Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1911 — WANT IT "WET" WHERE DRAINAGE IS NEEDED. [ARTICLE]

WANT IT "WET" WHERE DRAINAGE IS NEEDED.

Thera Is no particular surprise about the result in either .township, although there is much disappointment. Two years ago Wheatfleld went “wet” # by 17; that was at the county option election where the voters had a chance to make the entire county “dry.” There seems to be considei - able “going back’/sinee that time and naturally one would inquire into the reason. It is doubtless because saloons are to be reinstated at San Pierre; North Judson and Knox to the east, and because there is a saloon in Lake county just across the river north of Wheatfleld. Some of the voters thought that since it was so close at hand Wheatfleld might as well vote to have a saloon and the license therefrom. While this reasoning might appear logical to some, it would be better, we think, to keep the licensed saloon as far away as possible and not be influericed by our neighbors. Wheatfleld is a better town, no doubt, without saloons. Their influence is always bad and their effect destructive to the best conditions of any community, large or small. The Roselawn result was no surprise. There are some mighty good people in Lincoln township but they are in the minority. The influence of Hank Granger and Ben Fogli with the shiftless gang of river rats in the north end of the township would cause them to vote “wet” if it meant the establishment of hell in every hdme. The law provides one saloon for each 500 people and stays that the commissioners can “further” limit it to one for each thousand. The commissioners have done this in both Jasper and Newton counties. The word “further” will be the joker on which the supreme court will .probably decide that there can be one saloon wherever there are 500 people and that the limitation can not begin until after the one saloon is established. It does not provide the limitation of one to a thousand, but the “further” limitation after one saloon is established. A remonstrance is being circulated in .Union township against a saloon there. It is reported that Fish Gilmore, of Fair Oaks, will try to get a license and it is believed sufficient signatures can be procured to defeat his application In time for filing before the June meeting of the commissioners.