The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-04-17
PO LIT &c AL
Anti-racing Reform Checked.


gambling came up for final action be-.
fore the New York state senate, April
8, enough votes had been changed by
the influence Of the racing forces to
make q tie vote of 20 to 25. Lieuten-
ant Governor Chanler, presiding, had
not the power to cast deciding vote,
but he entertained a motion to recon-
slider and so gave the reform side an
other chance. Then on April 8 came
smashing special message demanding
the enactment of these measures to
comply with the constitution. To
friends he made it plain that he would
call an extra session If necessary.
Ryan Fund Story Revised.
The widely published report that
Thomas +. Ryan, the multimillonaire
head of the New York traction system,
had told the special grand jury that
100000 of the proceeds of the paper
ferries line was used to refund political
campaign contributions made by Whit
ney, Widener, Elkins, Dolan and him
self has now been denied under oath
by Ryan. The denial and a correction
came while he was being examined
as witness in the suit of minority
stockholders of the Metropolitan Street
railway, who claim they were deceived
by the directors. Ryan when question
ed about the payments from the ferries
road deal said 1t was in settlement Of
debt of the company, but would not
specify, admitting that it was done at
the dictation of the late w. c. Whit
ney, who then controlled the Metro
politan. 1t was in the nature of q re-
endorsement for sums advanced by
the parties interested two years before.
States Split on Local Option.
The saloon question was answered
variously at the polls in three states
April Illinois, Wisconsin and Ne
braska. In thousand townships of
Illinois this was the burning issue after
campaign full of intense feeling
and bitterness. Unusual electioneering
methods were in vogue. Women led in
prayer meetings, and the church bells
In some places rang frequently to re-
mind the voters of their duty. Tents
were erected near the voting places and
hot coffee and rolls served to voters
against the saloon. Wagons loaded
with children carrying banners and
singing temperance songs were driven
through the streets. Church choirs led
in public hymn singing. While these
methods and others helped to win most
Of fhn nd 10
ones to local option, majority of the
cities Of Illinois sustained the saloon
on a high license basis. In the latter
list stood such cities as Springfield,
Aurora. Elgin, Kankakee, Blooming
ton, Danville, Joliet and Alton, while
the optionists carried Rockford, Deca-
tur, Galesburg, Dixon and many small
er places.
In Wisconsin the Anti-saloon league
met with defeat, the appeal for per-
sonal liberty having great weight with
the German population, and several
towns which went dry two years ago
were won back to the saloon.
In Nebraska 800 cities and towns
voted Oh the license issue. Early re-
turns indicated that the area Of dry
ness would be increased to one-half.
At Lincoln the issue was between COM
plete prohibition and a restriction of
saloon hours to daylight or from Z
a. M. to Z p. m. A small majority for
the restricted saloon was returned.
Elections on the liquor issue were
held in fourteen counties Of Michigan
April G, and ten of these went dry.
Taft For Woman Suffrage.
Secretary Taft. upon reaching Gin.
cinnati for rest among old friends
after his trip west, expressed the be-
lief that woman suffrage will come
eventually"
Chicago Goes Republican.
In the local elections Mt Chicago the
Republicans elected twenty-three of
the thirty-flve candidates for city coun-
ell. Socialists cast over 10000 votes.
An Eastern Gray League.
Leading Democrats Of Pennsylvania.
New Jersey. Delaware and Maryland
met ut Philadelphia and organized the
George Gray league for the purpose of
pushing the candidacy of Judge Gray
for president Like Johnson. Gray in
sists that he is not seeking the nominal
ton, but he would accept. Gray head
quarters have been opened at Washing
ton.
Taft Wants a Big Army.
In his Columbus speech Secretary
Taft came out sQuarely In favor of a
larger standing army Of the militia.
While he thought there was no pros
pect Of another civil war, he pointed
out that well organized militia would
be most necessary should the forces
Of anarchy, socialism and revolt