Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1908 — COUNTY UNIT WINS. [ARTICLE]

COUNTY UNIT WINS.

F6r years the liquor laws in Tennessee have practically barred the open saloon from the villages and small towns. It is one of the facts that add to the significance of the recent Democratic primary in that state, wherein Edward Carmack, the brilliant ex-sen-ator from the state, was defeated for return to his former place, by Governor Patterson. Carmack openly said he was for state-wide prohibition. That was his single-plank platform. Patterson stood for oounty local option Mid won. The people of Tennessee, Whileadmiring the Carmack poeltion, realized the more practical policy. The county unit is popular everywhere and in its advocacy the Republican party of Indiana has a winning liquorselling regulation prescription' this Fear.

* The movement among brewers to establish “model saloons” and the spasmodic spell to be good by saloons do not Justify the statement Ot Ldeber, the big brewer, that the temperance wave is at its crest and will now recede. On the contrary they prove that the saloons and “interests” are alarmed, see the handwriting on the wall and are taking to cover. The great Bioral wave will not recede until the law-defiers and corrupters of our politics surrender to law, order and decency. The people, are tired of the evil domination. They care not so 9|[foh for individual drinking and do pot intend to interfere with the individual liberty of any man unnecessarily. But When a crowß of evilWdrkers band themselves together and endroach upon the rights and privileges of the people, then the people will rise up in their righteous indignation and wipe out the gang. ■■• J.. ; • ... - • e * _ • The brewers and saloons have forced the temperance issue to the front and It will be the “paramountissue" in Indiana this year. Ordlnar-; ily it is not a party qaestion, but is aj moral and economic question that-, should be settled outside of political parties. But the brewers having becotpe the managers and mouthpiece of the Democratic organization and the 8“ iloons lining up with the brewers, the epufclicans should lose no time In accepting the issue and in getting ready 1 tat the battle royal that is coming. James Watson, Republican nominee fbr governor, does not dodge the issue but stands firmly for advanced temperance legislation. Tom Marshall, who owes hiß nomination to Tom Taggart anti the crowd of brewers, is silent on toe question. The Issue Is plain and clearly drawn. Where will honest temperance people stand ? And what will they do to help a righteous cause?

Supporters of Bryan long ago reached the idolatrous stage. Now they are crying aloud from the housetops that he is a new man eager and anxious to remake his party, drowning its discords in harmony. Whether or no the Bryanolaters speak truth, it will be really interesting to watch the process by which the prime discord maker in that party hopes to harmonize it It is already instructive as well as Inter-, esting to note that ail the members of the Democratic orchestra must take the beat from Bryan or put their Instruments away. Governor Johnson is hat+ed from the concert, And there fire others. All classes of men will be pleased with the Republican national platform as a whole. It is a courageous pre-’ sentment of party policies. The principle of equal rights and opportunity for all Is dominant In it. Business interests and labor are recognized as both needing protection and eneouragement. When the anti-injnnction plank is read carefully it is seen to be good in preserving the just law while seeking to prevent the summary issue of Injunctions without proper consideration. see Crawford Fairbanks, as prominent in Democratic leadership as in beer-mak-ing in Indiana, has taken to political prophecy. He actually says, somewhat enigmatically, that he Is “perfect ly confident that Tom Marshall will carry the state,” but he adds, “I ism not so sanguine as to Bryan’s chances In Indiana.”