New-York tribune., 1907-11-02
DRINK DELAW ARE ISSUE
Hafate- Wide Prohibition To Be VOted
On at Coming Election.

wilmington Del, Nov. / (SpeciaD.-An Della
frre will vote on November on the question OF
syhether the manufacture and sale Of intoxicating
nquor shall be continued IN the state, or whether
local option shall prevail The prediction campaign
has been the most exciting one in Deawace's po-
mtical history
The vote Will be by districts. the constitution set
ting forth four sections in which the question can
be decided These are, respectively. the city OF
Wilmington, rural New Castle County (all Of the
county outside OF Wilmington Kent County and
Sussex County. The vote will be a total one in each
district IN order TO carry the entire commonwealth.
therefore, the "drys" will be compelled TO win IN
every district
Party lines have been obliterated IN the fight,
the recent action of the Republican State Commit
tee In adopting II resolution declaring that the
party organization would rot take sides being a
in point.
It is understood that the National Association
of Liquor Men has contributed $4,000 toward a cam
paign fund TO defeat prohibition. This is inde-
pendent of about 100000 which the brewers and
wholesale liquor dealers in Delaware are said TO
have subscribed.
The organization of the 'wets" IS known as the
Business Mems Protective Association James H
Kane, wealthy saloonkeeper of Wilmington, be
Eng the president. George Muller, of Ciear1eld
County, Penn an orator well known in labor ci-
cles. has been engaged 10 direct the plan OF cam
paign. He was formerly prohibition speaker. and
IS q teetotaler.
The situation is anomalous one by reason OF
the fact that the Rev. William Thomson, OF Ne"
Zealand, who came 10 the United States to inves-
tigate the effects OF prohibition is also identited
with the liquor end. He denounces prohibition. ana
conbats the 'drys" in debate regarding the efa-
cacy OF prohibition in Maine. He spent several
weeks in Maine studying prohibition
The organization of the 'drys" is known as the
Anti-Iicense State Committee Of which Alexander
n Daily. a leading Democratic attorney Of Dover,
Is chairman. The committee has chairman in
Of the four districts the personnel being di-
vided politically The "drys' are we'll supplied with
funds Thomas n. Rawlins. State Treasurer and
Republican is secretary of the state committee.
The arguments of the "drys" for enectuai
local option, the condition that now obtains
in nine counties of Maryland along the Eastern
Shore" The vets answer that If the 'drys
should win the state will be overrun with speak
easles," and the Of $1,000 which the com
monwealth now receives annually from liquor
licenses would be lost The ant-license forces re-
tort that local option would mean fewer prosecu-
tions and consequently q smaller expenditure for
state government.
It is believed Kent and Sussex counties will go
dry The real battle-ground is in Wilmington
and rural New Castle County. The liquor inter
ests will make their greatest fight in that city,
where they have more than s6,0O000O invested
is likely that the liquor interests Will test the
matter in court should they be defeated in any OF
the four districts. AS a victory for the "drys' In
Kent and Sussex counties seems probable. extend
ed litigation viii doubtless come before local op
ton. should it win in the state. Will be actually in
effect