The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-03-19
SENATE PASSES
$50 BEER
Barrett Bill, LegaIizing Manufac-
ture and Sale of Stronger
Brew, Carried IL to 9.
SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.
"Drys" Wage Spectacular but Futile
Fight in Session Lasting Three
Hours-Bridge and Tunnel Project
Must Go Through Without Delay.

Trenton.-With the expected u
votes, one more than the required ma
jority, the senate passed finally the
Barrett $50 per cent beer bill Nine
votes were opposed. AS the measure
passed the assembly, it went to Gov
ernor Edwards, who made it one of
the chief recommendations of his in
augural address after his successful
campaign upon the issue. He imme
diately approved the bill, and this was
| the first act of a state to legislate on
the liquor question since national pro-
hibition went into effect.
The vote upon final passage of the
bill was as follows:
Ayes-C. D. White, Atlantic; B. H.
White, Burlington; Pilgrim, Essex ;
| Smith, Passaic; Case, Somerset, Re
| publicans; Simpson, Hudson; Martens,
| Hunterdon; Heath, Mercer; Brown,
Middlesex; Rays, Sussex; Barber,
| Warren, Democrats-12.
Noes - Haines, Camden Bright
| Cape May; Sturgess, Gloucester; Ste
vens, Monmouth; Whitney, Morris ;
Hagaman, Ocean; Runyon, Union, all
Republicans-9.
Governor Edwards, in obtaining the
| passage Of the beer bill, fulfills the
| most important promise he made the
| people of the state in his campaign for
| governor. He pledged himself to the
| enactment of law that would allow
the manufacture and sale of beer in
| New Jersey. He was assailed by the
Anti-Saloon League and other dry or
| CARNATIONS as q "nullificationist' and
"secessionist." Edwards won by 49,
900 in a state that Is normally $4,000
Republican. The governors first act
was to send message TO the legisla-
ture demanding the legalizing of beer.
His next was the presentation of the
bill to carry out this idea.
Some Acrlmony in Debate.
| The passage of the bill followed a
| debate marked by some acrimony. The
statement was made by Senator Run
yon of Union that the senate was
| about to take one of the most impor-
| tant votes ever taken in the history of
| he state and the crowded galleries
told of the great interest of the public
In the matter
The bill came up under suspension
| of the rules upon motion of Senator
| Pilgrim of Essex, who asked that the
committee substitute for the Barrett
bill be substituted for senate bill No.
ia, introduced by himself 1t looked
| for a minute as if President Case ar
bitrarily was going to refer the bill to
committee and make its consideration
impossible. When the message of the
house was read he made a quick refer
ence, and for minute the proponents
of the bill were at loss as to how to
proceed Finally some one suggested
an immediate report, and the commit
tee reported the bill favorably. Then
parliamentary move brought the bill
to third reading, and the debate
was on.
Several unsuccessful attempts were
made to amend the bill. Senator
Haines of Camden wanted a referen-
| dunn tackled on, and Senator SturgeSs
=anted the penalties of the Volstead
act inserted. These attempts to amend
occasioned some slight debate before
Senator Pilgrim took up the main ques-
ton. The Essex senator pictured the
bill as an honest attempt TO interpret
the rights of the state as included in
the word concurrent" He said that
he had no sympathy for the stupid
and mercenary liquor interests, but he
was concerned about the rights of the
people of New Jersey.
The right of New Jersey to pass such
bill was taken up in detail by Sena-
tor Brown, Democrat, who insisted
that if the action of the state was
against the spirit of the Constitution
he would be the last to urge its pas
sage.
Would Like More Kick.
He said his only regret was that it
would permit the brewers to sell beer
that contained SO per cent water and
he would like to have more substan-
| tial beverage legaliZed.
Senator Haines said he was against
| it because it would not allow the peo-
pie to be heard on whether they want
ed it or not.
Senator Whitney, Republican, of
Morris, although against prohibition,
pleaded with the members of the SEN
ate to protect federal rights as against
state rights.
The most powerful argument against
| the bill was made by Senator Runyon,
Republican, of Union, in a fervent
plea, declaring it to be the most i'm
oortant piece of legislation ever acted
On in New Jersey at is not a ques-
ton of wet or dry, but question of
whether New Jersey should raise its
head in rebellion against the Constitu-
| ton of the nation he said.
The acrimony of the discussion was
contributed by Senator Simpson of
Hudson, who vigorously ripped asun-
| der the argument of Senator Runyon
and ridiculed the fervid address, de-
claring that the people are not Bene-