Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-12-24
CITIZENS COMMITTEE CHECK
OFF 500 NAMES AT COURT
HOUSE LAST NIGHT WHILE SA-
LOON MEN ARE OFF DUTY.
PETITION CANVA SSED
AFTER SUPPER HOUR
LIQUOR MEN RESIST ACTION AND
THE NAMES ARE AGAIN BEING
GONE THROUGH AT THE sEs-
SION TODAY.


that is being made Jointly by the Citl-
zens' committee and the representa-
tiyes Of the saloon men in the board
room at the court house was given
real tilt this morning. Until this morn
ing the surface conditions, beyond a
slight turbulence now and then, ap-
peared to run smoothly and no out
burst Of moment occurred. True
there was a keen watch kept
by each. element as to the
others actions and while apparently
serene, the condition was a tense one
and a break was easily possible II
some one would only start something.
The something was started this
morning when the two canyassing par
ties gathered at the court house and
the vets found that the drys had
pulled one over. The thing that raised
the fuss, and there was small one
mostly words but with prospect OF
more to follow was caused by the
citizens committee obtaining; leave OF
Auditor G.. w. McCarty shortly after 8
O'Clock last evening to work on. the
names after supper. The petition sup
porters were unaware OF the request,
1t having been made after the two
boards of canvassers gave up work
earlier iii the evening, and when they
were apprised OF the matter this morn
ing they were in no gentle frame OF
mind
Check 600 Names.
Gathering at the supervisors room
shortly after o'clock last night the
citizens committee Immediately got
busy and the way the workers went
through the list of names ION the petit
tion was not slow. When giving up the
task about 8 O'Clock, there were some
800 names listed that the petition sup
porters had not checked.
Go Over Names Again.
So interesting did the fun become
during the opening Of this mornings
session that considerable language
was swapped between both sides and
the question of privilege and right Of
some Of those engaged in the work
to take such active part was raised.
The right OF Attorney r. R. Mitchell
to assist the petition committee was
challenged by Attorney Chester w.
Whitmore of the citizens committee
After some time the condition of Sc
renity obtained on the surface, but the
names copied by the citizens commit
tee were again gone over under pro-
test.
Seek Some Redress.
When seen regarding the incident
Of the morning the citizens committee
beyond verifying the story Of copying
the names last night. would rot vouch-
safe anything regarding the plan Of re-
dress. The action will be resisted, how
ever, and developments that may fur
nish interesting reading are looked for
in the next few days, as the claim Of
the work being retarded is generally
made by the citizens committee.
About 675 names had been checked
Jointly when both sides quit yesterday
afternoon. Neither side attaches any
blame for last nights incident to Aud.
itor C. W. McCarty, who states that he
| is a public servant and is subject to
the call Of either side in official mat
ters. The workers have passed the s25
mark thus far in their task.
4 Sending Out Letters.
The following is copy Of the let
ter being sent to signers OF the saloon
petition by the citizens movement:
''The saloon consent petition has
I been filed with the county auditor and
the citizens canvassing committee fed
your name as one who has signed the
petition for saloons. If you have not
signed this saloon consent petition
please notify us by the enclosed re-
| turn card at once. If you have signed
lit and wish to withdraw your name,
please notify us by the enclosed card
at once. Yours truly,
I ''T. P. Spilman,
| "Chairman Canyassing COMMITTEE"