The Alaska daily empire., 1915-05-08
JUDGE JENNINGS
 INFORMS SALOON
 MEN ON VOTE

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 KETcHIKAN, May 6.-Judge Robt- ". Jennings. Of the United States dis trict court called the saloon men of Ketchilsan together notified them that a local option election would be held in the city May 24, and explained the intent scope and manner of the election in similar manner as he re. gently instructed the saloon men of Juneau and Douglas. Tho saloon men here are very well satisfied with the situation, and no complaints have been made as to unfairness.
 court's instructions.
 The courts instructions were as fol- lows;
 The time is approaching when Ii. censes for the sale of intoxicating li. Quors for the year beginning July l. 19l5, and ending July 1, 1916, will elth- CT be granted or refused. and have asked you to be present in court this morning in order that | might explain the course which is to be pursued this year
 The law provides that no license for che sale of intoxicating liquor shall be granted unless ir is made to appear to Che satisfaction of the Court that majority of the white male and fe- male (tulD citizens. over the age of 2l years, residing at the place where uouor Is to be sold or within two miles thereof have in good faith, consented ,o such sale Residence for any length of time is sufficient The law also provides that the burden is upon the applicant for license Go show Go the satisfaction of the Court that majority of said people have con sented This means nothing less than that the persons desiring licenses must at their own expense. show to the Court the necessary facts.
 Last year the method pursued was as follows; Persons were appointed to take census, and at the time of talk ing the names. the persons enumerat- ed were then and there asked whether or not they consented. and The fact Of their consent or non-consent was not ed in the enumerator's book. As the look showed that a majority as re- quircd by law hnd consented. licenses were issued.
 The claim. however, has been made to the Court by many persons in com both oral and written, that the method pursued last year does not afford a true test. because, as l was alleged. many persons were in- duced by business and other consid- ! erations to say that they were in fa- vor Of the sale of liquor, when. in truth and in fact. they were opposed : 10 such sale The representation has been made also that many persons ! have said, according to the book, that they were oposed to Inc sale of liquor when, in truth and in fact they were not SO opposed but had been induced . by social family or other considers tons to say that they were opposed.
 Strong statements have been made < that if some way could be adopted by which a citizen would have an op.. to express his real prefer enco in the matter without it being a ! matter of publicity none who were | really for dry would be counted as for wet; and none who were really for wet would be counted as for dry" and the Court has been asked ! to adopt some method by which those who desired could give expression to their real wishes without publicity 1 The Court thinks such request is req sonable and proper. especially in view of the provision of the statutes that the ! consent must be in good faith, for no one could question the good faith oi a . secret expression of desire
 CENSUS.
 But how is the Court to ascertain what is the real wish that is- inc good faith wish of a majority Of the | persons?
 The Court cannot know what is a | majority of the whole number of per sons unless 1t knows what is the whole [ number under consideration, and ini order to ascertain what is the whole number of qualified persons the Court will today appoint two enumerators i to take a census of all such persons. !
 For that purpose the enumerators shah provide themselves with book, or books, properly iudexed. in which shall be entered Alphabetically the information desired. This census will ! be completed at the earliest possible moment. and when completed the cen. sus book is to be deposited with the U. s. Commissioner at Ketehikan and
 (Contnucd on page B.