The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-07-30

cities CT the state where there have
been violations Of the prohibition law
the women are organizing for crusadei
against bootleggers and gamblers
They expect 10 WELD sufficient influ-
ence with the city and county officers
10 compel a strict enforcement of the
lid law. The Oklahoma bootlegger has
proven willy character, hard to catch
difficult to hold, and always with an
alibi when time for trial comes.
An attempt was made in the recent
Oklahoma legislature to pass a law
that would prevent an easy method
of obtaining a change Of Judge In lid
violation cases. Il was argued that
under the present system bootleggers
had no trouble IN swearing Judge
off the bench and getting another one
TO their liking The advocates Of new
law were very active and made an
aggressive campaign, but the bill met
defeat during the last days OF the ses.
sion.
The continued violation of the pro-
hibItion law has finally aroused the
Christian women of the various sec.
tions OF the state and resulted in their
organization This was true recently
at Walters, n tho southeastern part
Of the state, where the women Of the
town organized for a general cleaning
up. They did not announce what
course they would pursue except that
they were determined to have the lid
screwed down tight
When the women OF the city of Che
rokee, in alfalfa county, made up their
minds some time ago that there should
be no pool rooms OF billiard halls In
town they conducted daylight prayer
meetings In the rooms where such bus.
mess was carried on and succeeded In
clearing Cherokee Of all such con-
Germs. The women worked in relays.
relieving each other every few hours,
but at no time during the day permit
ting the places to be free of their
presence, Such meetings were con.
tInued during the early hours also,
and with such presisteney that the
men who were trying 70 build up a
trade In this line OF business finally
decided to quit.
Mrs, Carrie A. Nation was the OF.
ganizer OF I'D erusades ID this section
Of the country. Her example has been
followed frequently in Kansas and
Oklahoma towns where there have
been violations Of the state prohibl,
ton laws. It was her success In this
line that influenced other women. even
though they were not acquainted with
Mrs. Nation and perhaps had never
seen her to adopt her method Of
breaking up Illegal whisky and gamb.
ling joints.
Following the crusade conducted by
Mrs. Nation several years ago in
southern Kansas. she became a resi-
dent Of Oklahoma with Headquarters
in Guthrie. and for several years con.
Quoted weekly newspaper. the Hat.
ehet. which she circulated freely
throughout this aud adjoining states.
The paper had big support from the
Christian temperance women Of the
southwest and through It she welded
great influence over them. She en-.
thused them IN temperance work and
the results are now coming to the sur.
face In the organization OF the women
in towns 70 secure I'D Law enforce.
ment
The women of the state are also as.
sisting IN the organization Of civic
leagues. which is Governor Haskell's
Now plan to secure prohibition enforce.
ment Instead Of employing detectives
ana officers to make raids and secure
convictions, it is the governors nten.
ton to have civic leagues organized
in all portions OF the state Such
leagues must bear the responsibility
in securing evidence for conviction IN
bootlegging and lid violations.
The employees OF Governor Hasken
who are organizing such leagues
throughout the state. announce that
among the most enthusiastic workers
are the women generally members Of
the Women's Christian Temperance
union and other temperance organiza.
tons. In some Of the towns are found |
women who are almost adept IN Sc.
curing testimony against vIolators Of
the prohlbitory laws
The men who are working under
Governor Haskell also report that m
several communities. general opinion
Is against prohibition enforcement and
n some instances they find It almost
impossible to get favorable results.
During the past week statement
Tas made by Rev. B. !. Waugh, who
las been one OF the governors detee. /