The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-05-05

listens to the siren voice of boss,
ward gang, or graft The Winnie
mucca election proves it.
Most Nevada editors stand for law
enforcement, be it said to their credit.
They have shown this by utterances
in their papers, even though in some
cases those utterances were not very
strong and sounded tentative, or per-
haps grand-stand plays. A few have
come out flat-footed and announced
themselves as against booze and the
element dispensing booze. A crying
disgrace are certain editors who took
their stand for prohibition before 1t
was voted upon, but now entirely
overlook direct and fragrant violation
of the law and permit elected officers
to remain in power who not only
countenance but encourage and advo-
cate violation of the provisions of the
constitution of the United States-the
most sacred document in existence
except the bible-and that means only
one thing-treason to their country.
| But it remained for Winnemucoa
and The Silver State to gain a posi-
tive expression of how people like 1t
after a trial of two years. The an
swer is positively that they not only
like it, but want more of it. They
seem to feel that If the law Is not
satisfactory honorable means should
be found to change it. They are prac-
tically unanimous in declaring the sa-
loon will never again be tolerated,
come what may. Winnemucca has
been an average city in respect to
the booze question-no better and no
worse than some others. 1t will prob
ably continue in the same way as
other cities. except effort will be made
to arrest law violators by local au-
thorities.
The election here was fought out
and won on the one issue of law en-
forcement. The victory means more
than appears by the mere figures,
however, because every trick known
to the old ward politician was used
here. Those favoring a wide-open
city used all the political arts known,
from lining up the base elements to
getting out the vote on election day.
Every effort was made to becloud the
issue. One faction was told that 1t
was fight against them and another
faction was told otherwise. The soft
side of every man was approached
and for each man there was a differ
ent story. Political workers" were
everywhere and new phases of the
campaign developed hourly. On the
liberal" side was apparently superb
organization, with plenty Of more
than willing workers-willing to do
anything or say anything to win their
point. Election day automobiles of
the liberals were to be seen every
where and for the reason that it is
against the Law to get out the vote"
in this manner it will not be said they
were out for that purpose. Anyhow,
watchers were convinced the lib
eral" vote had been cast early in the
day. Every person possible was voted,
even to people residing out of the city
limits.
On the other hand, what did the
law enforcement advocates have with
which to win an election? Merely
record of officials who had stood for
right and had dared to take licenses
away from lawbreakers, and had
dared to appoint peace officers, in face
of strong opposition, who said they
would enforce law. There was no or
ganization work, no automobiles, and
actual details of informing people on
| phases of the election fell on the
shoulders of one mantle editor of
this newspaper. He was of course
assisted by a number of people who
felt the urge of right sufficiently to
get in and work, but their efforts
were entirely individual. The con-
sequence was that large number of
voters who would have voted on the
side of right stayed at home.
That the issue was clear cut is
proven by the vote in the first ward.
While it is not desired to accuse OPP
position candidates for standing for
bad ideals, 1t is a fact that they never
have stated any>s9 Of position and
in consequence conclusions must be
drawn from the source of their sup
port. In the first ward, the "Barba ~
Coast" of Winnemucca, wherein Is
located the restricted district and
wherein large percentage of the
generously called FOUNDERS" reside,
Mayor Brandon. the man standing for
right, received less than half the