Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1909 — BANNER WET COUNTY [ARTICLE]

BANNER WET COUNTY

Of Indiana Is Posey—Farmers Rout Anti-Saloon Forces, Mt. Vernon, Ind., May 7.—Posey is the banner "wet” county of Indiana up to date. It gave a majority of 1,449 today in favor of retaining licensed saloons. The result was almost a complete route of the antisaloon forces, who figured on carrying the county by 1,200. Mt. Vernon, county seat, gave a “wet” majdrity of 700. The surprising feature was the way the farmers voted. Practically all of the county was “dry” outside Mtf Vernon, which led Anti-Saloon Leaguers to predict an easy victory. The “wets” however, showed "great strength in the agricultural communities, carrying three townships and holding down the antisaloon vote everywhere. Th? defeat was the worst the Anti-Saloon League has sustained, and is regarded by brAvers as confirmation of their prediction that the pendulum is beginning to swing back toward liberal lines. There are 52 saloons in the county, which is the sixth to vote “wet.” State Superintendent Shumaker, of the Anti-Saloon League, spent the day at Mt. Vernon, but was unable to stem the tide.