Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-11
::Lo0KER.0N IN IOWA:
~

Geneva, Feb. 1O-In cornmon with
many others, the writer kas had de-
sire to fam. .iarize himself with the new
movement in Iowa generally known as
the State Marshal Club. TO this end ne
wrote the head of the movement, and
the following is in reply. Not only the
letter, but the constitution Of the clubs.
should be carefully read, for whether
we agree with Mr.. Rankin or not,
whether the reader is prohibitionist,
mulct law admirer, or believes in some
other form of legislative control of the
liquor traffic, the fact stands out in
Iowa today, there is Il tremendous lack
on our statute books.
| Centerville, Jan. 26, 1903-A. p.
Thayer, Marshalltown-Dear Sir: Your
favor addressed to me at Marion at
hand. I spent last week at Washing
| ton. Organized club with no voters.
Most of the leading business interests
of the city We're represented in the or
ganization. I began a weeks work here
yesterday Fully 500 men attended the
meeting for men in the afternoon, and
| the place was damned full at night.
| Two hundred and fifty-one signed thu
pledge at the evening meeting. l send
you book have written on the sub
| ject of law enforcement You will find
| the fundamental principles of the new
movement in Iowa in this book.
The movement for state marshals in
Iowa was organized at Newton last
spring, with the officers as indicated
/ oP iyjy his
| gone on, without any attempt at public
demonstration. Over thirty cities and
/ towns are now organized and Differed
by leading men of each place. The
popularity of the movement with men
of all parties surpasses anything l ever
presented on the temperance question
! This movement is separate and distinct
| from all other associations touching the
4 liquor traffic. First, 1T is not law and
order league, or anti-saloon league, to
! prosecute violations of the law; second
! it makes no declaration on the question
of licenses or prohibitions; third. it has
no pledge of total abstinence; fourth, II
makes no party utilization. The ques-
ton of enforcing the United States law
governing the liquor business never en-
i tiers partisan politics. 1t makes no diff
ference what party is in power, the
j United States law is enforced with ar
j iron hand. The state marshal movemeni
holds the state law to be just as sacred
and that the enforcement of Law
4 should never be made a partisan ques-
4 ton. The conduct of liquor men ir
} making the nom enforcement of law a
} paramount issue in city and town cleo
t;npc &c an Insult tn eVerystrlle Aneri-
! can citizen, and the time to bring this
1 corrupt I'M American conduct to ar
end is at hand
State marshals, free from local cleo.
i ton, free from local influence and bias
4 is the only practical way to put an enc
to this admitted evil that has been per-
mitted to grow up and fasten itself up
on our civil Institutions.
5 'rhe state marshal movement appeal.
to the patriotism and loyalty of ever,
: law-abiding citizen. Your very truly
A. c. RANKIN.
Here are the essential articles of the
Marshal Clubs organizations:
The LOYAL Citizens State Marshal Club
/ We, as loyal citizens of the state o
& Iowa, believe in the enforcement OF TIL
laws of our state governing the trafh
in intoxicating liquors.
III.
The constant and persistent Violation
of the prohibtory law In various part
: of our state. and the ignoring of tn
t provisions of the mulct law by thos
: engaged In the saloon business in man.
: Of the large centers Of population, ha