Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-28


 ton seeks to enforce wartime prohibi- tion. The other provides for the an Iofcement which was made necessary by the adoption of the constitutional amendment. object to and cannot approve that part of this legislation Win reference to wartime prohibition. It has to do with the enforcen1enr or an act which was passed by req son or the emergencies Of the war and whose objects have been satisied-in the demobilization of the war and whose objects have been satisfied fT, the demobilization of the army ana navy and whose repeal 1 have already sought at the hands of congress Where the purposes of particular leg islation arising out of war emergencv have been satisfied. sound public po1- icy makes clear the reason and nee eSSity for repeal
 It will not be difficult for congress Tn considering this important matter 10 separate these two questions and eHectlVely to legislate regarding them. making the proper distinction between temporary causes which arose out of war time emergencies and those like the constitutional amendment of pro hib1tion which is no wpart of the fun damental law of the country
 in all matters having to do with the personal habits and customs of large numbers of our people, must be certain that the blished processes of legal change are followed. Tn no other way can the salutary object sought to be accomplished by great re- forms of this character be made satia factory and permanent.
 (Slgned) WOODROW WILSON
 The White House. 27 October, 1919.
 one hope remains for the talked of wet spell' before prohibition becomes effective by constitutional amendment in January It is that the German peace treaty may be ratified. and that the president may declare peace and consolidation of the army and navy. Some legal experts contend that would automatically annul the wartime uro- hibition law.
 But there is a legal question in volved as to whether the ratification of the treaty with Germany alone will accomplish that end The wartime prohibition act was passed at a time when the United States was at war with both Germany and Austria Hun gary Hostiiities, however actually had ceased. Some law officers here are inclined to believe that it may not be ended until both treaties are rati- fled.
 On the other hand friends of the ad- plans, say they expect to see the war time prohibition ban lifted by presi- 'dential proclamation as soon as the German treaty is ratified.
 The house was in an uproar when the presidents message was read Members were standing in all parts of the chamber, many clamoring for rec ognition, but Chairman Volstead, Of the judiciary committee. which framed the bill. was given the floor. As GUS todian of the measure. he moved that consideration of the veto be deferred until Thursday. What he was trying to say could not be heard, for there was a general hubbub and members swarmed in front of the speakers stand exactly after the manner of an excited crowd at race track betting ring. Finally shout that the house was not in order helped quiet the sit uation.
 The wrangle started again when Walsh. republican. moved to table the Volstead motion. Most of the mem bers did not seem to know what this meant, but it was evident that AIr Walsh was trying to force an immedi- ate vote.
 The hubbub and the wrangle kept going while Republican Leader Mon dell, demanding the right to be heafd ahead of fifty others who were trying to catch the speakers eye. finally goU the floor. told how the prohibition bill affected the welfare of all the people. w.iich made it necessary that the house have everybody present when voting time came This plea was made after Chairman Volstead had asked unanimous consent to withdraw. ais motion.
 There were many motions after that and a number of roll calls until the final vote was taken at o'clock.
 The galleries were deserted The crowds that used to sit through weary lours of prohibition debate had not heard, of course. that the final fight was at hand. On the floor a handful of members who had stood up against he dry phalanX. edged in a word now md then and tried to appeal for up= holding of the veto. but they were lnable to make themselves heard lbove the din.
 If the senate also oVerrides the veto he country will go on a one-haif of 'ne per cent. alcoholic content bev- .rage basis. In the only test vote on he bin the senate gave it a five to one majority, and dry leaders predict the lext test would reveal similar trength for their cause.