The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-07-22
fend any In Ottawa who are guilty Of violation

fend any In Ottawa who are guilty OF violation
Of the ordinances.
Mr.. Mayo quite agreed with the previous
speakers, and thought that all laws should he
enforced, not the liquor laws alone. he would
favor an organization Of that kind.
j. w. Duncan made handsome apology Tor
prcsuming to speak upon a municipal matter.
He had been urged to give his views and reluc'
family consented. He must speak from very
limited knowledge of the city, having resided
here but short time. So far as he was able to
Judge there was not the slightest reason for such
q league. Ottawa was remarked by all visitors
for its law abiding qualities, and especially for
its quiet on Sunday. He had been through Its
business centers frequently on that day and had
yet to see single saloon open or drunken man
on the streets. He would advise the handling oil
this matter with extreme caution for should a
league be formed 1t would be heralded forth to
the world as matter Of necessity; that great cor.
ruption and lawlessness prevailed and that the
authorities were unwilling or unable to put the
evils down. He could not see, Judging all the
time from his short residence here, the necessity
of any league in Ottawa.
Mr.. Lincoln followed with few remarks in
which he said he thought much as the other
speakers did, that no society for the sole purpose
of enforcing one set Of laws should be though,
Of He would give his support to one for the en-
forcement Of all laws, If one be deemed neces
sary.
Mr.. Hawkins took the floor again and attempt
ed to explain that this was not temperance
meeting, nor was it necessary to send to Chicago
for detective.
Rev. d. P. Mcpherson, to whose eXertions
principally the meeting was due, rose and spoke
warmly In favor of the organization of league
alleging positively that one was necessary; laws
are openly violated, and the speakers know the
facts as well as himself. The police force were
not to be blamed for these violations, for without
the backing of the council and public sentiment
of what use was it to try and enforce the laws
to say nothing of the danger of removal should
the attempt be made. This speaker was probably
the most in earnest and seemed to see the neces
sity of league more than any Of the Others
The state organizer then said if there was any
desire to effect an organization motion would
be in order; which was accordingly made by Mr.
Mcpherson to the effect that We organize on
platform broad enough to cover all laws. A vot,
was taken and the chairman was unable to decide
which side was really the more numerous, and
standing vote was ordered. This settled it
two-thrds of those present voting for and onl.
about half dozen against the motion.
The business OF the evening was then speed
ly concluded by the selection of president, see
rotary and a committee On constitution and by
laws, who shall also report an executive com
mittee. Henry Mayo was elected president l.
A. Williams secretary, and Messrs. Henry Mayo
f. F. Bull. Chas. Blanchard L. L. Thompson ant
DR.. Stout were appointed the committee.
the meeting the adjourned to meet at the cal
of the committee.