San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-19
Blaine Shakes Fist at Tex
an as Row Reaches
Climax.
DRYS FIN ALLY WIN
Parker Threatens to Resign
From Annual Con-
ference.

west Baden. Ind., Oct. ia for
NAL resolution pledging President
Coolidge the fullest cooperation" in
the enforcement of prohibition was
adopted by the fifteenth annual COVER
nors' conference here today after a
stormy debate. The adoption of the
motion was accompanied by a tumult
of shouting and stamping, during
which Governor John VI. Parker, OF
Louisiana left the meeting.
The resolution was placed before the
conference by Governor William Z.
Sweet of Colorado, with q demand for
record roll call. Its adoption, how
ever. was by a voice vote.
When the conference met today,
Governor Z. p. Baxter of Maine, called
for unfinished business and Governor
William +. Sweet of Colorado. stated
that the re-draft of the memorial on
the prohibition question to be pre-
scented to President Coolidgfe at the
luncheon conference in Washington to-
morrow was ready for the signatures
of the governors.
Governor Blaine Objects.
Governor ]. ]. Blaine. of Wisconsin.
was on his feet instantly with objec-
tons to the singing of the memorial.
declaring that the round robin is N
unfair evasion of our rule against reso-
lutions."
He urged a discussion of methods of
enforcing the Volstead act instead "of
proclaiming from the housetops that
we are virtuOus men and good COVER
nOrs."
Il am opposed TO the eighteenth
amendment and the Volstead act and
- = -
clared Governor Blaine, but there is
no criticism of the enforcement of tie
laws in our state. If we are meeting
here to memorabilia on the enforcement
of laws, we should neglect none. This
fanaticism is base hypocrisy"
Governor John NJ. Parker, of Louisi-
ana. declared he would resign from the
conference of governors il n single
name were attached to the memorial.
The Ku Klux Khan is the greatest
issue in America today" he declared.
land that question demands the time
and attention of this meeting instead
Of mere words on the eighteenth
amendment"
II have declared martial law twenty
times in various parts of Texas TO in
sure law enforcement" asserted Pat
NJ. Neff. governor of the Lone Star
state. "and il Al governors refuse to
sign this memorial. it still will go TO
the national capital with the signature
of the largest unit of this republic.
President Coolidge has invited the
governors to Washington to discuss
prohibition and not the Ku Klux Kan.
and. we. therefore, should confine our
selves to the purpose Of the meeting.
Let this conference proclaim, TO
every bootlegger and every distiller in
this country that this law will be en-
forced. And let us proclaim TO the
enemies OF the constitution that never
more will America look upon the blight
of civilization and the curse OF humans
ity since time began-the liquor traf-
fic.
Parker Interrupts Neff.
"This is not n consideration OF the
merits of prohibition. That question
WAS settled by the voice of lOO,Uu.-
600 people and il is settled forever
No state. be it New York or Wiscc'i-
sin. has the right to encourage the
enemies of the federal constitution
Governor Parker interrupted the
Texas governor with the statement
that the Ku Klux Khan is seeking to
fake charge of the constitution anu
Governor Blaine rose TO point ot
order TO challenge Governor Neh ON
his statement regarding encouraging
enemies of the constitution. With sew
elal governors clsmoring for the floor.
Governor Baxter restori order only
hy vigorous pounding with the gavel-
Leaning over Governor Netts chair
and shaking his fist at him. Governor
Blaine asked: ~Will the governor
please answer the question whether
Jaw enforcement is in proelamations or
in aetiOns?"
we must show the outlaws thst
first there is the will ef public Off
Gers to enforce the law shouted Gov
ernor Neff. ~and second we must nat
them on the rock piles OF our state
penitentiarieS TO consider their wavS.
Governor George ;. Silzer ~ New
Jersey. joined the debate WITH the
/ statement that New Jersey Is M wet
Ter than any other state. I'VE are IN
I favor Of law enforcement. he confin-
eel. but the will to enforce the lay
\ was not the end Of the question N
New Jersey