Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-21

where, been cast on the side of prohibition.
Yet 1t has here some peculiarities, found no.
where else in the State. Along the shore of
Lake Erie is climate and soil that are un-
rivalled for the production of grapes and
barley. The vineyards so famous up along
the lake front of New York State begin In
Erie county and skirt the lake in PennsYl-
vania from Harbor creek to the town OF
North East. Tons of grapes are shipped
every summer from this region 10 Buffalo,
New York and Chicago. There they enter
the domestic markets, but the finest are
pressed into wine at factory in North East.
The barley belt lies back from the vine
yards, but in no place does it lie farther
/ than ten miles back from the lake shore.
From l, 400 bushels in 1S41 the barley crop
of Erie county has increased now to nearly
400, 600 bushels annually; and where, IN
1S41, the whole barley crop went begging at
81 cents per bushel, it now readily brings
rs and so cents per bushel. 1t is known all
over the United States as the best, and from
their barley crop the farmers of Erie county
realize $500, 900 every year.
Four large breweries in Erie deal with
these farmers, and much of the crop of bar
lev goes into liquor production elsewhere.
Yet / find it to be a fact that perhaps half
of the bailey and grape growers are Constr
tutional amendment adherents, and will
vote for it. Why, up in the neighborhood
of North East, where the wine presses are,
the majority of the people sign remon-
strances against licenses being granted for
the sale of liquor. But the number Of votes
influenced in June by the barley and grape
culture will affect the result some.
DEMOCRATS REvENGEFUL.
Even the political side issues are mixed
up in Erie. l met more Democrats here
who will vote for the amendment than Re-
publicans. A Democratic journalist said
to me:
would not be surprised to see Erie county
give a small majority for the amendment. A
great many Democrats feel sore over the treat
ment they have had here at the hands of the
liquor interests. They have been compelled to
bear the odium of being the friends of whisky
same liquor men. 1t is much the same feeling
that prevails all over the country am ong Dem
ocrats, that the liquor vote, which elect,
Cleveland for President. This feel
ing has been intensified in this
State by the knowledge of the philadelphia
brewers Sl00 600 contribution to Matt Quay's
campaign fund to elect Harrison. Aside from
political questions believe the vote in Erie's
country districts will offset the liquor majority
in Erie and Cory cities.
A Democratic physician said:
The municipal elections in Erie city yester-
tional amendment in June. II it is found that
the liquor men cut the Democratic candidates,
Constitutional amendment will be adopted by
Erie county. In any event 40 per cent of the
Democrats in Erie county will vote for prohibit
tion and if the liquor men are found to have
voted with Republicans IN the local elections
60 per cent of the Democratic vote will be cast
against them in June.
A. E. Sisson, Esq, District Attorney,
said:
The result is uncertain, and for whoever wins.
the majority will be very small. Fifty per cent |
of the Republicans will vote against the |
amendment in Erie city, and 25 per cent of |
them in the country districts. Usually the total
vote of the townships and boroughs is greater |
than that in Erie city and Cory; but with the |
prospects of light vote among farmers on ac-
count of June being their busy season and a |
liberal tendency among some of them, it |
promises to be very close this time. |
CONFLICTING INTERESTS
Ont of 2l9 ann1ications for Honor 1;oon.o, |