The Detroit times., 1910-03-31

Lansing IL Sttudlcus Nhllc ~ N'"''
county. including Port Huron, Is a
disputed section.
I'VE find that the campaign has
been conducted in much less bitter
manner than usual" said Philip Grau,
in charge of the vets speakers
bureau. The attempts 20, interrupt
and break mp our meetings have been
few We, have adopted the position
that there are two sides 20 this ques.
ton and that we want only fair
hearing. We do not consider that a
man is crazy because he does not
agree with us, he may have suffered
from the liquor business. We are
offering fair and what We think are
satisfactory arguments and we are
getting a better hearing than We ex'
pected'
Announcement Is made that up
wards OF So Pontiac women have
formed an organization known as the
Women's Home Defenders League,
They are ont working in opposition 10
local option and are in favor OF the
return OF the saloons 10 Pontiac. Mrs.
Leontine b. Harnisch. OF 81 Auburn
ave, is president and Mrs. b A. Fer
ris OF east Pike-st. Pontiac, is secre-
tary.
The following declaration of princi-
pies has been adopted by the league:
"We the members OF the Womens
Home Defenders League. represent.
ing the mothers, wives and daughters
Of Pontiac, hereby declare our opposi-
ton against the present iutolerable
conditions in our city. Inasmuch as
these conditions did not prevail be-
fore the Inauguration OF local option
prohibition. and believing that they
are the direct result OF prohibition,
we declare IL the concensus OF opin-
ion of this organization, that Pontiac
would be a better city morally IL a
few properly regulated saloons were
permitted to do business.
Say Liquor Is Brought In.
knowing full we'll that this action
may subject us 10 contumely and
scorn, and knowing further that our
motives may be questioned, we have
not acted lightly or hastily. We feel
that our course should meet with the
approval of all right thinking people,
but In any event we rest secure In the
approval OF our own hearts and con.
sciences for the reasons which follow:
From our own knowledge we know
OF men who were never known TO be-
come intoxicated. before the adoption
OF prohibition, who now frequently be-
come so. We know OF men who sell
dom before left their homes, who now
60 to Detroit on the slightest possible
pretexts, and bring liquor back with
them. We know of homes into which
liquor never entered until after the
adoption OF prohibition. We know OF
men who never before spent a night
away from home, who have been abb
sent for days at a time. We know OF
men who formerly were light beer
drinkers who are now habitual whis-
key drinkers.
I'VE feel that liquor in the home IL
a temptation TO children, harder a
hundred times 10 overcome. than the
open saloon. We know OF homes that
are threatened with ruin IL something
is not done TO change present condi-
tons. In view of these painful facts,
aud inasmuch as this state OF affairs
has come about In the last two years,
We feel that the closing OF the saloons
in this county Is the cause. While We
have no defense TO offer for the
saloon or the liquor business or those
engaged In IL. We have learned by ex-
perience that the prohibition OF the
sale OF liquor in one section of the
state, when IL is allowed in another.
SO easy of access. that local option
prohibition is a failure so far as les
SEEMING the consumption OF liquor, or
decreasing intoxication are concern
cd"
Curiosity OF scores of people on the
streets was aroused in Adrian by the
ringing Of the church oells, Tuesday
Everybody inquired OF everybody
else what It was about, but no ex-
plantations were forthcoming. Several
travelling men at the Maumee hotel
even ventured the opinion that fire
had broken out
The ringing OF the bells, however, is
only a reminder 10 Adrian voters OF
next Mondays election and a plea Cor
the local option cause.
The bells Will continue to rins
throughout the week and on Monday
while the balloting is in progress
throughout the county.
AmOuB tue CuuTCu supporters VI
the local option cause. the ringing o.
the bells is call to prayer for the enc
Of Lenawee county saloons.
The bell ringing plan originated
With the pastors of Adrian last Sat
urday and the announcement OF the
purpose OF the plan was made fror
me Anti.Saloon headquarters.
Besides the bell ringing there are tc
be other innovations during the last
part OF the week by the anti-saloonists
and they plan ~ wind up the cam
caign with a great deal OF enthusiasm
Arrangements are now In the pro
cess Of making for the latter part OF
the week and President Carr said that
he will have all arrangements foT
speakers made soon, when he will an
nounce those who are going TO address
Adrian audiences.
A unique and interesting feature oil
the present campaign will be the
great local option parade in Adrian
next Saturday a. =. n.
IL I'D