The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-31
SMITH CALLS DRY
ACTION DESPOTIC
G. o. P. Ratified Amendment
without Consulting Will
Of People, He Says.
ENFORCEMENT BILL IN
Governor Will Notify State
Department Tomorrow OF
Prohibition Here.
Special Despatcn TO TIE srN.

ALBANY, Jan. 30.--Gov. Smith Will
send tomorrow to the State Department
at Washington official notification that
New York State has ratified the prohibit
ton amendment to the Federai Constitu-
ticn.
The sudden termination OF the ratifi-
cation fight left the Legislature without
important bills on Il. calendars. and
sessions to-day lasted but few minutes
in each House The Democrats were
busy discussing report to the effect
that the drys expected every state but
New Jersey-President wilson's home
State--to ratify prohibition.
new bill, said TO be backed by
Speaker Sweet Of the Assembly. was
introduced in both Houses. It gives the
State Excise Commissioner power to en-
force provisions OF the prohibition
amendment, and provides in addition
that In New York State, prohibition en-
forcement shall conform to Federal
statutes.
In statement Gov Smith said to-
day:
THE Republican majority In the
Legislature. by the aid of a party caucus.
have succeeded in ratifying. by strict
party vote, the pending amendment to
the Federal Constitution providing for
prohibition.
Asks for Peoples Rights.
Tn my first annual message to the
Legislature I recommended that action
be taken only after the people of the
State had an opportunity to give ex-
preston to their will In the matter.
Not only have our people been refused
that opportunity, but the Legislature has
seen fit to record them without ascer-
tanning their wishes
AS the Governor of the State can
only take my place in the great army Of
our citizens who have faith in the funda :
mental democratic principle that the
majority should rule, and I deplore the
fact that We have been denied a right
no FAR that 1t does not admit OF argu-
ment except from those who are I'M
willing to listen.
II wish to make 1t plain that under
our Federal Constitution power is with
held from the Governor to take any ac-
ton with regard to this pending amend
inent. The power OF ratification OF
amendments to the Federal Constitution
10y article V. Of that document Is vested
solely with the Legislature and the Gov
ernor has no power OF veto. The Re-
publican majority IN the Legislature has
denied the people the right TO speak for
themselves. and has. without ascertain
ing their opinion. declared finally and
conclusively for all the people OF the
State
G. o. p. to Speed Ahead.
Tho Republican leaders now feel they
can speed along the other important
legislation OF the session. Senator J.
Henry Walters. president pro tenn. Of
the Senate, and Senator Frederick NJ.
Davenport, who will be chairman OF the
legislative committee that Is TO study
taxation and report proper legislation
for passage. met to-day. Tho committee
has received $40 600 TO be spent. for its
studies. and It is expected that Prof.
Charles Bullock Of Harvard, Prof K 4.
Scligrnan OF Columbia and Prof Thomas
s Adams OF Yale will be called into con-
sultation.
Senator John r. Mullen of Rochester
to-day introduced the proposed amend
1nent TO the constitution increasing the
salaries of legislators from 81 500 to
$4,000 year. This measure already
has passed one Legislature. and II ap-
proved this year will go to the voters
next fall for their approval