The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-01-17
Thirty-five Legislatures Have
Ratified and Others Are
Expected to Act Soon.
ONE MORE STATE NEEDED
The Amendment Becomes Eff
fective One Year From the
Date of Its Final Ratification.
Probably July l.

Washington, Jan. 16.-Legisla
lures OF 35 states, one less than the
required three-fourths have ratified
the prohibition constitutional amend
ment. Several state assemblies now
are in session and are expected to
take action with a probable race be-
tween Nebraska. Missouri and Min
nesota as to which will be the 36th
on the list
Ratification was completed yester-
day by the legislatures of five states
Iowa. Colorado, Oregon, New
Hampshire and Utah-making to
tai of IL in two days or the 35
states that have taken action, Ia
have certified their action to the fed
eral state department. They are
Virginia, Kentucky. North Dakota.
South Carolina, Maryland. Dakota
Texas. Montana, Delaware. Massa
chusetts, Arizona, Georgia. Louis
ana and Michigan.
The amendment, under its provis-
ions, becomes effective one year from
the date OF its final ratification. Ad-
ditional legislation by congress is
necessary to make II operative and
ground work for this already has
been laid. This legislation will pre-
scribe penalties for violation of the
amendment and determine how and
by what agencies the law shall be
enforced.
II ratification is completed this
month. many officials here believe
the country will become permanent
ly dry" next July l, the date on
which the special war time prohibi-
tion recently enacted by congress
goes into effect. This law prevents
the manufacture and sale OF intoy'.
cants for beverage purposes and re-
mains in force until the demobiliza-
tion or the nations war armies is
completed.
Court action to prevent the
amendment becoming operative al
ready has been started in California.
ing Governor Stephens from signing
ratification of the amendment has
been obtained. II has been intimat.
ed that similar action may be taken
in other states in which il is stated
state laws REQUIRE that federal con-
stitutional amendments must be sub
mitted to referendum
The prohibition amendment reso
luton passed by congress provide
that ratification by the legislatures
OF the several states as provided by
the constitution"
The resolution follows:
Resolved by the senate and
house Of representatives of III
United States OF America in congress
assembled two-thirds OF each house
concurring therein), That the fol
lowing amendment to the constitu-
ton, be, and hereby is. proposed to
the states, to become valid as a par,
"f the constitution when ratified nv
the legislatures OF the several states
as provided by the constitution:
article.
Section l. After one year from
the ratification OF this article the
manufacture. sale. or transporta-
tion OF intoxicating liquors within
the importation thereof, into. or the
expectation thereof from the United
States and all territory subject to the
Jurisdiction thereof for beverage
purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The congress and the
several states shall have concurrent
power to enforce this article by ap-
propriate legislation.
Section g. This article shall he
imperative unless II shall have been
ratified as an amendrlent to the con-
stitution by the legislatures OF the
several states. az provided in the
constitution. within seven years from
the date of the submission hereof to
the states by congress"
The resolution was passed by the
senate 65 to 20, August l, 1917.