New-York tribune., 1919-01-24
Measure Is Put Through
After Majority Party
Holds Exciting Caucus
Pact Repudiated
By III Members
Referendum Plan Voted
Down; the Senate May
Take Action Next w eek

ALBANY, Jan. 2S.-After a debate
lasting nearly five hours, which was
preceded by a Republican caucus in
which the "dry" resolution was made
a party measure, ratification of the
Federal prohibition amendment was
approved by the Assembly late to-day.
The vote was 81 to Sc. Eleven Repub-
li.ans declined to be bound by the
csucus action and Joined with the
Dtnocratic and Socialist minorities in
vtsing against adoption.
Action on the resolution probably
WI be taken by the Senate early next
wrk. A caucus of Republican Senators
Ml been called for Monday night.
The eleven Republicans who voted
negatively were those who earlier in
tlsday had joined with the minority
ir an unsuccessful attempt to pass a
hil to carry out Governor Smiths
rscom mendation for referendum.
They were Assemblymen Blakely and
Wilson, of Westchester; Caulfeld, OF
Kings; fssswkins, Pellet, .Steinbers, tssssss ts5ssssssl
man and Weiss, of New York; Miller,
OF Erie, and Malone and Welsh, of AL
bany. The absentees we're McNab,
Schenectady, and Webb, Duchess, Re
publicans, and Mckee, Bronx, Demo
craft
Women Watch Proceedings
The Assembly chamber was crowded
with specta tors, many of them women,
throughout the long proceedings. The
debate was spirited at times, but for
the most part consisted Of the taunting
by the Democrats and Socialists of the
Republican members for being lashed
into line by a party whip. The Repub
leans, such of them as replied to the
isunts, countered with the reflection
that the entire prohibition programme
had been forced upon the Legislature
By Democratic Congress and that the
Democrats. accordingly, were not living
Up 20 ut estandards set By their party
leaders,.
The wet contingent was stirred to
prolonged applause by the remarks of
New York. At one point he said he
hoped that when 'the boys come home
from the other side and find what you
hare done they will have saved enough
ammunition to use on the hypocrites
who have been stealing away the de-
moeracy they have been fighting to
defend" Speaker Sweet had to use
MS gavel vigorously TO quell the demon
Hfatlon of approval
Minority Leader Hopeless
Minority Leader Donohue, in closing
i5r the ti-ratificationists, said that it
would De worse than futile for him to
make long speech, because he knew
me other side mad the votes" Majority
leader Adler, who ended debate for the
Iatincationists, said the proposition had
come TO the Legislature in an orderly
manner and should be adopted just that
ssy. He added that the election last
!aii had demonstrated that the ma
louty Of voters had repudiatcd the
pSnk III the Democratic platform
snich called for referendum, and That
we Republicans felt they were carry
iag out the wishes Of their constitu-
sa.s in voting to ratify.
adoption Of the resolution was pre-
easd by long period of waiting and
sesa,hameptary wrangle. The caucus was
fTziica soon after the session began.
Dsfing this the Assembly stood in re-
~ In the caucus, which was attend
y1ohesns. every one was given an op
gysssaity TO express tis views.
ihc aalk was 80 animated at times
s.as echoes penetrated through the
.s@sg stone walls into the corridors Of
s SapItol, but when the caucus vote
- - taken the result was announced as
~ IN favor Of adoption. Assembly,
+sn fearon and Chamberlain, Of Onon-
~; r. 4. Wells, Of Kings; Mead, Of
sense, and Everett, Of st. Lawrence,
yssss ." ""'e '""' '''e "Ss"''''
1,oaflng the progress Of the secret de-
sfaliote several Of those who at
ss,s4 to- osd declined 10 participate en-
~'sa the caucus room.
Referendum Bill Killed
me ne AcElhzott bill TO provide for
ts.sssenopfn was killed Immediately af
~ sne open session was resumed. 1t
q a. ~ death as reeuit Of motion
49, Adsssonm1t made by Majority Leader
II ine vote was 80 TO g6.
sys. 'phy parliamentary fight followed
Mn. Me adoption Of a special rule to
smsss she ratifyjng resolution up for
xTss. xTssiats ss consideration. The Demo-
E;Isn .ess this skjrmish. Then Mr.. Me-
fsfsx.ss attempted 10 substitute his
a. ss.slnonro ~ ann for the ratifying clause In
ss.,assnsl sssinsl resolution. In this he was
~ sssss5ul, the yote being ~ 70 6g.
Iii 49,. s..aIi'leaf'cnssts were handicapped
vI,ka,s.ss part of The campaign by being
Hx3sn. : tn<lr leader, AssembIynan
.szfAd.da s,ds z. Sic1sab, of Schenectady, who
fsa6rtass 20 We resolution, and Vim Was
1sss 1sssasea ae being geri0uslg iii WIN ins