The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-12-06
For the Fight Over
Liquor Legislation.
WILHELM ON GROUND
Stark Senator Will Take q Ac'
tive Part In the Prelimina-
ries- Queer Com mpiication
In the Liquor League.
From a staff Correspondent.

From Staff Correspondent.
Columbus, Dec. 3.-Senator George
W.. Wilhelm came quietly into town
Monday evening. He is not an easy
man to find when he Is in the city, for
the reason that he stops at his old
boarding house and is seldom there
more than few minutes when he Is
not there to sleep. The senator Is one
of the busy men of the senate. He Is
considered a safe and conservative
man, and his counsel and aid are sought
by many of the leaders. There are
many important questions to come up
in the legislative halls this winter, and
Senator wilhelm will have hand in
deciding what shall be done with many
of them.
During the campaign Senator viii
helm came to Columbus very frequent
ly. At one time there was little
scare, as 1t could not be determined
just what influence the attitude of Gov
ernor Nash with reference to the lib
general result. Then the Anti-Saloon
league was bothersome. as Foraker
hadn't succeeded in getting it muzzled.
Senator Wilhelm was one of the first
persons sent for when that question
came up. The failure Of the league to
accomplish anything against him is
eloquent testimony of the cleverness or
the senator, for he had much to do with
handling the question from the inner
circle. He has not compromised in
any sense with the Anti-Saloon league.
for the compromise was all the other
way.
Senator Wilhelm had little to say
Monday night. He went to the Neil
house and dropped in at several other
places. Later in the evening he had
a conference on hand, but he would not
disclose the nature of 1t. That will
develop about the time he is ready to
leave town. The senator would have
nothing to say as to proposed legisla-
tion before this conference with state
leaders, but may do SO later.
THE LOCAL OPTION BILL.
! Some important influence is to be in
jected into the campaign of the liquor
interests against the ward option bill
,, that is to be introduced and against
, its compromise, the higher license
proposition. A hightoned organization
/ within the ranks of the liquor men is
to hold a meeting in Columbus during
this week, and matters pertaining to
: the liquor interests will be taken up,
!, This Is a secret organization, and in
j cludes in it's membership anybody that
: is even remotely connected with the
1 liquor interests. Those who rent places
G where liquor is sold are among the
members of this association of inner
!, circlers. This feature of the matter
Is, not relished by the members of the
I liquor league, and they have resented
it. 1t Is a notorious fact that large
: number of Methodists, Baptist ant
0 Presbyterian deacons and elders Owr
3 property in which saloons are con
J. Quoted, and the probability that these
y men shall get into control Of the or
8 ganization of league formed In thu
interest Of the exclusively saloon peo
pie is not looked upon with favor.
company VI ucdCOuS III Ciooc dnoOCiti
ton with the liquor interests is an in
congruous situation that the member
y of the state liquor league are anxious
to avoid.
HELPING THINGS ALONG.
OF course 1t is honest for these dea
!. cons and elders to be members of tn
organization. II they allow thei
@ property to be conducted in the inter
y est of the liquor element there Is NJ
+ sane reason why they should not be
4 come members of the organization
r. throw off the mask and preserve thet
Q consciences as best they can.
y At the meeting this week thes
n allied church and liquor interests Wi
e talk matters over and endeavor t
Is frame a plan of action that will nc
a result in too serious harm being don
[. the liquor interests of the state
y 1t Is conceded that in all liquor leg
le islation, Senator Wilhelm will be cor
Is sidered the leader of the conservativ
is element In the senate, with a liberf
ID sprinkling of liberality in the consel
rs yatism. BER e. WILLIAMSON.