The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1916-11-28
STATEWIDE OR NOT
is THE BIG ISSUE IN KENTUCKY
POLITICS FROM NOW ON
Question Coming To Vote Soon And
Leaders Who Have Been On
"Wet" End Are Up In Air


sole subject of discussion by the po
litical writers of the daily papers
nowadays. The action of the Louis
vile Times in demanding submission
as soon as possible has stirred up
hornets nest among the whisky ele-
ment, and especially among these
leaders of the democratic party who
have always taken the wet side in
politics. The Times claims to be actu-
ated in its suggestion solely by de-
sire to get this matter out of poll
tics. The Interior Journal and other
papers which have stood for temper
ance and statewide for years, have
urged all along that the liquor ques-
ton would be the biggest thing in ev-
cry political race until it was settled
finally by vote of the people, and the
Times at last seems to be coming
around to the view that the real tenn
perance papers out in the state, have
maintained for years.
Anyway the "big fellows" are STIR
red UP over the matter, and from now
on it's to be wet or dry fight, with
the vets seeking to obtain every ad-
vantage to prevent statewide from
carrying when it comes to vote
which is assuredly soon and certain.
The Louisville Post told Monday of
conference of prominent democrats
held in that city Saturday and Sun
day, as follows:
Two conferences were held in Lou
isville Saturday and Sunday for the
purpose of considering plans to check
the growth of the Statewide prohibit
ton movement in Kentucky and it is
understood that considerable differ
ence of opinion manifested itself at
the conferences.
The first meeting was held late
Saturday afternoon at the Seelbach
Hotel and was made up exclusively of
men engaged in the beer and whisky
business. Mr.. John Klaecker, brew
er of Newport, Mr.. Chas. M. Lewis,
of Washington, and Mr.. Lawrence
Reichert, of Louisville, were the most
prominent men at this conference, al
though others were present.
The second conference was held
Sunday morning at the Seelbach and
was made up of Democratic politicians
who have been allied with the liquor
interests in most of their fights. SEN
ator Ollie NJ. James and Governor A.
o. StGplcy were the leading partici-
pans IL this conference. Various Fed
eral office holders, who secured their
places upon recommendation of Mr..
James, were present, as were Judge
Chas Hardin, the chairman of the
Democratic Committee, and others of
the James-Stanley faction. The liquor
men remained about the hotel while
this second conference was in prog
ress and messages were passed back
and forth.
After the conference various of
the followers of Mr.. James and Mr..
Stanley, who were not admitted to
the meeting of the Senator and the
Governor and their friends, were tod
that no definite decision had been
reached in regard to policy for
fighting the Statewide movement. 1t
was given out that the suggestion
that the Governor request the legisla-
ture at the extra session in January
to submit a Statewide amendment
to be voted upon next November met
with much opposition. 1t was stated
that the leaders were informed that
the best legal advice obtainable was
that such an amendment cannot le-
gally be permitted at an extra session
and all that would be accomplished
would be to strengthen the movement
to submit the amendment at the next
regular session which is to take place
a year from January
Mr.. Klaecker, the brewer from
Newport, is much opposed to the
whole plan, and it is predicted that
Senator James and Governor STAN
ley will side with him.
The attitudes of both the political
parties were anxiously discussed at
both meetings. The Democratic lea
que for the submission of a State
wide amendment, of which DIR. A. ].
A Alexander, of Woodford county,
is President, was admitted to be
growing rapidly in strength. On the
other hand all the leaders present
stated frankly their belief that the re-
publican party in Kentucky is head
ed straight for the dry camp. That
the Republican members of the legis-
lature will be nearly solid for the SUBJ
mission of a Statewide amendment,
and that the bulk of the Republican
vote will be cast for the ratification
of that amendment when it is sub
mitted is the belief of Governor STAN
lev and all of his associates.