The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-08-13
DENIAL MADE
BY THE LEAGUE
SHUMAKER DECLARES REPUB-
LICANS HAVE NOT KID
MAPPED ORGANIZATION
&C. o. P. HAS RIGHT
KIND OF OPTION
PLANK.

progressed far, the charge has been
made frequently in various Demo
cratic papers, that the Anti-Saloon
league is in politics, and that it has
joined hands with the Republican
state organization. This, it is charg-
ed was brought about through the
adoption by the Republican state
convention of county local option
plan, while the Democratic state con.
vention declared for a local option
law, but said it should apply to town
ships and city wards.
According to the charge made, the
Anti-Saloon league has gone over
bodily into the Republican camp, and
is working for the Republican nomi-
nees throughout the state, but E. S.
Shumaker, state superintendent OF the
Indiana Anti-Saloon league, declares
that this charge is untrue, and that it
has no foundation whatever.
We are not bound to any political
party" he said "The Anti Saloon
league avoids alliances OF any kind
with any party. We study the indi-
vidual candidates and choose from
among them those we shall support
The fact is that the league favored
county local option and worked for it
long before either state convention
was held. The constitution of the
league guarantees that in no case
shall the league espouse the cause of
any political party, as such, but will
remain nonpartisan, and viii seek on
ly the election of candidates who are
in accord with the legislative policy
of the league. Right now we are fav>
oring the election of Republican can
didates for the legislature in some
counties, while in numerous other
counties we are working for Demo-
cratic candidates. Then there are
some counties where we are doing
nothing at all, because the candidates
on both tickets are unfavorable to
our policy, and it makes no difference
which side wins.
For over four years the Indiana
league has been seeking the enact
ment OF county unit law for the ex-
clusion of saloons. When our attor-
ney, R. c. Minton, drafted the orig
inal Moore remonstrance law in 1905,
it had in its county, ward and town.
ship features. The committee on pub
lie morals, however, eliminated the
county feature, so as to make the
measure correspond with the COVER
nor's recommendation and in the
amended form the Moore bill was
passed and Governor Hanly signed it.
In the Legislative session of 1907
our attorney prepared and had intro
duced county remonstrance bill. On
account OF the great battles waged
about the bind tiger bill. which the
Anti-Saloon league insisted should
first be passed, an dthe $1,000 license
bill, the county renonstrance bill
never had chance to- pass. Soon
after the adjournment of the legis-
lature in 1907 the Anti-Saloon league
decided to start movement to make
Indiana dry by 1912 and that the
county local option law would be the
best means of bringing about this
condition.
"On November &c, 1907, the trus-
tees of the league met and decided to
begin an active campaign for the en-
actment of county unit local option
law This was over four months pri,
or to the meeting of the state conven-
TONS For four years the league had
been advocating county unit ex-
clusion law, and for over a year had
been advocating county local option
as the best plan for bringing this
about
Under the circumstances the only
thing the Anti-Saloon league can do
is 70 sound each candidate in the diff
ferent parties and to ascertain from
him what he will do concerning a
county local option law is elected II
the candidates of both parties are I'M
qualfiedly in favor of such measure
and will support it then the league
will remain neutral. If one candidate
favors it while the candidate of the
other party is opposed or refuses to
commit himself. the duty of the
league in the premises will be clear
But in 20 case will candidate be in.
dorsed unless he stands squarely in
favor OF county local option law
while his ODDonent does not"