The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-11-30

ASSEMBLYMAN WILLIAM 7. EVJUE.
Picked to Lead the Battle for a "Dry"
wisconsin in 1919.
son, recently elected as a member of
the assembly from Dane county who
has announced his intention to demand
from the legislature a statewide ref
erendum on the liquor, problem for the
election Of 1918.
For some time the foes of liquor in
Kenosha have been aware that the
fight to put Wisconsin in the dry"
column was being arranged for and
after many conferences it was decided
that the Madison man should lead the
fight 1t is to be devoid of politics.
The Madison assemblyman is Repub-
lican, but he has been promised the
support Of both Democrats and Repub
Leans in the legislature in his effort to
get the question before the people.
The bill will provide for the submits
sion of the question for the abolish
ment of the liquor business in Wiscon-
sin to a vote of the people at the gen
eral election to be held in November,
1915 In the event of the ratification
of the bill by the people Of the state
it is proposed that the law shall go
into effect either in July, 1919, or Jam
uary |, 1920.
AT the coming session Of the legis-
lature / shall introduce a bill providing
that the question of statewide prohi-
bition be submitted to vote of the
people at the general election in No
vember, 1918," said Mr.. Evjue. "By
having this held at the general cleo
tion it can be conducted at little ex-
pense. Every state around Wisconsin
is making Roadway on this proposition
and if this state is going to continue
to be known as rogressive, it must not
lag behind such states as Michigan,
Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois, Michi-
gan has just gone dry by referendum
vote by majority of 10000. Iowa is
dry. It is very probable that the Min
Anesota legislature will take action this
winter which will make that state dry.
Even in Chicago, plans are being made
for a mammoth campaign. Most Of
Illinois, outside of the city of Chicago,
is already dry.
81 have chosen a referendum plan
as the most suitable one to introduce
at the coming session, because do not
see how any member of the legislature
can consistently oppose any plan that
would give the people of Wisconsin a
chance to settle this question for them
selves. Even those members of the
legislature inclined to be wet cannot
deny the citizens of Wisconsin a
chance to vote on the proposition
There are about 80 members of the
assembly who can be depended upon
to vote for dry legislation. A vote of
81 is required to carry the assembly.
While the present legislature is
wet there is going to be a good fight
ing chance to get a referendum meas
IRE through In view Of the sentiment
sweeping over the country at the pres
ent time members of the legislature
are going to think twice before voting
against this bill. They will not want
to make record that is going to
haunt them at some future time. There
will, of course, be members who will
want to duck" but we are at least
going to get a roll call. If the measure
is defeated, am inclined to think SEat
there will be number of political
obituaries emanating fron that roll
call
Mr. Evjue was elected from the
Madison disES2ct after q hard fight