The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-07-21
WET AND DRY WAGNG WAR.
Fierce Battle OF Ballots for Against
BOOze In States of the Lone Star
and Pine Tree

Washington, July 2l.-In the far
Northeast and the extreme Southwest
Of Uncle Sans dominion, the "wets"
and "drys'' of the nation are now en-
gagged in two Of the most important
battles ever waged in this country
over the liquor question.
In Texas, which now has local op-
ton, the "drys" have fnaugurated
campaign for statewide prohibition
that will be voted on today. The cam
paign battle for and against has been
hard fought by both sides.
Dry sixty Years
In Maine. the pioneer prohibition
state which for sixty years has made
the manufactu and sale Of intoxi-
cants a crime. a campaign is now on
to abrogate the prohibit6ry amend
ment to the constitution and restore
the licensed saloon. The election to
decide the matter will be held Sep
tember H.
In both states the National Anti
Saloon League and other temperance
forces of the country at large have
supplied speakers, literature and mon
ey to the dry" forces and in both
states the national organizations of
liquor dealers. brewers and distillers
have assisted the "wets."
Texas Campaign Closes
In the Lone Star state the campaign
will be over today and nothing will be
left but the counting of the ballots
tomorrow, but in Maine the battle is
Just beginning in earnest. The "drys'
declare that the present campaign is
by means to be considered a state
issue solely, but that the defeat of
prohibition in Maine would be blow
TO the temperance movement through
out the United States and the world.
1t would be a confession, they say,
that after trial of more than half a
century. prohibition has been a fail
ure, and would effectually stop the
tide of prohibition that has swept over
the country during the last few years.
While the Texans are seeking TO
ia blish a condition similar to that
which has long prevailed in Maine,
the people of the latter state will vote
on a plan for inaugurating the local
option question now in vogue in Texas.
The program Of the Maine "wets' pro-
vides for strict license of saloons in
towns and cities which demand self
government, the open and legal sale of
intoxicants and a general adoption of
the local option plan whereby the
voters of each community may decide
the liquor question for themselves.
Temperance Women Busy
Mrs Lillian n. Stevens. president of
the National Temperance Woman's
Christian Temperance Union. IS one of
the leaders of the dry forces, and
mas an able co-laborer in George w.
Norton, editor of the Portland Express
and the Portland Advertiser influen-
tia1 journals owned by a son of Neal
Dow, the father of Names pfehibitory
law.
The Maine Non Partisan Local Self
Government League has been organiz-
ed to carry the local option cam
paign Tons of literature. in which it
| is alleged that the speak -easies" and
other places for the illegal sale Of
| liquor have made Maine a disgrace
| among states, have been circulated.
| Local option sentiments of President
Taft. Dr. Lyman Abbott Governor
Woodrow Wilson, former President
Eliot of Harvard, Cardinal Gibbons
and other famous men have been
printed and spread broadcast. While
| the league is non-p partisan, the men of
all parties have Joined in the propa
ganda. it is generally admitted that
it was the democratic victory in Maine
| last fall which made possible the re
submission of the prohibition amend
ment To that extent it is a democrat
| ic measure. and should the develop
ments of September II prove that the
majority of the people of Maine favor
a return to the saloon, it will to GER
| tain extent be democratic victory.