Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 285, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1917 — PROHIBITION Wife IN HOUSE [ARTICLE]

PROHIBITION Wife IN HOUSE

AMENDMENT NOW READY FOR STATES’ ACTION—DON’T NEED WILSON O. K. Washington, Dec. XV.—Nationwide prohibition won in the house today and only the adjustment of a slight difference in resolutions between the house and senate now stands in the way of submitting to state legislatures an amendment to the federal constitution forbidding the manufacture, sale or importation of intoxicating liquors for beverage Woses in the United States or its tories. The vote in the house, taken after a day of debate before crowded galleries, was 282 to 128, with the parties dividing almost evenly. The margin for prohibition was just eight votes more than the necessary two-thirds of the membership of the house required for adoption, and twenty-six more than twothirds of those voting. Both wets and drys had been predicting victory all day and it was not until the last few names had been called that the anti-prohibition forces conceded their defeat. When Speaker Clark announced the result the victors were joined by the galleries in such a demonstration as is rarely permitted in the house. Former. Secretary Bryan, an interested spectator nearly aU day, appeared on the floor and joiivd in receiving congratulations witr? K jpresentative Webb, of North Carolina, who had led the fight.

The resolution adopted by the house is identical with that passed by the senate last August, except that it gives the states seven years instead of six in which to ratify the amendment. Senator Sheppard author of the resolution, predicted tonight that the senate would accept the amendment tomorrow. He said he had assurances that the seven year period would be approved, and that he did not believe a roll call necessary. The president’s approval is not required, and the state legislature may act as soon as they please after the signatures of the vice president and Speaker Clark have been attached to the resolution. i “It will be submitted tomorrow as a Christmas present to the American people,” said Senator Sheppard, “and I believe it will be ratified within three years. “Every attempt today to put on amendments to except light wines and beer was beaten, and 141 democrats stood aligned with 137 republicans and four independents to win the final victory for the prohibitionist forces. Following is the resolution as adopted: “Resolved, By the senate and house of representatives that the following amendment to the constitution be and hereby is proposed to the states, to become valid as a part of the constitution when ratified by the legislatures of the several states as provided by the constitution: “Article 1. Section 1, After one year from the ratification of this article, the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation 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 appropriate legislation. “Section 3. This article shall be inorerative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the constitution by the legislatures of the several states as provided in the constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the statute by the congress.”