The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-12-12
ILLINOIS MOMENTS CLUBS DE
CLARE FOR PROHIBITION

In a resolution which for forceful-
ness and conciseness could hardly
have been improved, the Federation
of Women's Clubs of the state OF IL
linois has given notice to the liquor
interests that its influence will be
used to outlaw the saloon in every
town and city of the land. Action on
the resolution took place on the morn
ing of November ii, at the end OF
four-day session at Evanston, Illinois.
The adoption was opposed by few
delegates who stated that they fear
ed il would seem to commit them to
the one political party which had de-
clared for prohibition of the liquor
traffic and would hinder and handi-
cap them in their legislative work.
Evidently the sentiment of the ma
iority of the women was expressed in
the words of a delegate who insisted
IF only one political party has seen
fit to declare its attitude upon this
question, it is time the women serv-
ed notice upon all the parties that If
they want the women's vote they had
better make their position plain.
believe this is a growing question.
and we must act"
Especially telling was the plea of
a delegate who said she spoke from
an experience of over twenty years
in social settlement work where she
had seen the devastating result of the
liquor traffic. How can go back
and face the women of my constituent
cy and tell. them this federation re-
fused to adopt the resolution" she
pleaded.
When the legislative superintetnd-
ent of the federation was asked to
give her opinion as, TO the effect of
the action upon the legislative work,
she said She did not doubt it would
arouse the liquor interests TO greater
efforts to deprive the women of suf-
frage rights and TO prevent their Sc
curing further privileges, but, she con-
cluded. IF we are going to dodge
this great moral issue, we are setting
very poor example, it seems to
me-
Aren't we as a federation working
for civic purity?" queried one eager
delegate. "And in our efforts to Sc
cure it, don't we find the liquor traf-
fic the source of all civic impurity?7
Il come from Peoria, the great
brewery district" explained the wo-
man, nevertheless l feel certain the
women / represent at this meeting
would expect me to vote for the res
olution"
Among the objections given was the
argument that the delegates to the
convention came unrestricted by
their constituents as to how TO vote
on this question. and one delegate re-
Piled: I'VE are not left in doubt as
to how the women of this state feel.
or wherever they have ben given the
opportunity they have registered at
the ballot box their opposition.
An effort to adopt an amendment.
to the original resolution, limiting it
to an expression of disapproval OF the
liquor traffic, was promptly voted
down. and the vote for the resolution
was so nearly unanimous that no eff
fort was made to count the nays
The following was the resolution:
Resolved, That the delegates of
the Illinois Federation OF Women's
Clubs in convention assembled place
themselves on record as oppressed to
the traffic in intoxicating beverages,
and urge their sisters of the state to
use every possible opportunity at the
ballot box to add Illinois to the list
of dry states"