The Western news. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1890-1977, 1910-12-06

j AltuouSn CalleQ upon IN two issues
of The Western News to make a pub
lie denial of the charge that he signed
the pledge of the Ravalli county saloon
men in the recent campaign, Senator
elect H. G. Croft has steadfastly re-
fused to do so. Space in two of the
county papers has been offered to him
for the purpose of explanation or de-
nial, and his refusal to use it is daily
costing him hosts of supporters.
The nearest to public denial that
Mr.. Croft came during the campaign
was his statement to committee of
the Independent league that he did
not attach his name to the saloon
agreement, but, on the contrary, mere
ly told them he would do nothing de-
trimental to the saloon interests. Eff
forts were made before and after this
to have him take public platform and
state whether or not he signed the |
pledge, but Mr.. Croft lodged.
What the Pledge Was,
The pledge presented to the legisla-
tive candidates by members of the
liquor dealers organization was most
sweeping and arrogant in it's demands.
By signing it, the candidate became
virtually representative of the sa-
looms, with no option but to register
their will on all moral questions.
In letter issued during the cam
paign by the Independent League of
Ravalli County, it was stated that the
saloon agreement bound the candi-
date signing it to the following condi-
tions:
THAT the candidate, if elected,
would favor law which would strike
out from school text books any refer
ence to alcohol and its effect on the
human body.
THAT he would oppose any law lin
iting the location of saloons.
THAT he would oppose any law to
enforce Sunday closing of saloons, and
would oppose state wide prohibition,
woman suffrage, or any like legisla-
ton"
The Leagues Dilemma.
On the question of electing a state
senator, the letter ran:
"It has been rumored that both can
didates for state senator signed this
pledge. Mr.. Croft stated to the COM
mittee that he did not sign it, but that
he told the saloon men who approach
ed him that he would be fair to them
and would do nothing which would
put them out of business Mr.. Plum
mer, when asked by the committee for
a statement, did not deny having
signed the pledge. We find saloon
men supporting both these candidates,
which seems to indicate that as a
body they have no preference And
While we feel that we would not be
justified in indorsing either of these
men, we would, with emphasis, direct
to the attempted debauchery
of our cherished institutions by the
saloon power"
On the eve of the election, however,
the saloons developed a decided choice
for senator, their entire vote, with one
going to Mr.. Croft, al
though Mr. Plummer admitted that
he signed their agreement.
Pledged Against Saloons.
If Mr.. Croft signed the saloon mems
pledge, as seems probable in the alb
sence of satisfactory denial by him,
nc is committed to two policies diamet-
really opposed, for he pledged him /
policies, for he pledged HIM
self to w. c. Harlan, secretary of the S
Independent league, in the presence of /
others, to favor measures inimical to I
The saloon business.
He said he would support an eff J
fective local option law and also a {
law providing for statewide Sunday I
closing" said Mr. Harlan to Western