for school purposes. Senate aC
= iOurncd.