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

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s3ss333 INTERPRETATIONS
+ i. + 1. i. + + i. i. i. + \ + + s. +
+ ARTICLES under this heading +
+ are nearly all contributed in I.
+ response to our invitation to \
+ the public to discuss the sub +
+ ject with the view of helping +
+ to solve the liquor problem, +
+ rather than keep up an argu- +
+ ment. Some of the writer's are !.
1. willing their names should be +
+ used with their articles, while +
+ others prefer that they should +,
+ not-not because they are +
i ashamed of their views, but be- !.
+ cause they do not care to be +
i. in the lime light-Editor.) !.
+ + + i !. + + J. !. !. + + I. j. i. !. +
THE WOMEN'S PART IN ELEC-
TION CAMPAIGNS.
1t was fitting that in every state
where the saloon question entered
into the elections of the weeks just
past, and in nearly every city and
village and town, the women and the
children should have taken so promi-
nent a part in all the campaigning;
for in a peculiar sense it was their
battle. The comment of the New
York World upon the Illinois cleo
lions might be applied with equal
truth to the white ribboners of the
other states. The World says: "A
good deal of the spirit of rs appears
to have cropped out in the Illinois
women who have enlisted to conquer
the demon rum"
Never before have there been such
campaigns. 1t is impossible to give
more than a glimpse here and there;
though volumes might be written-
and inspiring volumes, too-on these
wonderful demonstrations of the
present tremendous anti-saloon en-
thusiasm.
The Illinois elections furnish some
particularly striking instances of
faithful and effective work of the
ballotless citizens. In many cities,
the saloon organizations hired all the
livery conveyances in advance, but
in every case private carriages and
automobiles in plenty were placed at
the disposal of the temperance work.
ers, the good women responding
generously to the call for help in this
particular Women canvassed the
voters, distributed campaign litera-
ture, planned meetings and parades,
marched through the streets, sang at
the polling places, served luncheons
to voters, kept watch for election
frauds, prayed in the churches. Miles
upon miles of children's professions
carried notices and banners and
sang and shouted their rally cries, in
hunWreds of cities and villages When
victory was announced crowds in
the streets sang the doxology, church
bells rang and bonfires blazed When
saloon majorities were given, the
temperance forces only strengthened
the ir determination to continue the
battle until they win, and meantime
to enforce the laws they have.
In Springfield, ILL.,, the state capt.
tai, where up to short time before
the election no one thought that the
temperance forces had showing, so
vigorous a-campaign was waged that
on the day before election the posi-
bility of "dry" victory was freely
conceded. While license carried the
day, the prohibition vote was large
enough to give hope of early victory
Other temperance organizations and
the women's clubs of the city Joined
with the w. G. T. U. in holding a
great temperance mass-meeting, at
which Mrs. L>JM. N. Stevens and Miss
Anna Gordon our National president
and vicepresident, we're the chief
speakers. A thousand children march
ed in procession on Sunday, and on
election day the women worked val.
iantly. Excitement reached white
heat, and never again will the sa
loon forces feel secure in Spring
field.
In Rockford the w. C. T. U. plan
ned to interest women who were no
members of temperance organiza
tions. Meetings were held designed
to furnish such women with argu
ments to be used in influencing vot
ers. ("Aside," says a Rockford cor
respondent, eve are convinced tina
1t is easier for a woman to cast he
own ballot than to influence a maj
to vote her way!'O The union ais,
gave the use of its rooms as head
quarters for the campaign commit
tee. The women helped canvass thu
city, distributed posters, etc. o.
election day. they served refersh
ments to workers during the hour
the polls were open, using one room
OF the temperance headquarters TO
this purpose, while in another room
a continuous prayer service was held
The w. G. T. U. took the lead II
all the work Of the women, and tn
campaign already has resulted in ad
ditions to the membership of tn
union. While the majority agains
saloons is comparatively small, Their
is marked determination to Sc
that the law is enforced.
In Champaign, 500 childre
marched In parade the afternoon bs
fore the. election. The children wor
badges with the words, vote 70