The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-01
HOUSE PASSES OVER
THE PRESIDENTS VETO
Fight to Be Made in Senate To-
day to Do AS the House Did
About It

diate1y began laying plans to repass
! the bin there They expect to ask
unanimous consent for its considera-
ton tomorrow claiming enough votes
to put it through. They expect to act
zon it by Wednesday at the latest.
The president refused to sign the
bill because it included the enforce
ment Of war time prohibition.
The objects of war time prohibi-
ton. the president said in his veto,
had been satisfied, and sound public
policy makes clear the reason and ne
necessity for its repeal
It would not be difficult, the pres
j ident.s held for congress to- deal sepa-
rately with the two issues. Psz-;-ssss-ysass ysass
The veto hit congress unexpectedly
The house, getting enrits feetsagain
deserted its leaders, who- wanted Ito
defer consideration until Thursday SC
asto round up all the~dry members
But the drys swept into the chamber
and there; was overwhelming senti-
ment among them to give the gov
eminent ample weapons for dealing
with the liquor traffic,
Nobody had really professed to
know the president would veto the
tn. Republicans and Democrats
alike and the countless multitude
that had sorrowfully watched the
passing of the bars, thought it would
Become law without his signature,
Attorney General Palmer, it was
said:.rfiad declared it constitutional.
But the, president. pfopped up in
bed. dictated and then signed a veto
message and sent it along to con-
gress, without worrying apparently,
what congress might do
with repassage of the law by the
house and the prospect Of the same
thing Happening in the senate, hope
OF The big 1'wet" spell that would run
over the Christmas season vanished.
:. Prohibition leaders predicted refus-
al of the house to accept the presi-
dent veto meant that the sale Of Ii
dnor would not be permitted again
in: this and many other generations.
The reasons for vetoing the act
were set: forth by the president in the
following message, to congress:
IS The presidents veto message fol-
loTs:
ITO. the House of: Representatives:
e"I am returning, without my sig
nature, n. r. $50 An act to prohibit
Intoxicating beverages, and to regu-
tate the manufacture, production, use
and, sale of high proof spirits for 9TH
er than beverage purposes, and to
insure an ample supply Of alcohol and
promote its use in scientific research
and in the development of fuel, dye,
and other lawful industries
The subject matter treated in this
measure. deals with two distinct
phases of the prohibition legislation.
One part Of the act under considera-
ton seeks to enforce war time prohi-
bition., The other provides for the
enforcement which was made neces-
sary by the adoption Of the constitu-
tional amendment. I object to and
can not approve that part of this leg
islation with reference to war time
Prohibition.
TT has to do with the enforcement
of an act which was passed by reason
of the emergencies Of the war and
whose objects have been satisfied in
the Rehabilitation Of the army and
navy and whose repeal have already
sought at the hands Of congress.
Where the purposes of particular leg
isiation rising out Of war emergency
have been satisfied sound public pol
icy makes clear the reason and ne
eessity for repeal
ut will not be difficult for congress
: in considering this important matter
to separate the two questions and ef-
fectEely to legislate regarding them;
making the proper distinction be-
tween temporary caus which arose
.opt of war time emergencies aud
those like the constitutional amend
ment OF prohibition which is now part
try.
I'm all matters having to do with
9 fffe personal habits and customs Of
large numbers Of our people, we must
be certain that the established pro-
cesses Of legal change are followed.
In no other way can the salutary OBJ
ject sought to be accomplished by
great reforms .of this character be
made satisfactory and permanent.
s(Signed) Woodrow Wilson
THE White House. Oct. 27, 1919"
An overwhelming vote to pass the
enforcement bill over the presidents
veto was cast by members from the
Southern States. orty-eight of them
voted to override the veto, while eight
voted to sustain the president.
The vote, coming in the evening af-
ter the customary hour of adjourn
n1ent, found several members absent,
there being scarcely more than one
half Of the members voting on the
final call.
Votes by State delegations. not
listing those who were absent, not
voting or paired, follow in part:
Virginia. For. Watson, Woods. Har-
rison and Flood.
South Carolina: For, Byrnes, Dom
mick, Mann and Stevenson. Against:
Whafey.