The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-05-08


noticeable during the last legislature.
Nevertheless, two bills were passed
taht are proving effective weapons
in the hands of the temperance forces
one was the calling of a constitution
al convention. Through the efforts
of tn w. C. T. U. about 1000 voters
petitioped tat convention for pro-
hib1tory clause in the new constitu-
ton. The battle was intense, and
stirred teh whole state. There Is
no doubt that the prohibitory section
asked for would have been passed
in sue form as to be voted upon sep
arately, had not the legislature, for
seeing that probability, provided that
the new constitution be presented
to the voters in one solid document.
The other measure was the Bunt-
ing bill, permitting saloonkeepers to
present surety bonds when no other
bonds can be secured. This bill was
passed because it was becoming so
difficult in many parts of the state
for saloonkeepers to obtain accept
able bonds. Under the Bunting law
these surety bonds must be rejected
if a majority of the citizens petition
to that effect. According to the
wording of the law, 1t has been found
to be applicable to all bonds. This
gives the voters the power to petit
ton the saloons out unless the court
decides otherwise.
Fourteen counties voted on the To-
cal option question. At present writ
ing ten are reported as going dry, and
much crooked work is reported in the
returns from the other counties.
Four villages not in local option
counties also voted dry"
The results indicate 260 saloons
and two breweries voted out. A cam
paign of law enforcement is now on.
Kelly S. Searle, circuit judge of
Gratiot and Clinton, is said to have
made one of the most telling speeches
of the campaign, while sentencing
wife murderer in the latter county.
He had the opportunity-the court
room and corridors were crowded
and the occasion, and used them with
telling effect. The speech has re-
ceived statewide mention.
The w. G.. T. U. has been actively
at work. The state president has
been necessarily in the field, and the
other field workers goodly portion
of the time. The local women have
worked with zeal and enthusiasm.
Saloonkeepers freely admit their
establishment at the result. They of
course declare 1t to be unjust and
un-American and prohpesy that as
soon as it is better understood, Michi-
gan citizens will not stand for it.
Nevertheless, the enthusiasm in
creases. One by one the newspapers
swing into line with the temperance
forces, and politicians who have been
emphatically championing the cause
of the enemy, are climbing on the
fence to see which way to jump.
Many Cities "Dry'' in Colorado.
Many Colorado cities were added
to the "dry column at the recent
aspiring elections, and not one went
back to license. There were some
hard fought campaigns and notable
victories. Palisades, small town
over the range, won in it's first effort
to rid itself of it's three saloons. A
w. C. T. u with many honorary
members was organized few weeks
previous to election, and the men say
the victory could not have been won
without it. The names of the anti-li-
license candidates were not put upon
the ticket On the day before elec-
ton two churches were open for the
instruction of voters, as every name
had to be written in; on election day
the women carried voters in car
riages decorated with white, chill
dren wore white buttons bearing
the legend, vote for me-" and the
union served a free chicken dinner
to sixty-five no-Hcense workers.
For years Evans, only three miles
from prohibition Greeley, has beer
dominated by saloons. A no-license
ticket was nominated and the pro
position to make 1t anti-saloon ter
ritory was submitted to the people
Greeley white ribboners furnised mu
sic at public meetings and visited
from house to house, while Greeley
business men assisted in the cam
paign and furnished automobiles or
election day, as the saloon men haC
previously hired every conveyance
in Evans. The victory for temper
ance is a cause for rejoicing.
I Members of the Boulder W. c. T
U. canvassed unincorporated places
and brought such pressure to beal
upon the county commissioners tina
they passed resolution to grant nj
more licenses. These same womel
were instrumental in starting no-li
cense campaigns in seven small
towns, two of which went dry"