Evening journal., 1918-03-12
GOVERNOR HAS PERSONAL
TALK WITH LEGISLATORS
ABOUT SPECIAL SESSION


cd 70 act as a Defense Council which
has done much In arouslng interest In
an the war activities
The Womens Conservation Com
mittee and Defense Councll have done
good work but seriously handicapped
by lack of funds TO take advantage
% the opportunities afforded 10 meet
the demands expected. Only oscasuai
inquiry would lead you TO conclude
that this session was o practical reply
10 persistent criticisms and demands
with which | was subjected and which
by lack Of legal authority have been
unable 10 comply More volunteer
work, J believe, has been dono In Del
aware than 10 any section OF the
country. Voluntary subscriptions, o.
which ! am not permitted 10 speak
have been used.
IN all. our citizens have done lher
personal part IN 80 far as they could.
As a state. we must do equally so.
"A word. " YOU please, concerning
The other poinkof legislation. which Is
presented for youf conslderatlon--that
OF the constitutional amendment.
"The question OF local option, State
and Nation wide prohibition. is one
that has commanded and received the
attention Of this state for the past ten
or twelve years. Every member of
every General Assembly during that
time has faced and been elected with
that rs the prominent, II not the doml-
naut issue. You are wel acquainted
with the arguments md represent well
your constituents You were elected
: with that problem facing YOU.
TO you comes the responsibility and
opportunity OF deciding this question
and thus remove forever our campalgns
and election discussion. which at least
does not clearlfy other issues before
YOU.
For presenting II to you Is not the
reason for calling this session, But
nrmly In the belief that this question
should no longer dominate all other
discussions OF State Interest ! assume
the responsibility. A nation, a state, a
community very like, home watches
your action. The responsibility now
Is yours,
Another word. and am through.
Convinced that Il Is right TO do so,
assume gladly the whole responsibility
for calling you together. You now In
turn, take that responsibility for your
action. based on your best judgment
But there is another responsibility that
Is solely yours. Necessary always, but
now absolutely imperative that the ses-
sion be conducted with an eye always
on the expense. Many Of you, no doubt
have legislation that you would like TO
propose, many amendments or correc-
tlons 10 laws now on the statutes that
you would like 20 SEQ made, ! take
no exception TO this. have many such
myself. But this Is IN very truth q
war session. We should rather bear
/ those slight errors OF inconvenlencea
/ than open the door 10 general legisla-
tlon, unless n has a definite and
specific bearing on the war.
introduction Of one bill gives ever,
member a right privilege. To my mind
we can ill afford TO appropriate either
time or money 20 any other than alb
souto essentials. ] urge most strongl,
that you make some sacrifice for those
larger things which today dominate al
other questions Far better considera.
ton and cooperation will be given tc
your proposals az a regular session
Your record at the last session was
such as TO attract the most favorable
attention. You placed on record the
most practical, legislation than any ses-
sion in recent years May ] ask that
that be maintained?
"Nhile our relationship here Is
/ pleasant, let US so into council and con-
slider the legislation proposed and re-
turn 10 the farm and factory 10 devote
/ our energies toward winning the war.
The Joint committee Of the senate
and House. who escorted Governor
I Townsend 10 the Joint session In the
House chamber when he delivered his
message and statement consisted Of
Senator Gormley and Representative
Bulris senators Newton and Gormley
and representatives. Peet, DAILY and
Jones had previously notified the
governor that the two Houses had or
ganized and were ready 10 receive any
message from him.
Lieutenant Governor Ellason presnea
over the Joint session and President Pro
TEN Barnard and Speaker Hall occupied
chairs with him on the speakers plat
form.