Evening journal., 1908-08-19
POLITICAL
Shall DeIaWare'S
Candidate Be
Wet or Dry?

able to temperance interests, for the rea-
son that the National Legislature is sure
to be from this time on the scene OF
conflict between the friends and foes Of
the saloon. Measures deeply affecting the
stability of local option laws in many
states, including Delaware, and provid-
ing for their effective enforcement are
bound to be introduced and urged to
passage; laws killing the saloon as an.
American institution are certain to be
championed and passed at no far dis
tant day Therefore, the problem Of the
saloon is one with considerable con-
gressional bearing. 1t is so regarded
throughout the nation. Already the
great Methodist Church has declared war
on Speaker Cannon. of the House OF
Representatives, recognizing him to be
the arch enemy Of temperance legisla-
ton in Congress.
The call Of the church to this fight
is couched in these words:
I'VE believe the time has come
when our people who want to OBJ
tain this legislation will support for
Congress candidates who will not
only vote for these measures, if they
get a chance, but will themselves
support for Speaker a man who will
allow them to be voted upon, and
that their passage is improbable un-
til Christian voters recognize this sit
uation and cast their ballot accord
ingly."
In line with this agitation elsewhere,
the authorities of the Delaware Anti
Saloon League have interviewed the
prominently mentioned Congressional
candidates Of the Republican party in
Delaware upon these matters with the
following results:
In the case OF Mr.. Alfred o. Crozier,
his reply TO the letter of inquiry sent
him by the League authorities has al
ready been published and his sentiments
favorable to Congressional temperance
Legislation are well-known. The League
is interested in Mr.. Crozier for the rea-
son that it is interested in any and all
candidates for public office who promise
to do if elected what the League and its
many supporters want done Mr.. Crozler
promises this, and having heard no rea-
son assigned to make him unit as a
| Congressional candidate we gladly sup-
ply to our friends sufficient intelligence
to help them TO act wisely in his case.
| a
rected to Congressman Hiram r. Bur-
ton, asking for his views upon Inter-
State Liquor Shipment legislation and
other kindred propositions. The receipt
Of that letter was acknowledged by
George N. Davis. Secretary to the Con-
gresham, and a reply to the same
promised. On July 18th, no reply to the
former letter having been received. an
other letter was sent to CONGRESSMAN
Burton bearing the same import. In re-
ply 70 which, the Congressman visited
the office of the Anti-SaIoon League on
the afternoon OF July 10th and gave "a
the District Superintendent Rev John
NJ Arters a verbal statement OF his
position with reference TO the Legislation
in question. Having obtained no ap-
thority to make the Congressman's yer
bal position public Mr. Arters on Angus
18th directed the following letter to DR.
Burton:
August 1s. 1908.
Hon. Hiram r. Burton.
Lewes, Del.
My Dear SIR
The developments in the Congress
sional situation so far as they anect
our temperance interests have reach
ed the stage where It is necessary
for US to make public the position Of
all candidates upon the subject Of
proposed national temperance legisla-
ton. I greatly appreciate your re-
cent visit to me and the understand
ing which we had then, and am
writing TO know how much. II any,
OF that interview 1 may with your
consent make public. think II
would be well for you in a few words
TO say to me in a letter what you
said to me here in the office, so that
may use it along with similar in
formation received from other can.
didates. am compelled 10 publish
Whatever you may have to say not
later than Tuesday next. and shall
be glad to hear from you prior to
that time, authorizing what shall be
said as to your position.
Awaiting your reply. / am,
Yours very truly.
John NJ Arters,
District Supt.
In reply to this letter, the followinr
has been received from Congressman
Burton:
Lewes. Del. Aug. H.
The Rev. John NJ Arters,
Wilmington, Delaware.
Ny Dear SIR
In reply TO your letter of August
18TH / wish to say that 1 am a can
didate for denomination. II success
ful think it right that my views
should be known. So until after the
convention, I prefer not to make
any statement for publication.
Yours very truly,
H. r. Burton.
We can think Of no suficlent reaso
for the Congressmans unwillingness I
make known his position upon probabl
Congressional temperance legislation {
the people Of Delaware. whose vote h
desires and the majority of whom ar
favorable to the abolition of the saloor
Because the Congressman is unwilun
to make public his views on these mat
ters we are compelled to publish all tn
facts available so that our friends ma
Judge for themselves his probable pos
ton on matters affecting Temperance
legislation and the enforcement of law
against the saloon.
1t will be recalled that on March 2oti
1907, the Wilmington Conference of tn
Methodist Episcopal Church in sessio
at Smyrna, Delaware, unanimousl
passed the following resolution:
Having heard also that at a han
quet held in the Hotel Richardson
in Dover last Monday night our rep
resentative in the lower branch of the