Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-11-01
village NJ alters.

Last spring the TRIBUNE took the
position that village officials who we're
thoroughly IN sympathy with the tenn
perance cause were needed to enforce
the laws in case the people of the viii
lage decided that they would do away
with the legalized saloons. In this
position it supported the anti-saloon
ticket placed in the field by the people
who were opposed to the saloon traffic
in the village. Opposed to this ticket
was so-called Republican" ticket,
which the TRIBUNE very clearly at the
time showed was simply coalition
of the liquor element aud few poll
ticians, in which the latter traded off
the name OF their party for a mess Of
pottage consisting of q little public
patronage and a quantity OF political
support and 'prestige" of a doubtful
character. The parties upon this
ticket made their campaign among
temperance voters upon the promise
of a ''rigid enforcement of the law" in
case they were elected, and the sa-
looms we're voted out To the saloon
crowd they winked the other eye
They said we will be d dry council and
enforce the laws if the people say
"dry." or we will be equally glad to
take the saloon money and spend it.,
if the people say, ''wet.'' On the other
hand, the anti-saloon people said they
wanted officers who would be pledged
to oppose the liquor traffic at every
opportu nifty. There were enough tenn
perance voters in the city deceived by
the attitude Of the so-called "repub-
licans" to secure the election Of a pres
ident and four aldermen of that
crowd. The vote, however, on the
issue was most decisive, "no license"
winning by 68 majority.
u -
The TRIBUNE above all things
wishes to be fair in discussing any
question, and for that reason we will
reproduce an article which appeared
in. the Willmar Argus, March 20,
1899, which states the position of this
so-called REPUBLICAN" ticket. In the
light of subsequent events it is inter-
esting reading at this time. The ar
ticle read as follows:
It is disgusting III the extreme to notice the
efforts OF the W1LLMAR TRIBUNE to thwart the
wishes of the people of the village of Willmar.
Some time ago there was started in this village
a movement in favor Of the adjustment of the
saloons. Some OF the very best business men
were interested in the movement Frequent
meetings were held and o determination
seemed to he uppermost in the minds of all
connected with the movement that strict
enforcement OF the laws should be had and
further that the will of the people be quest
Toned and their purposes known. So far, so
good. But few days ago some self-styled
leaders OF the movement took the reins in
| their own hands,. Heads of committees were
| no longer consulted. Men that had been prime
movers were ignored A false doctrine was
injected into the movement and all those who
had not enlisted and many who had were open.
ly termed 1.-The whiskey people. Caucuses
were called and notices spread broad cast that
| those who favored the enforcement of the
law AND THE GRANTING OF NO LICENSE
NO MATTER WHAT THE VOICE OF THE
PEOPLE, were invited to name ticket OF
men who would abide by the decision of the
Anti-Saloon League and not the decision OF
the people of the village. The idea is foreign
to fairness and honesty and is ultra-un- Ameri.
can and we feel sorry that any one in Willmar
| who has the good will of his fellow citizens at
| heart and who is filed with desire to forward
the interest Of the city financially and morally
| should father such IN idea much less nurture
it and feed it with their influence Shame on
such men. Do they not know that they have
| driven from the original movement many OF
the best men they had! Men who were in the
service OF right and sjustice before some OF
| these would-be leaders were born! There is q
| right way to do everything and there is right
way to look at the temperance and license
question. n @1~s 4.:.T r * rz*.. &
The republicans have at no time attempted
to thwart the. intentions OF temperance peo
pie. There has been desire on the part OF
the TRIBUNE ana some Of its patrons for some
time to place the republi leans behind the sa,