The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-02-05
SENATE DEBATE ON PROHIBITION ST11-2 HOURS Galleries Crowded With
 Spectators Including
 Many Women. DEMOCRATS IN FAVOR
 OF VOTE BY PEOPLE Senator Brooks Says Pub lie Be Damned Busin ass" Is Out of Date.

Hartford, Feb. 5-Debate on the question of ratification of the pro- hibition amendment extended through an hour and a half The galleries were crowded with spectators, among whom were many women. The chamber was jammed with citizens and members of the House, who rushed there after that body had ad- journed. The several senators who spoke covered a considerable range from the point of expediency to that of constitutionality. Not great deal was said about the saloon ex- cept in the way of emphasis When Lieutenant-Governor Wilson took up the matter, Clerk Kenealy read the amendment as it was trans mitted from Washington to the gov ernor.
 Senator Broder asked that the floor be cleared. Senator Woodruff thought this unnecessary. Senator Broder explained that he desired all specta- tors kept behind the rails in the rear. The messengers then invited all who were on the lounges and chairs to move and only those stayed within the enclosure who had the privileges of the floor.
 Representative Hall of Wilmington and former Representative Omar Platt of Milford, had seats with Leuten- ant4Governor Wilson. Just before debate began Mayor Fitzgerald was beside the lieutenant-gov for a call.
 Senator Woodruff opened the dis cussiOn but was interrupted by Sen ator K1ett, who suggested that the question be put into writing. The chair thought this unnecessary and | Senator Woodruff moved that the amendment be ratified and Senator Hagen seconded it.
 After Senator Woodruff had spoken 1 he was followed by Senators Hagen and Bowers for ratification; Senator Brooks against it: Senator Hough for it; Senators Hurley and Hemenway l against 1t; Senator Dillon for 1t, and 1 Senator Fox against 1t in the order named Those senators for the amendment after Senator Brooks, in 1 the main replied to what the latter | had said. The opposing senators were mostly in favor of referendum. 1 Senator Hurley thought the amend nent deprived people of their rights and that it was foul legislation"
 Senator Brooks claimed that the
 public be damned business such as he said was shown in this amend ment, was out of date.
 Senator Dillon, who made the main | @hA Yofut1 Ho Yov 1 each speaker against the amend
 ment
 There was no motion after the vote was taken to reconsider. This
 fact will afford opportunity for the
 senate to act upon the matter again through a conference committee
 or on 8 motion to adhere. In the course of debate Senator Bowers
 read a message to the effect that the
 Pennsylvania house of representatives
 had unanimously voted for ratifca- 1 ton.
 The earlier session of the senate
 had been devoted to concurrent ref
 erence of matters from the House.
 Resolutions appointing commission
 CTS of Hartford. T1ndhaTn, Holland . ana MluulG66A CoNLl4CS p6'ooC1 ny LIlc
 House, Friday, were adopted in con
 currence. The senate agreed to a
 joint special committee to inquire
 with full powers into administration
 of laws governing state paupers, hos
 pitals receiving state aid and Mans
 field state training school and hos
 pital and to recommend general
 islation in the interest of economic
 administration.
 Richard Covert, Jr., was confirmed
 in concurrence as auditor for Hart
 ford county.
 The House was in session but hal1
 an hour and the time was used ir
 referring Fridays senate business fl
 concurrence Among the visitors
 was Lieutenant Charles P. Taft, Mrs
 Taft and former Senator Irving Chase
 of Waterbury.