The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-16

ginia, Washington, West vir-
] ginia.
Lincoln, Neb:, Jan. 16.-The Ne.
braska legislature ratified the ma.
tional prohibition amendment shortl,
after 9 o'clock this morning, COM
pleting the required thirty-six states
necessary for national prohibition.
Missouri Ratifies.
Jefferson City, Mo-, Jan. 16.-The
Missouri state senate today ratified
the national prohibition amendment
by vote of % to 10.
Action Now Complete.
Chicago, Jan. 16.-Favorable action
by the last legislature needed tt
complete the thirty-six states re-
quired to ratify the national prohi'
bition amendment came today
thirty-five having already voted in
favor Of ratification. This action
was brought about by Nebraska's
ratification. Missouri a little later
also voted in favor of the bill. Mime
sofa and New Mexico are expected
to take final vote on the question be-
fore the end of the day.
The Wisconsin senate ratified the
amendment yesterday, but action in
the house was postponed until to-
morrow.
Those Ratifyins Bill.
The states which have ratified the
amendment are as follows: Alabama,
Arizona Arkansas, California. Colo
rado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia
Idaho. Illinois. Iowa, Indiana, Kansas
Kentucky. Louisiana, Maine. Mary
land, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mis-
souri,, Mississippi, Montana, Ne
braska, North Dakota, North Caro-
lima, New Hampshire, Ohio, Okla
homa, Oregon, South Carolina South
Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vir-
ginia, Washington and West Virginia
Twelve states have not taken final
action. They are: Minnesota, Nevada,
New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Is
land. Vermont, Wisconsin and
Wyoming.
Greatest Moral Legislation.
When word was flashed over the
wires that the thirty sixth state,
Nebraska, had ratified the prohi-
bition amendment, prohibition
leaders declared that the accomplish
ment was the greatest piece of moral
legislation in the history of the
world.
The amendment to the federal con-
stitution prohibiting the manufac-
ture and sale Of intoxicating bever-
ages becomes effective one year
after date of it's final ratification.
Meanwhile the nation goes dry July
l next, by presidential proclamation
as a war measure unless the presi-
dent recinds it before that date.
Cheyenne, Wyo., Jan. 16.-The
Wyoming legislature today unani-
mously ratified the prohibition
amendment to the federal Constitu-
ton, both houses acting before noon.
Mississippi Certifes Act.
Jackson, Miss, Jan. 16.-The GER
tification of Mississippi's ratification
of the prohibition amendment to the
federal Constitution was duly for
warded to the United States secre-
tary of state Immediately after the
legislature completed
Secretary of State Pow
ers, of Mississippi, said today. The
statement was made after Mr.. Powers
had been shown dispatch from
Washington saying that, although
Mississippi acted a year ago, formal
certification had not been received in
Washington.
"If the copies have been misplaced
in Washington, duplicates. will be
forwarded" Mr.. Powers said.
Mississippi Was First.
Congress passed the resolution
submitting the amendment to the
various state legislatures in the
midst of the seething preparations
for war in 1917. The senate adopted
the resolution Aug. l by a vote of
IS to 20 and the lower house on Dec.
II, by a vote of 2S2 to 12S.
The legislature of Mississippi was
the first to ratify. taking this action
on Jan. 8, 1918. Fourteen other states
took similar action during that year,
the last Of them being Florida, which
ratified on Dec. 10, 1918 at special
session.
In the fall elections the wet or
dry question was paramount in most
of the remaining states, but the vote
left no doubt that the United States
was destined to be the first great ma
ton to veto liquor. The ban on
vodka in Russia was never COM
pletely effective, nor did it interfere
with the consumption of
more expensive liquor by those who
could afford it. Russian officials
now state that the bolsheviki have
restored the vodka drink.
Michigan Led in 1919.
Michigan having by a state law
made itself dry in 1918. was the first
state to ratify in 1919, the legisla-
ture voting on the second day Of the
new year. From that date to today
have acted rapidly. Five
states ratified yesterday, bringing
the number up to thirty five. Other
legislatures worked at feverish speed
to be the thirty sixth, with Nebraska
and Minnesota contesting in the
lead.
Meanwhile a distillers' committee,
through Levy Meyer, chief
Of their counsel. announced that in
twenty-one states the constitutions
require a referendum vote of citi-
zens in order to ratify a constitu-
fionaI amendment Mr. Never TODAY