The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1911-12-28
BREWERS FAVORABLE TO IDEA
Governor McGovern Shows that Some
thing Is Being Done Along This Line
in Speech Delivered in Milwaukee
Wisconsin Sought as First State.

IGpIGSGuJeu III Inc Dr6WlnS lhuuooA y3
are undoubtedly preparing to press
very strongly before the next legisla-
ture bill which they have now Tor
two sessions advocated for the ctea-
ton of state commission for the con-
troll of the liquor traffic is bringing
this question to the fore again. The
arguments now being used by the
brewers representatives in favor OF
The creation Of the commission are the
arguments of centralized form of
government, and they bring the fact
closely to mind that in the last ten
years the original feIeralists ideas of
this country are taking firm root and
that more and more are the people of
this country coming to look upon a firm
centralized form of government with
less fear than did their illustrious fore
fathers who founded the nation.
All over this nation is the idea be-
coming prevalent. A stronger govern
ment demand is without doubt en-
bodied in the commission idea, while
the short ballot is but another form
of the demand for more centralized
government.
Very frank recognition Of this fact
was given by Gov. Francis T.. McGov-
ern in the address with which he open
ed the progressive dinner held ut Mil
wauCee the other night. While with
no thought of in any way discussing
the question Of an excise commission
or of in any wal using, the arguments
which the brewers advance in favor of
an excise commission, Gov. McGovern
used the very statements which the
brewers are now using in favor of
such 81 commission in their claim that
only through strong central commits
sion can absolute control be given over
the liquor traffic and remedy found
which will really give an adequate
supervision of the saloon business. 1t
is the claim of the brewers that only
the strong arm of the state is adequate
to deal with the question and that To-
cal powers cannot handle the question
1t is their statement that municipal
powers cannot but be influenced by the
individual situation, while a. state COM
mission will handle the subject with
Hairless to all.
Gov. McGovern s plea was for the
general good of the community in a
strong centralized government. 1t was
his idea that when our forefathers de-
vised this government and purposely
diversified instead of centralizing the
power they were looking to what then
to them offered protection to the Ii
berty of the individual According to
Gov. McGovern, it was not within
their power to then foresee that this
diversified government would later
give opportunity for the strong to op-
press the weak and that the time
would come when central government
with strong centralized powers would
be necessary for the protection of the
weaker members of society against
the Entertainments of the strong.
1t is the claim of the brewers that
iquor will remain power in politics
just so long as it is attempted TO con-
troll the liquor traffic through munich
pal officers for the reason it is claimed
that the municipal officers cannot but
appreciate the political power of the
aloon-keeper in the municipal unit and
will be influenced by that power. It
IS said that a state commission would
be removed from this influence because
so far removed from the local power
of the saloon-keeper that it would
have no influence on him.
In bringing up the commission idea
again the brewers are prepared to go
much longer way in. placing the sa-
looms under the control Of commits
sion than they were in the bills on
the subject that have already been be-
fore the Legislature. The commission
that they propose to create now will
have absolute power over the LIQUOR
traffic in The state. Before any
saloon-keeper is given license he
must apply to the commission for the
License and the right will be with the
commission to grant or refuse the petit
ton as 1T may see fit. More than this,
the power of revocation is to be alb
Solute with the commission without
any appeal from its order, and it is to
be within its power not only to say
that it will decline to grant license
but to brand an applicant or a saloon
keeper having his license revoked as
unfit to hold license anywhere in
the state. More than this, the COM
mission is to have the power to say
how many saloons shall be licensed in
any municipal unit and where the sa-
looms shall be located. Certain re-
strictions only are to be placed ON the
commission, such as making it abso-
lutely necessary to revoke The license