Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1909-10-28

LIQUOR MEN
FOR LEGISLATION.


pear to be more active than local op-
tionists in the present campaign for
the election of Senators and Assembly
men, Heretofore the hotel and saloon
men of the state have used only defen-
sive tactics in their bouts with the
Anti-Saloon League and allied organi-
cations that are making war on this
industry. They have had their agents
in the State Capitol during the legisla-
tion but only to take the sting out of
that which their foes have aimed at
them, and they have taken whatever
situation was thus made for them,
with thanks that it was no worse. :"
Since the recent annual convention
OF the State Liquor Dealers Associa-
tion it has been learned that the BODY
decided to abandon the policy of de-
fense and enter upon an aggressive
offensive campaign against its enemies.
1t will endeavor to induce the Legis-
lature, in its annual session, to pass
two acts, one compelling every COM
munity that closes out the saloons that
may be serving it, by local option
votes, to recompense the owners of the
properties.
The second would require each mu
nicipal unit in the State to provide it
self with one licensed bar or the ac-
commodation of its drinkers.
The proposed act requiring each 10.
cality to maintain licensed bar, is
based on the theory that New Jersey S
excise policy is to license the drinking
places; and that as there are drinkers
in every municipality, every munich
pality should maintain a bar for
their entertainment. II they have no
public bar, it is held, they drink in
secret places that are not countenanced
BY the State law and that are in direct
violation of the State law.
There are many dry spots in South
Jersey, one county alone, Cumberland,
which includes the cities of Bridgeton,
Millville and VineIand, where no liquor
is legally sold having but four licensed
bars all in rural districts. Testimony
before the State Excise Commission
showed that there were illegal sales in
clubs and drug stores in this and other
counties.
1t was argued at the meeting of the
State liquor dealers that if there were
no drinking men in community that
it had no need of license but that
in dry places where there are
drinkers they should be forced to COM
ply with the States policy of making
them do all their drinking at licensed
bars.
This change in the method of cam
paign on the part of the liquor men
has created commotion among the
local optionlsts, the prohibitionists and
the supporters of the Anti-Saloon
League, and given new turn to the
legislative canvass that is now going
on in the State.
The Anti Saloon League managers
are making ready to question each
candidate for the State Senate OF
Assembly as to his attitude concerning
the two proposed bills, and the LIQUOR
issue will be dominant one in several
OF the counties in which it has already
figured less conspicuously.
In Sussex county local optionists
are making hard fight to defeat
Senator Price, Democrat, for his vote
against the Plummer bill last winter.
Senator Gebhardt, of Hunterdon,
the only Democrat who voted for local
option, won denomination as an adj
vocate of that principle His Re-
publican opponent. Doctor Hawke, of
Lambertville, has also declared for
local option, and the fight between
the two candidates is bitter.
Local opionists would welcome the
defeat of Senator Hichcliffe, of
Passaic. Democrat, and millionaire
brewrer. His Republican opponent,
Speaker Prince. OF the House, shares
Hinchliffe's liberal views on the ex-
else question, but he would be less
strenuous than the present Senator in
protecting the liquor interests, if be
were elected to the upper branch of
the Legislature. The contest between
these men is close, and the outcome is
awaited with interest
- Salem county has local option fight.
Samuel A, Ridgway, former Assembly
man. the Republican nominee for that
office, seeks election ON platform of
hon rule on the liquor question. His
Democratic opponent, John D. Schade,
present member, is unpledged.