Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-28
WILSON DECLINES
TO SIGN DRY BILL
House Passes Measure Over
Veto by Vote of
176 to SIS.
SENATE ACTION TOMORROW
President Acts Because Resolu-
ton Includes Enforcement of
Wartime Prohibition.
fBy Associated Press.1

WASHINGTON, Oct. az President
Wilson unexpectedly vetoed tie pro-
hibition enforcement bill today, and
within three hours the House had re-
passed it over his veto by a vote OF
176 TO So, The total vote was barely
more than majority of the entire
mem bership.
Dry leaders in the Senate imme
diately began laying plans to repass
the bill there. They expect to ask
unanimous consent for it's consideration
tomorrow. claiming enough votes to
put it through. They expect to act
| on it by Wednesday at the latest.
The President refused to sign the
bill because It included the enforce
ment OF wartime prohibition.
The objects of wartime prohibition,
the President said. in his veto. had been
satisfied. and Sound public policy
makes clear the reason and necessity
for it's repeal
It would not be difficult. the Presi-
dent said for Congress to deal sepa-
rately with the two issues.
Veto Is Unexpected.
The veto hit Congress unex pectedly
deserted its leaders. who wanted to
defer consideration until Thursday, so
as to round up all tie dry members.
But the drys swept into the chamber
sentiment among them to give the
government ample weapons for dealing
with the liquor traffic.
Nobody had really professed to know
publicans and Democrats alike, and tie
countless multitude that had sorrow-
fully watched the passing OF the bars,
| thought 1t would become a law with
| out his signature.
President Dictates Veto.
.Affornev-caparo- poI,oar ,..l
! had declared 1t constitutional. But
| the President. propped up in bed, die
| tated and then signed veto message
and sent 1t along to Congress. with
gress might do.
With tie repassage Of the law by the
House; and the prospect OF the same
thing happening in the Senate, hope Of
the big wet" spell that would run
over Christmas season vanished.
Prohibltion leaders predicted refusal
OF the House TO accept the Presidents
veto meant that the sale of liquor
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 fol-
lowing message to Congress-:
Text OF Veto Messnge.
I am returning. wit tout my signature,
II. r. 6slO AN act to prohibit intoxi-
eating beverages, and 10 regulate the
manufacture. production. use and sale
or high-proof spirits for other 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 law
full industries"
The subject matter treated in this
measure deals with two distinct phases
OF the prohibition legislation. One part
or the act under considera ton seeks
other provides for the enforcement,
which was made necessary by the adop-
tion OF the constitutional amendment
l object to. and cannot approve. that
part OF this Legislation with reference
to wartime prohibition.
1t has to do with the enforcement
or an act which was passed by reason
or the emergencies of the war. and
whose objects have been satisfied in the
demobilization OF the army and navy,
and whose repeal have already sought
at the hands OF Congress. Where the
purposes Of particular legislation arls-
satisfied, sound public policy makes
clear the reason and necessity for re-
peal.
1t will not be difficult for Congress
in considering this Important matter
to separate these two questions and
effectively. to ieslslate regarding
them: making the proper distinction
out OF wartime emergencies and those
like the constitutional anne ndment OF
prohibition. which is now part of the
luHQdmental Ia W or the country
In all matters having to do with the
personal habits and customs Of large
numbers of our people, we must be
certain that the established processes
or legal change are followed. In no
other way can the salutary object
sought to be accomplished by great re-
forms OF this character be made salts
factory and permanent.
IT, tSIgneO WOODROW WILSON.
Ihe White House. October 81. 1919
South Strong Against Veto.
An Overwhelming vote TO pass the
bill over the Presidents veto was cast
Eortv-eight Of them voted to override
the Presidents veto while eight voted
to sustain the President.
The vote, coming in the evening after
the customary hour of adjournment
found several members absent. there
being scarcely more than one half OF
me members voting on the final call.
votes by State delegations, not listing
those who were absent. not voting or
paired, follows in part:
Virginia: For-Watson. Woods, Har-
rison and Flood
South Carolina FORTUNES. Dom
mick, Mann and Stevenson. Against
Whaley.
North Carolina: Tor-Brlnson. sted-
man, Doughton and Weaver. Agains.
Georgia: For-park. Crisp, Wright.
Upshaw, Lee, Brand, Vinson. Landlord
and Larsen.
Florida: For-smIth. Wick.
Vets still Have One Hope.
One hope remains for the talked of
wet SPELL before prohibition becomes
effective by constitutional amendment
in January. 1t Is that the German peace
| treaty may be ratified, and that the
President may declare peace and de-
mobilization OF the army and navy
Some legal experts contend that
would automatically annul the war
time prohibition law. But there Is a
legal question involved as to whether
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