Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 July 1908 — WINNER EASILY PICKED. [ARTICLE]

WINNER EASILY PICKED.

Democratic leaders in Indiana are not oblivious of the widespread public sentiment in favor of curbing and controlling the liquor traffic. Their friends the brewers and distillers are also “wise” to it. Indiana brewer and Democratic leader are too often synonymous terms, different nameß for the same man. Fear of arraying the popular sentiment solidly against the parly .and its candidate in November prompted the insertion of a township and city ward local option plank in the Democratic platform. For the first time in half a century Old Sumptuary, 3:40, was left in the stable and the little Local Option Junior, unmarked by owner as yet, was trotted into the paddock as Democracy's entry for the legislature stakes. The colt was welcomed by many good Democrats who hated to think of scratching their ticket. Brewery backers in their hearts are leery of the youngster, though Stephen B. Fleming said it will make as good a running as any of the breed if they had to recognize the strain. They would rather have had something out of City Block or Township Section, but had to give way to the calf for the bigger get of Township and City Ward. The course is too long for the oolt, which will be distanced by the lively County Local Option entered by the Republicans. • • • Over in Hllinols the brewers are showing how easy it is to nullify the people’s will under the township unit looal option law. And Crawford Fair banks, head of the Terre Haute Brewing company, and active collegiate leader of the Democratic party in Indi ana, is the exponent of the trick. Westvllle, the mining town near Danville, 111., went “dry" two monthß ago and the Fairbanks company has just been licensed and has opened up saloons to sell liquor again on “Hell’s Half Acre,” the strip of the little municipality that is In Danville township, which went “wet." • • • Albert Lieber, the Indianapolis brew-er-politician. told the National Association of Brewers in Milwaukee that he thinks Indiana people are tiring of Che Anti-Saloon League and a reaction against temparanee legislation is near. The wish Is father to that thought, Albert, rod the ebild is slokly and oaa’t lira.