The Detroit times., 1910-03-29
Vets and Drys Push
Fight in 50 Counties

between the "wets" and "drys" for
control of SO counties in Michigan,
opened Monday, with both sides con-
fident after one OF the greatest cam
paigns for and against the saloon ever
waged in the state. The forces head
ed by George w. Morrow, Michigan
superintendent of the "drys," have ar.
rayed themselves against the "wets"
with bitter antithesis. The fight on
behalf of the saloon Is being made
under the direction Of Harry Rickel,
president of the Manufacturers and
Dealers association, and representa-
tives of the United States Brewers
association and the Liberal league.
The saloon advocates have fought
every argument of their opponents.
mastering all the resources that are
known to well-known debaters and
speakers
The hottest fights have been waged
in counties in which there are large
cities. OF these Grand Rapids, the
second largest city In the country
Worcester. Mass. is frsD ever to
vote on the liquor question, Is the
scene OF a bitter fight. Other cities
involved are Sault Ste. Marie, Adrian.
Lansing, Port Huron and Ludington.
In these cities the "wets" claim the
businessmen are strongly In their
favor. while the "drys" deny 1t.
Campaign Has Been Hot.
The campaign has been replete with
charges and counter-charges, the most
sensational of which were the pub
fishing of an alleged letter from Sup
erintendent Morrow to Detective
Brewer of Grand Rapids, asking him
to colonize the voters in Jackson at
the previous local option election.
Morrow was investigated and eXoner-
ated by the Leagues national officers.
The saloon interests declare, how
ever, the charges have had their eff
feet.
J. f. Bartlett. one of the dry
leaders In Jackson county, has re-
turned to Jackson. He may appear
az witness at the trial Of Attorney
Richard S. Woodliff. who is charged
with the larceny of important testi-
mony from Justice Russell's court
Bartlett has been away from the
city for nearly a week, but denies
that he left in order to dodge sub
pena. He states that Woodliff secur-
ed the testimony through his (Bart-
lett's) instructions; that he wanted 4
copy Of II TO protect himself In case
charge of colonization was brought
against him. He ridicules the idea
that woodliff will ever be convicted
and declares that Rev. George w.
Morrow had absolutely nothing to do
with the local option campaign In
Jackson.
DR.. J. d. Huizinga, dry leader OF
Grand Rapids, says he has conclusive
evidence that fullyo3.O00 men were
taken into Kent county TO vote in the
recent primaries. Five thousand new
voters were registered then and the
"drys" say all voters who appear on
April 4 will be put through the third
degree"
The residents of the counties In
which the battle is raging have been
electrified by the large number of
meetings held by both the "drys" and
the VETS" The anti-saloonists occu-
pied pulpits in various places Sunday
during which they endeavored 10
clinch the arguments they have made
for abolishing the saloons. while the
"wets" were equally active.
10 Counties To Vote Again.
Twenty-Five Michigan counties will
vote on local option on Monday. April
4; ten counties. which are now dry,
will vote again and Montmorency
county Is expected to decide the
saloon question. making a total of 35
counties which will decide IL the
saloon shall be licensed or If 1t shall
be outlawed.
The "drys" still maintain that they
will retain control of the districts in
which the question has been resub-
mitted. and that they will also win
In twenty of the other counties. The
"wets" answer that they are sure OF
winning a large number of the coun-
ties. The result of the election, there
fore, is awaited with great interest.