New-York tribune., 1920-02-25
Edwards's Measure ssTo
Guarantee Liberty of
People" Wins, 1921,
After Bitter Wrangle
Court Arguments
Set for Next Week
Sharp Practice Charged
by Opponents; State
Position Strengthened

Special Dispatch to The Tribune


TRENTON, N. j., Feb. "a
Governor Edwards obtained his first
objective to-day when the Assembly
passed $50 per cent beer bill, 81
to 21.
This marks the elimination of the
Governor preliminary efforts to es-
tablish what he terms "New JERSEYS
privilege to guarantee the liberties
of its people, The passage of the
bill Will enable Attorney General
Thomas F. McCran to appear before
the United States Supreme Court
next week and assert that the state
through its Legislature has ex-
pressed itself in regard to its inter-
pretation Of the Eighteenth Amend
ment.
The bill came up for final passage
in an unexpected manner. There
was general agreement that when
the measure finally came before
either branch it would pass, but
tentative promise had been made to
representatives of the Anti-Saloon
League that they would have another
opportunity to be heard. A public
hearing had been fixed for next
Monday, when the Judiciary commit
tees of the Senate and House were
to sit in joint session.
McCran Causes Change
Attorney General McCran, however,
caused a change IN plans. He in
formed leaders of both parties that he
felt he would be much better equipped
# he could appear before the Supreme
Court next week with the affirmative
action of at least one branch of the
Legislature behind him. The Repub-
llcans caucused and the Attorney Cen
eral told them that the part of wis
dom would be to act Immediately.
The result was that the Judiciary
Committee reported favorably the bill
presented by Democratic Leader Bar
rett III the form of a committee subst-
tute. The original Barrett bill pro-
vlded that beer containing more than 4
per cent OF alcohol would be considered
Intoxicating. The substitute reduced
this percentage to $50. The path of the
bill was marked by parliamentary
wrangles and the btterest debate
fair methods and sharp tactics were
freely made, and Assemblyman Boswell
OF Ocean County, charged that on some
motions members were voted who were
not in the room
Speaker Glover frequently was in
difficulty The "dry" members were in
sistent in their demands, and upon one
occasion the Speaker found it neces-
safy to appeal to the sergeant at arms
to force Assembi yman Warner to take
his seat. Points of order and roll calls
obstructed the progress of the measure
FOR several hours, but when the final
were 81 in favor of legalizing the sale
OF $50 per cent beer and 21 opposed.
Republicans Bolt Leadership
Assemblyman Wallworth. of Cam
den, began the fight. He wanted the
whole subject submitted to d re 'er-
cndum. There was argument for and
against this, and the amendment was
lost. Then there was more debate on
ing under a suspension of the rules,
, and once more the advocates of $50
: won out
:, Further talk followed on various
parliamentary moves and several
: times the confusion became great.
Majority leader Hershfeld made no at
tempt to keep the Republican men,
s in line, and several of them
= uted that they would not follow his
4 !dership
Mr Rowland, Of Camden, said he
MAS satisfied that the majority of the
oeople of Cancen were in favor Of
4 sale of beer, but he objected to
manner in which the bill was be-
4 put over. He said it was not the
p ent and orderly way to do the
ng and, because he felt that the
! o1se was violating its promise, he
oIld not favor its passage. Mr.. War
.aer, Of Union. insisted that the pass
age OF the bill was brought about by
Derfidy.