Griggs courier., 1898-06-24
North Dakota State Enforcement
League.

among the best citizens OF the state.
Business men are giving it their
financial support as they recognize
in it potent factor in promoting the
best moral and material interest of
our commonwealth. We feel sure
that better knowledge OF the work
il is doing, will be of interest to the
public. The report of the league,
printed in March this year is an
interesting document, from it the fol-
lowing facts and statements are TAX
en-: Evidence of the illegal sale Of
alcoholic liquors has been secured in
in some 21S cases. Convictions or
closing of places of such business has
been effected in 139 cases. About
so cases proved unsuccessful from
detectives selling out to ''piggers" or
neglected by officials and finally dis
missed. In 23 cases witnesses "skip-
ped out" before trial; 6 cases are
still on the calender. In all of these
the league bias furnished the evidence.
1t gladly acknowledges the fact
that in some places the county of
hcals have enforced the law. without
its aid. The secretary say: "In
this connection, wish to State that
in all the counties except Grand
Forks, the officials have cheerfulv
received the assistance of the league.
We earnestly commend the faithful
work of states attorney Meyers: Of
Walsh county, Swenson or Trail ancl
Kelly of Nelson. All of these Of
hciais seem TO he Jealous in their
purpose To enforce the law, and some
of them have materially helped the
league financially. g IS ::
's'lhe attorney general can not be
counted on rs friend of the league,
judging from our experience. IS :* y
The law i, persistently and llagrantly
violated in our capital city, but the
attorney general ignors this fact"
In summing up. the report says:
"Taking all in. it can be said that the
prohibitory law is now better enforced
than ever before In only d few cities
of the state is the law openly violated.
very few 'blind pigs do a paying
business, and the demand from the
people for enforcement is stronger
than ever. The league is an import
ant factor in this state: the lawless
element fears us. and every where the
people look to the league for help.
Enforcement makes friends for the law
everywhere. We have only one more
year to fight this battle. Within a
year we hope to have a state temper
ance commissioner. Let it be said
that the league saved prohibition in
North Dakota. 1t is safe to say that
had South Dakota such an enforce
ment league: she would still enjoy
prohibition. The consumption of Ii
quor has decreased Is per cent in this
state under prohibition.
Although in the first year, the league
has done more than ever before. VIC
do not feel justified in claiming for the
league credit for all the success and
the marked change in public sentiment
which has been recently noticeable
Many influences have worked together
for these results. The leading news
papers in the state have taken a finn
stand in advocating enforcement. The
w. G. L. Unions all over the state
and the able state president, Miss
Elizabeth Preston. have been aiding
to mould this sentiment. Above all
we most recognize the Work of the
Hon. \. G. Rankin as the main cause
III the awakening of public sentiment.
Resolutions Adopted:
Resolved, That we view with graft
tude the great amount Of successful
work accomplished by the league dur
ing the past year, and express our sim
cere thanks to the w. G. r. U.. the I. o.
G. T., and all other associations that
have helped SO much in moulding
public sentiment, as we'll as to the
judges and district attorneys who
have enforced the law so we'll in near
ly all parts of the state, and we also
heartily commend the earnest, faith
full work done by Hon. A. G. Rankin
IN his lecture tours throughout the
state, which has gone so far towards
awakening proper public sentiment.
For all of which we thank God and
and take courage.
Resolved that we urge the necessity
OF having the temperance people in all
parts of the state attend the primaries,
and in this connection we endorse the
good citizenship movement and hearth
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