Hill Baits Upshaw

In the House of Representatives of the United States of America, Representative John Philip Hill, Republican (Wet), of Maryland, and Representative William David Upshaw, Democrat (Dry), of Georgia, staged the following skit:

Mr. Hill: "I wish the gentleman and his colleagues from Georgia would stand up on the floor of the House and take the pledge which the gentleman from Georgia wants us to take, never again to touch the flowing bowl, legal or illegal. When they do that I shall follow them and give up rum until we modify the Volstead Act."

Mr. Upshaw: "If I had a pledge card-- "

A page rushed up to Mr. Upshaw with a card that said:

Whereas, the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is productive of pauperism, degradation and crime, and believing it is our duty to discourage that which produces more evil than good, we therefore pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.

Whereas, good government demands obedience to law, I will stand for enforcement of all laws, including the prohibition of the liquor traffic. I here now, in the presence of Almighty God and my colleagues, sign this pledge.

Mr. Upshaw: "All right, Mr. Hill. I call your hand right now -- whatever that may mean." Mr. Upshaw signed. Mr. Upshaw: "Come on and sign!" Mr. Hill : 'I said I would sign if you persuaded the whole Georgia delegation to sign. But I am glad the gentleman has decided finally that he needs to sign it." Mr. Upshaw : "I am not responsible for my colleagues. They are all sober gentlemen!"