tHe bAiiiT ooos nAY times, mabshpibld, orbcow, Thursday, may ao.
I
I
THE GOMfffc ELECTION
The Following Article from Coquille Business
Men Is Submitted to the Times
For Publication
In the last issue of the Coquille
Herald there was printed a com
munication from H. M. Branham,
wherin the writer makes a personalt
attack upon every man who signed
the petition for the election to be
held on the 3rd of June next. The
undersigned wish to protest against
the wholesale slander contained and
implied in that article and to point
out some of the misstatements con
tained therein. The loci option law
says:
"If petitioned therefor the first
election shall be held on the first
Tuesday after the first Monday in
November In 1924, and thereafter
only on the first Monday in June
of any year." "If any election shall
have resulted in a majority vote for
prohibition In any county as a whole,
no election shall be had in said coun
ty on said question before the first
Monday in June in the second cal
ender year thereafter." "If at any
time an election hereunder shall re
sult in prohibition for any subdivi
sion of county as a whole, or any pre
cinct of said county, no election here
under shall be held within said pro
hibition territory, except an election
for the entire county, before th4e first
Monday In June of the second cal
endar year following." "When such
second election results against pro
hibition, the court shall enter an
order setting aside the previous order
enforcing prohibition."
This languge is not modified or
controlled, in any way, by any other
part of the local option act. It is so
plain thnt it would seem no discus
sion Is needed upon this point. The
local option law dos not fix any
period within which "dry" precinct
shall remain dry. It simply provides
when an election may be held; and
when nn election is held, every part
of the county is controlled by that
election. If Coquille precinct votes
"dry" it goes dry. If It votes "wet"
and the county votes wet, then
Coquille goes wet. Mr. Branham
thlnkks that Coquille will remain
"dry" notwithstanding the result of
the election. But it is not so. Co
quille prcinct, like any other precinct
in the county, will be "wet" or "dry"
according to the vote on the 3rd of
June next. The Supreme Court in
the decision In the Baxter case a few
weeks ago said West Coquille pre
cinct must remain dry until' a vote of
the people set aside prohibition, and
that such a vote must be at an elec
tion held for the whole county, if
held before two years. In other
words, the last vote controls, and a
vote can be had every year unless the
I county as a whole votes "dry," and
then a vote cannot be had until the
second year thereafter. But this
county did not vote "dry," so an
election can be held this year.
Ther is no possibility for mistake
about it. The people, by their votes,
govern, nd every time there is an
election the whole question Is de
cided over again. All lawyers agree
as to these facts. Mr. Amos, who
says "That any precinct that went
'dry' in your county a year ago must
remain dry for two years, in spite of
any action on the part of the county,"
has not read the local option law, or
he cannot understand the English
language, or he deliberately states
what he knows to be untrue. Rev.
Branham says this election was called
by the saloon element, but "the devil
has overshot his mark." He also in
sinuates that the signers of the petU
tion for an election are aiders and
abettors at all kinds of crime. This
is certainly very unkind in Mr. Bran
ham, as he should remember this is
a free country and that the citizens
of a town, like the citizens of a State,
are entitled to their views as to its
governmental policy.
Now we claim to be the true tem
perauce people. Wo believe in. work
for and practico that which is for
the best Interests of temperance in
all things. We believe that the best
way to manage the drink fivil is to
place the dispensers of liquor under
strict regulations. Considering that
our town lies between two towns
where saloons are licensed and where
liquor can be had at all times in all
quantities, we believe in licensed sa
loons rather than unlicensed saloons.
We claim that prohibition has caused
nlbre drinking among boys in Co
qnllle than was ever known when
saloons were licensed. We charge
that prohibition engenders contempt
for law. That it tends to make law
breakers and sneaks. That under
prohibition taxation Is Increased and
trade diverted to other locations.
In short, we claim that partial pro
hibition in a county and bo far as our
town is cuncerned does no good nml
much harm. We further claim that
this is a free country, and notwith
standing what Mr. Branham has said,
we have the right to maintain our
views as regards this local situation.
We stand for a square deal. We are
willing that the majority shall rule.
Our town hiB ben Injured, taxa
tion doubled and the town treasury
emptied by prohibition; but if the
people of Coquille want these condi
tions to continue, we are willing to
submit. City taxes have been
doubled in Coquille since prohibition
went into effect.
The levy chls year Is 10 mills as
against 5 mills in Bandon and 4 mills
In Marshfleld.
The records of the recorder's otflce
show that the number of arrests have
greatly increased in Coquille Since
the saloons were closed. The num
ber of fines Imposed in the record
er's court during 190G was 15, while
in the first five months of 1907, when
saloons were closed, the number of
fines imposed was thirteen.
The records of the Circuit Court
show that the expenses of the court
and grand Jury while Investigating
crimes committed in Myrtle Point
and Coquille have doubled since
saloons were closed. These are facts
and speak louder than Mr. H. M.
Branham.
One word more hi regard to Mr.
Branham. He says that what he is
pleased to term "the saloon element"
has 'imposed" the burden of this
lection on the County; but at the
same time he says they will vote on
this question again next year. Who
are going to petition for an election
next year? Is it Mr. Branham and
his frinds? Why ise it an "Imposi
tion" for one side to ask for an elec
tion any more than for the other?
The local option law says: "When
ever a petition therefor, signed by
not less than 10 per cent of the regis
tered voters of any County be filea
with the Clerk an election shall be
called." The law says "registered
voters"; it does not say the signers
of such a petition must be prohibi
tionists. The law seems to recognize
that the rights of all are equal. No
COOS BAY BRIEFS
TIMES' TELEPHONES
Editorial Rooms - - - - 1331
Business Office - - - - 1331
Repair Wrecked Engine. Engine
No. 1 of the Coos Bay, Roseburg and
Eastern Railroad, which was pre
cipitated In the ditch a few days
ago, was brought into the shops yes
terday on a flat car. The engine is
badly battered up and will not bo
ready for the road for about three
months.
Redeck Flnt Cars. Two flat cars
aro being redecked at the car shops
and will be out in a few weeks.
Coal Drill. A diamond drill, to
be used In prospecting for coal, which
has been in the local car shops for
some time past, will soon be ready
for use, probably by the end of this
week.
Rock Quarry. Masters & McLnln
yesterday established a. camp on the
Steven Rogers place up Coos river,
where they are to work a rock quarry
this summer to supply the crusher In
this city. There are seven men and
a cook In the party.
jew
Tne nrst-Bcow oi rocs iur mu in
crusher, recently erected by Masters
& McLain, has been br6ught dofcn
from Coos river to the plant and will
soon be converted Into street sur-1
facing material. The crusher has,
not yet been tried. j
China Pheasants. W. C. Rose, of
Coquille, recently set five dozen
China pheasant eggs under four hens
and they are now beginning to hatch j
out. Mr. Rose will turn the young,
pheasants loose in the woods for the j
purpose of Increasing that variety or
bird game around the Coos Bay
country. The specie is raro around
here, but is abundant in tho Willa
mette valley. The birds multiply
rapidly.
whole Is opposed to prohibition. The
real question to be decided at this
one doubts that this county as a
election Is shall Coquille and Myr
tle Point have prohibition. The City
of Coquille, as expressed In its elec
tions for twenty years, is undoubt
edly opposed to prohibition, and in
favor of the license policy.
The voter should also remember
this: When you vote for county pro
hibition, you vote for prohibition In
your precinct, even when the county
as a whole goes "wet."
The local option law is so drawn
that it produces precinct prohibition
when it is not voted for. Let the
majority rule.
Walter Culln, M.D.
Robt. R. Watson,
H. W. Dunham,
L. H. Hazard,
A. S. Hammond,
E. D. Sperry, '
D. H. Johnson,
John Kroenberg,
H. J. Crippen,
T. J. Little,
W. Sinclair,
W. T. Kerr,
F. S. Slagle,
T. H. Mehl,
A. W. Johnson,
J. W. Leneve,
J. M. Nye, Jr.,
Geo. E. Peoples,
J. A. Collier,
A. J. Sherwood,
N. Lorenz,
W. H. Schroeder,
W. C. Rose,
W. H. Mansell,
E. C. Barker,
H. N. Lorenz,
Frank Morse,
L. Harlocker,
Art Club Meets. The members of
the Ladles' Art Club will hold their
next meeting with Mrs. Lando next
Friday afternoon. The nnnunl pic-1
nlc given by these ladles will bo
given some time in June, tho exact
date to be decided at this meeting.
Enlarge Hospital. Plans for an
addition to the Marshfleld General ,
Hospital have been completed, and
will be submitted to contractors for
bids. The hospital Is to be made1
large enough to take care of at least i
twice the number of patients that I
can now be accommodated there. A
new operation room is also Included
In the plan for the new part of tho
building.
Postponed Meeting. The City
Council will meet Friday night In
stead of tonight, as had been
planned. The change was made
owing to the fact that today is a ,
legal holiday.
Memorial Day. The banks will;
close today as Is the usual custom on
a legal holiday. They will bo closed
the entire day. Among the many'
launch ride picnics that will bo given
today will bo one to Charleston Bay
on the launch Gasgo. The launch
will loive Marshfteld at G o'clock this
tiio'iiing and will bu gone (he entire
luv
Chili Rehearsal. The members of
the Chaminade Club met last even
ing for their last rehearsal before tho
concert to be given next Wednesday
night in the Masonic Opera House.
The rehearsal was held in the Opera
House.
Ollice Force Move. The offlco
force of the C. A. Smith retail lum
ber yard has removed from Its for
mer quarters i;i the old Dean store
to (he new retail offlco building on
Broadway. Tho new office is quite
an improvement over theoldi"
as well as being much handler Jm
yard men. r t0 ll
Sirs. Fnrrhi Itcninips Mrs P
C. Fnrrln wns removd from her hnm
yesterdxy to tho Maishfleld Generf
Hospital for treatment.
To Alaska. W. A. Reed, who h
been in Marshfleld for somo ,!
visiting relatives and friends .,
leavo on tho Alliance Saturday r
Alaska via Portland. He will pr0h.
ably bo accompanied by his wife wh
has been visiting with her parent
for some weeks.
Repairing Building The bulldlne
occupied by the Pioneer market and
grocery on Front street, la receivnK
extensive repairs and an addition
The old front is being torn away, to
be replaced with a new one. A sec
ond story is to be added which mi
furnish a good room for lodge or
other like purpose. The present
sidewalk In front of tho property will
be replaced with a new one which
will be raised to grade, making quite
an improvement in that side of the
street. The plans for the second
story are being drawn by C. M. Hime
baugh. Increase Capacity. The barn at
the C. A. Smith retail yard Is being
enlarged to accommodate additional
live and rolling stock.
McDerby Wnnled. A State war
rant Is out for the arrest of P. e.
McDerby, for stealing personal prop
erty. McDerby Is quite well known
around the Bay, having for the past
several months been In this locality
playing the violin for dances and in
saloons. McDerby was leader of the
Irish Orchestra which has played at
so many dances during th past win
ter. Although officers all over the
State are on the lookout for the
man, no one has yet landed him be
hind the bars.
Coquille Flourishing. G. E. Peo
ples, manager of the O. K. Creamery
at Coquille, was a business visitor
In Marshfleld yesterday. Mr. Peoples
reports everything in a flourishing
condition in the Coquille Valley, and
among other things that he has had
more business so far this year than
ever before since he went there, three
years ago. Quito a lot of building is
reported by Mr. Peoples.
SHATSvOjf SALE NOtV FOR TUB
ClmniMiicle Club ConciYt nt X. 3.
HutlerKv y 5-30-1
WANTED-Quarrymen toUfrork at
tho McLaJh & Master's rcM crush
er in MasYfleld. 3-30-3
IHuHHI WBi lSiil iW IKainiH HBBr k t
wtmrjxammzc I
amsgsmreittiiiiM'yr:
tar.rcBMiiTiTssuimiifr
'SS5S?
Has be
-7tTAir viivirivi
y
lb
I ft
;
on the market two weeks and at the end oil the
FIRST WEEK
Contract had been let for three houses and the Marshf ield Land Company had let the contract for
a walk and car track to run from the deep water on Isthmus Inlet to the east street of Bay Park
Can you name another property that has accomplished that much the first week, now instead of
three houses we have six that are to be erected as quickly as possible that is at the end rf our
second week.
Everyoie is Delighted with the Prbperty
Call and let us show you the lots on which to build your home.
Edgar L
Wheeler
Hr