Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-10-10
TO COMPLETE ORGANIZATION OF
STATE LEAGUE.
LETTERS BEING SENT OUT
Promoters Propose to Organize Plain
Business Corporation Under the
Statutes of the State With Capital
Stock of Some Financial Basis Of
at Least 100000.
Madison, Oct. Z

meeting mas D00u Call0Q IOr
October II at 10 o'clock in the morning
at the parlors of the Park hotel, for
the purpose of completing the organiza-
ton of the Law Enforcement league
for the state.
Letters are being sent out all over
the state for the purpose of interest
ing people in the movement. The let
ters read as follows:
ga well known lawyer of this state
has suggested the plan which we out
line below-one that commends itself
to us so forcibly and so favorably that
we heartily join in recommending it to
every friend of law end order in this
state. It's great possibilities present
themselves to the most hurried bust
ness man, but at the same time also
suggest that only by strong company,
we'll organized, vigorously pushed, and
backed by adequate finances, can these
possibilities be realized. We give you
the following brief outline, having
avoided any cut and dried plan, as we
w
work. Despite much reform work in
this state and fair laws to restrain
evil, our weakest point is in the matter
of law enforcement. This is so pro-
nounced that, when new legislation is
sought, legislators suggest, with much
force, that If we cannot enforce pres
ent laws, there is no use in passing
new ones
"There are various reform organiza-
tions, each having it's own specific field
and making some feeble, spasmodic ef-
fort at enforcing laws touching it's own
lines of work; but such efforts end in
such constant failure that the courage
of workers, the generosity of givers,
and the sympathy of numerous we'll
wishers is lost. One or two defeats
bring a general collapse. The causes
of failure are not far to seek. They
are, first, inexperienced, second, in
adequate preparation third, no one
to give counsel; fourth no secret SER
vice, and fifth, no strong statewide
union of good men, backed by money
and workers, and prepared to fight on
till we win the hard contested battles
that must be waged. There would
seem to be a great need for an organ
ization possessing all of these qualifi-
cations, one not hampered by being
considered a Sunday rest association
an anti-cigar society, an anti-saloon
league, temperance union, or any
other reform organization, but COM
posed of influential business men, and
supported without the constant beg
ging of reform organizations. The ques-
ton is, what form should it take?
From practical and business stand
point, we make this suggestion:
LET us organize a plain, business
corporation under the statutes of this
state. with a capital stock or some
financial basis of at least 100000 and
ask business men to subscribe, with
the understanding that we will not re-
quire them to pay for the stock but
only to pay the league per cent to
| 10 per cent. year for its use, as it's
expenses may require. The men who
Subscribe for the stock shall come to-
gether in the near future, as soon as a
reasonable amount of stock is sub
cribed,-organize as any corporation
would and determine it's policy plan of
operation, officers, etc. 1t will not,
Of course, seek to take the place Of Of
fcials, but rather to aid them in their
work. You will readily see that such
financial backing would mean great
things for law enforcing and for a
general uplift in the courage and con-
science of the people. 1t would
crystalline sentiment as no amount of
other effort would crystalize it. 1t
would be in position to know what
further laws are needed, and to ask
for them with force that no special
reform organization can exert. Be-
sides this, bad men and law violators
| would fear the work of such an organ